B irm ingham  B otanical Gardens is look ing for an experienced and enthusiastic
Volunteer Manager.

The Gardens are in a period of change and have recently secured a Round 2 National Lottery
Heritage Fund (NLHF) grant towards a £19m capital project. The project aims to restore the
historic glasshouses, upgrade site infrastructure and displays, and improve the visitor experience for
all.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG) are keen to see applications from people of all backgrounds
and communities and are committed to representing the diverse nature of the city.  The Gardens
look forward to receiving applications from all suitable candidates and will conduct inclusive
recruitment processes based on attitude, experience, and qualifications. BBG are also committed to
ensuring that no-one invited to interview should be excluded due to financial circumstances and will
reimburse anyone attending interview (related costs must be supported by receipts) if required.

R ole Title

Contract Ty pe

Team

R eports to

Salary

 Volunteer Manager

0.6FTE (3 days per week)

Part-time fixed-term for 3.5 years

Engagement & Learning

Head of Engagement & Learning

Salary £30,000 pro-rata

Date issued/revised

  January 2025

This post is funded by  The National Lottery  Heritage Fund as part of the Gardens ’
‘Growing Our Green Heritage’ project .

R ole P urpose
This important new post has been created to support BBG’s planned £19m major National Lottery
Heritage Fund ‘Growing Our Green Heritage’ development project and is needed to support the
Engagement & Learning Team and essential to BBG’s charitable purpose, objectives, and
development.

The Volunteer Manager will lead the development of an exciting, best-practice volunteer programme
at BBG.  The role is instrumental in engaging both our existing core audiences and our new and
developing audiences and will play a key part in the successful delivery of our stage 2 National
Lottery Heritage Fund Activity Plan.

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The vision for volunteering at BBG is to:

•  embed volunteering to engage new and developing audiences at the Gardens

•  utilise volunteering to support existing core audiences to come on the journey with us

•

•

activate the health and wellbeing benefits of volunteering

implement volunteering roles across all aspects the business

•  establish and embed a diverse volunteering team

•  develop accessible supported volunteering programmes

•  offer routes to further engagement and employment

Responsibilities will include developing and overseeing a dynamic, evolving, values-led volunteering
programme that prioritises volunteer experience, widening access, and integrates with our
community engagement programmes.  The postholder will understand and place emphasis on
nurturing inspiring opportunities for volunteers to connect and create meaningful interactions with
the Gardens and our associated heritage stories, whilst also contributing their voices to help shape
our ‘Growing Our Green Heritage’ project.

The postholder will be responsible for the establishing the systems and processes required to
ensure a successful volunteering programme, leading on volunteer recruitment initiatives and
supporting BBG teams to successfully work with volunteers.

The postholder will play a critical role in documenting and evaluating the outcomes of this
programme.

Effective communication and stakeholder management skills are essential for navigating the
complexities of this role within a dynamic live project environment.  The ability to manage your own
workload, manage a diverse cohort of volunteers, and work across teams is essential.

Reporting to, and working closely with, the Head of Engagement and Learning (HE&L), the
postholder will also provide operational and administrative support to the HE&L.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated, highly organised, person-centred professional to join
BBG at a pivotal moment and contribute to making real change happen as we deliver our
programmes for the future.

Job Sum m ary /Key  R esponsibilities

The postholder will:

•  be responsible for managing the successful development and delivery of the volunteering

programme for our capital project, as outlined in our Stage 2 Activity Plan.

•  develop and rollout a Volunteering Strategy and a Volunteering Plan for BBG.

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•  work with multiple teams across the organisation to plan and embed the strategic vision and

operational facilitation of the volunteering programme.

•

lead on the effective recruitment, training and management of volunteers.

•  develop and implement appropriate and sustainable management, supervisory and appraisal

processes for volunteers across the organisation.

•  develop and implement effective and accessible recruitment processes and procedures.

•

•

lead on initiatives to diversify BBG’s volunteer cohort, working closely with the H&EL and
the Engagement and Learning team to embed volunteering within our community
engagement programmes.

lead on the implementation of accessible volunteering opportunities and work awareness
programmes at BBG.

•  develop and manage the training and CPD programmes for volunteers.

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•

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implement a regular programme of information sharing/thank you events for volunteers.

implement a regular programme of volunteer communications to maintain contact with
volunteers and share good news stories internally and externally, liaising with the Marketing
and Communications Manager.

implement mechanisms to regularly gather feedback from volunteers and BBG staff, and lead
on improving and developing the programme in a responsive and agile way.

•  manage the DBS checking of volunteers as required.

•  be responsible for ensuring the volunteering programme is documented and evaluation data

is collected, as agreed with the HE&L and relevant consultants.

•  deliver activities within an agreed budget, reporting on budget as required by the HE&L.
•
contribute to fundraising activity and funding applications, as required by the HE&L.

•

contribute to evaluation and reports as required by the HE&L.

•  ensure that the volunteer programme adheres to relevant BBG policies and procedures,

contributing to a review of these as required by the HE&L.

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initiate, build and sustain positive engagement relationships across the city and region.

take part in the wider professional community locally, nationally and internationally, for
example by being a part of sector networks, professional associations, conferences, etc.

