Senior Manager, Volunteer Engagement

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION: Senior Manager, Volunteer Engagement

DEPARTMENT : Strategy & Development

REPORTS TO: Senior Director, Workplace Giving

PAY GRADE: 7

STATUS: Full Time, Exempt

SALARY RANGE: $75,000-$75,000

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO

United Way of Metro Chicago is the largest private funder and most effective convener of human services in the Chicago region. United Way of Metro Chicago fights for the health, education, financial stability and safety of every person in every neighborhood across the Chicago region. We go beyond single-issue solutions and temporary fixes to impact millions of lives every year, unleashing the potential of greater Chicago…neighborhood by neighborhood.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Manager, Volunteer Engagement is responsible for advancing United Way's workplace engagement strategy by leading all volunteer engagement initiatives and serving as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of key corporate accounts. This individual will execute integrated corporate engagement and fundraising strategies including volunteerism, workplace campaigns, and donor stewardship while overseeing the planning and execution of all volunteer projects and cultivating strong relationships with corporate and nonprofit partners.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and support volunteer programs that engage donors and volunteers, offering both in-person and virtual experiences such as Days of Caring, Kit Packings, Lunch & Learns, Skilled-Based projects, and Donation Drives.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of all volunteer projects with corporate partners, ensuring timely and effective execution, with support from the Volunteer Coordinator and/or Corporate Relations Coordinator.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of principal and strategic corporate partnerships, where volunteer engagement is central to the corporate partnership, and drive successful workplace campaigns through relationship management, overall campaign strategy, and donor stewardship.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and professional development to the Volunteer Coordinator, ensuring high-quality volunteer engagement, effective program execution, and achievement of departmental goals.
• Partner with Community Strategy and Programs teams to engage with community organizations to assess their volunteer and resource needs and explore how United Way can support them.
• Evaluate and refine volunteer resource management processes to ensure effective tracking and recognition of volunteer activities.
• Manage and optimize a digital volunteer platform, including approving nonprofit partner opportunities, creating internal opportunities, and providing training to nonprofit partners.
• Oversee the Speakers Bureau program, including recruiting and training agency speakers and managing corporate team requests for speaker bookings.
• In partnership with the Senior Director of Workplace Giving, develop and oversee logistics for internal and external training sessions for volunteers, including creating training materials for volunteers.
• Collaborate with Development and Community Strategy colleagues on Pro Bono volunteer recruitment and engagement, and serve as a project liaison for the Bridge Builders Advisory Committee
• Co-manage the planning and execution of major fundraising, visibility, and volunteer events in partnership with the Events Manager, including the annual Stronger Neighborhoods Awards Luncheon, April Food Day, 9/11 Day of Service, and Uniting for the Holidays, ensuring seamless execution and meaningful community impact.

OTHER DUTIES

• The core responsibilities listed above are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned by Senior Management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required, along with 3-5 years of relevant experience in project management and/or volunteer coordination, event planning and/or comparable role.
• Proven experience in managing volunteer programs, event planning, or related roles.
• Highly organized, meticulous attention to detail, ability to multi-task, prioritize, delegate, and execute concurrent projects and day-to-day tasks within a fast-paced environment from inception to conclusion.
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit, with the ability to work well independently and collaborate within a team.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a customer service mindset and a track record of building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong presentation skills to various key stakeholders internally and externally.
• Strong management, leadership, team building, problem solving, critical thinking, and judgment skills.
• Knowledge of Chicago corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic communities a plus.
• Access to a personal car and the ability to attend corporate events and meetings, volunteer activations, site visits, and in-person meetings is required.
• Experience with volunteer engagement platforms and tools is a plus.
• Salesforce experience a plus.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Occasional evening and weekend work hours may be required to accommodate events and volunteer activities.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time and independently complete event set up that may require moving up to 40 pounds.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Guided by a clear set of Core Values and Behaviors – Passionate About the Work, Good Teammate, Being Curious, and Equity Minded , you will join an impressive group of individuals and contribute your diverse set of experiences, skills and characteristics to the organization.

• Accepts guidance and responds well to feedback.
• Displays maturity, good judgment, enthusiasm and personal motivation.
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to anticipate workload and effectively cultivate and leverage relationships with colleagues to meet deadlines.
• Collaborative entrepreneurial spirit, ability to multi-task and prioritize concurrent projects and day-to-day tasks within a high production and fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities effectively and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• Understands that during large volunteer events and busy times, work may be required outside of a 9am-5pm schedule; however, hours can be flexed for the remainder of the week when coordinated with supervisor.

BENEFITS OFFERED

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Disability Leave

• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Family Leave
• Employee Assistance Program

• 401k Plan
• Paid Time Off including: Personal Time, Sick Time & Paid Holidays

TO APPLY: Candidates must officially apply through our website with a cover letter and resume.

The responsibilities listed above are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work required in the role. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as assigned. We believe the term “diversity” incorporates all the characteristics that make us both alike and unique: our backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, lifestyles, identities, gender, points of view, approaches to solving problems, ways of working, and views of personal and career success. It is the intent of United Way to follow both the letter and the spirit of local, state, and federal laws governing Equal Opportunity Employment as those laws exist today and as they may change in the future.