Manager of Volunteer & Employee Experience (Year-Round)

Job Description

Job Description

The Manager of Volunteer & Employee Experience serves as Interlochen's primary steward of two essential people programs: the volunteer experience and the employee experience. This role is responsible for building and sustaining a vibrant, well organized volunteer program that reflects Interlochen's mission and values, while also designing and executing initiatives that deepen employee connection and belonging, from summer camp housing logistics to all staff culture events. This is a relationship driven, operationally savvy role that requires both strategic vision and meticulous follow through. The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between program design and spreadsheet level details, and brings genuine passion for the kind of human experience that makes an organization like Interlochen extraordinary.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Volunteer Program Management/Experience (50%)

• Design, manage, and continuously improve Interlochen's volunteer program infrastructure, including individual and group volunteer opportunities.
• Lead volunteer recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and compliance, including administration of the volunteer background check process.
• Develop and maintain the volunteer communications calendar: quarterly newsletters, opportunity updates, appreciation communications, and milestone recognition.
• Coordinate and host volunteer orientations on a monthly cycle; serve as the primary point of contact for all active volunteers.
• Plan and execute Volunteer Appreciation Events.
• Track and report on volunteer program KPIs including retention, hour volume, compliance rates, and satisfaction scores; present data quarterly.
• Leverage automation tools to streamline onboarding workflows, recognition triggers, compliance tracking, and communications distribution.
• Manage the nonprofit fundraising program of community volunteer groups that support the summer Interlochen Arts Festival.
• Conduct the annual volunteer needs assessment and align volunteers with matches.
• Manage the Information Booth.

Employee Experience (40%)

• Oversee summer camp housing assignment logistics for residential employees, coordinating assignments, communications, arrival/departure logistics, and issue resolution, in close partnership with HR leadership and campus operations.
• Develop and execute the annual employee engagement calendar, including all-staff events, seasonal celebrations, and recognition programs.
• Co-chair the Fun Committee; serve as HR's primary culture champion, ensuring events are inclusive, mission-aligned, and well attended.
• Produce and distribute the HR employee newsletter; maintain a consistent editorial calendar and content voice.
• Support the annual engagement action plan.

HR Team Collaboration & Administration (10%)

• Contribute to HR team projects, planning cycles, and all-hands initiatives as a collaborative team member.
• Manage program budgets for both volunteer and employee experience functions; track expenditures and provide regular updates to HR leadership.
• Supervise and mentor a seasonal summer intern; provide structured assignments and performance feedback.
• Maintain confidential records in accordance with Interlochen policy and applicable Michigan law.

Key Competencies

• Relationship Management: Builds genuine, trust-based relationships with volunteers, staff, and leadership; creates experiences that make people feel seen and valued.
• Operational Excellence: Manages complex, multi-track logistics with precision; builds systems and processes that scale without dropping details.
• Communication & Storytelling: Writes and speaks clearly and compellingly across audiences; produces newsletters and communications that are read and acted upon.
• Program Design: Develops volunteer and employee experience programs with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and continuous improvement cycles.
• Data Literacy: Tracks KPIs, reads trends, and presents program data in ways that drive decisions; comfortable with dashboards and reporting tools.
• Adaptability: Thrives in the seasonal rhythm of an arts organization; flexes between planning and execution as the calendar demands.
• Mission Alignment: Connects personally with Interlochen's mission of transforming lives through arts education; brings authentic enthusiasm to culture-building work.
• Compliance Mindset: Understands the stakes of working in a minor-serving environment; proactively maintains documentation, attestations, and program records.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• 3+ years of experience in volunteer management, employee engagement, event coordination, or a closely related function.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent programs with competing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience producing newsletters, communications, or program materials.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; comfort with HRIS systems, form tools, and communication platforms.
• Ability to maintain confidential records and work within FERPA and related compliance frameworks.

Preferred:

• Experience in arts, education, or nonprofit organizations; familiarity with residential/campus operational environments.
• Experience with volunteer management systems (VMS), HRIS platforms, or CRM tools.
• CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) credential or working toward certification.
• Background in housing administration, event planning, or internal communications.

Application Materials Required:

• Resume
• Cover Letter