P rincipal A ccountabilities

•  To work in accordance with BBG’s Values and Behaviours

•  Positively contributing to ensuring that the BBG work environment is one that supports

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion for all – including, but not restricted to: staff, volunteers,
trainees and apprenticeships, members of the public.

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•  Be an enthusiastic and positive ambassador for BBG, enhancing the visitor experience by

contributing to public engagement, interpretation, and marketing.

•  Keep abreast of relevant developments in botanic gardens, and the volunteering, community

engagement, heritage and cultural sectors, maintaining up to date knowledge and
understanding.

•  Proactively engage in continuous CPD, seeking out opportunities and positively engaging in

learning and development opportunities in consultation with the HE&L.

This job includes the following haz ards or safety -critical activ ities:

•  Lone Working (infrequent)
•  Work in hot or cold environments

Manual handling (infrequent).

P ER SON SP ECIFICA TION

A rea

Essential

Desirable

Knowledge

•  Proven expertise of best practice in volunteer

management is required.

Experience

•  Experience of managing volunteers, or
equivalent and translatable managerial
experience

•  Experience of developing and sustaining

relationships with communities or external
stakeholders.

•  Experience of delivering to deadlines.

•  An understanding of the not-
for-profit sector, preferably
knowledge and interest in the
botanical heritage and
environmental sectors.

•  Knowledge and expertise in
volunteering in botanical
gardens, outdoor settings or
heritage settings

•  Knowledge and expertise in

strategies to diversify
volunteering/embed
accessibility

•  A good understanding of the

local environment, knowledge
of Birmingham’s communities
and the issues affecting
communities

•  Experience of developing and

delivering volunteering
activities for and with diverse
communities.

•  Demonstrable success in

volunteer recruitment, utilising
innovative/accessible methods

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•  Experience of working with a wide range of
age groups and a diverse range of different
demographic groups

Qualifications

•  English and Maths to GCSE/ Level 2 or
equivalent demonstrable skillset.

Sk ills

•  Ability to understand the history and current

journey of BBG and communicate it effectively
to diverse communities, both new and existing.

•  Ability to develop and deliver engaging
programmes with diverse communities.

•  Ability to communicate effectively with

members of the public and other members of
staff.

•  Ability to manage people effectively, in an

inspiring and supporting way

where required to diversify
reach

•  Experience in establishing and

managing new team
structures, including fostering
cross-departmental
collaboration to align systems,
processes and goals.

•  Proven track record of

meeting or exceeding Key
Performance Indicators
(KPIs).

•  Experience of contributing to

communications and
marketing outputs and/or
working effectively with
communications and
marketing colleagues

•  Degree or equivalent

experience in HR/people
management, engagement,
education, horticulture,
heritage or culture

•  Specific qualifications in
horticulture, community
engagement, education,
volunteering

•  Understanding of the
environmental and
sustainability context of BBG

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•  Ability to nurture and develop positive
relationships with diverse audiences,
community partners and external stakeholders

•  Ability to deliver high quality and productive

work.

•  Ability to maintain accurate records.

•  Creative and flexible approach

•  Person-centred, collaborative approach and the

ability to inspire others

•  Exemplary communication skills; ability to

effectively listen and verbally communicate with
a diverse range of people in a range of settings
to inspire and understand

•  Skilled in use of IT/systems information

management.

•  Excellent organisational skills; ability to meet

deadlines

•  Ability to multi-task, prioritise and solve

problems on own initiative

•  Ability to work independently and in a team

and know when each approach is appropriate

•  Ability to coordinate resources and work to a

given budget

A ccountabilities

•  The Volunteer Manager will deliver strategic engagement outputs aligned to the Round 2

Activity Plan

•  The Volunteer Manager will manage volunteers
•  The Volunteer Manager will develop and adhere to all BBG policies and procedures
•  The Volunteer Manager will be expected to work at times that suit the audiences they are

engaging

The Volunteer Manager will demonstrate an active commitment to Equality, Diversity and inclusion.

Term s of appointm ent:

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•  The postholder will be required to work in person at Birmingham Botanical Gardens to

deliver our Volunteer programme, with the possibility of working remotely
approximately 25% of the time, subject to the requirements of the role and the
business.

•  Some flexible weekend, bank holiday, and after-hours working is required in this role.

•  The Volunteer Manager may be required to work offsite e.g. attending community

events

•  The postholder will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

check.

What we can offer:

•  Pension through Royal London

•  24hour Employee Assistance Programme through BUPA

•  20 days annual leave allowance, plus an extra day for your birthday!

•  Company sick pay

•  Free parking is generally available onsite

•  Tea/Coffee and cold drinks provided during the working day

•  Discounts & Tickets: 20% discount in the gift shop; 10% discount in the Cafe; tickets for
immediate family into the Gardens and special offers for one-off events throughout the
year

Enquiries:

If y ou hav e any questions, wish to hav e an inform al discussion about the role, or
would lik e access support to apply  for this role in a different way , please em ail
jobs@birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk

T o apply : Please send your CV and covering letter to jobs@birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk

A pplication deadline: 7th October 2025, midday
Interv iews: Likely to be 21st October 2025

Alternative dates for interview will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Online interviews will be considered on request to accommodate specific travel or access needs.

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