Director of Volunteer Program and Engagement

This full-time salaried position contributes to the fulfillment of Open Arms’ mission by leading both the day-to-day operations and strategic development of Open Arms’ exceptional Volunteer Program. The Director of Volunteer Program and Engagement will manage and oversee a very unique, highly relational and operations-critical volunteer program. Working in close collaboration with the Chief People Officer, the Director will shape a volunteer experience that is welcoming, mission-centered, and inclusive. The person in this role will also lead strategic initiatives to expand and enhance volunteer engagement, community partnerships, and the program’s alignment with organizational needs. The Director also serves as a visible and engaged presence across Open Arms’ sites, cultivating meaningful relationships with volunteers, staff, and community partners.

Our ideal candidate is:

• A mission-driven leader with experience managing large, high-volume volunteer programs (1,000+ annually) in a nonprofit or service-based environment.
• A connector and community-builder who is comfortable setting and expecting the highest standard of radical hospitality, high customer service, and creating a one-of-a-kind volunteer experience.
• A relational and compassionate team builder who brings a people and mission first mindset to leadership, creating a team and environment that builds strong relationships with volunteers, staff, and external partners to create shared ownership and trust in the mission.
• A systems-thinker and strategic planner who can lead both long-term volunteer engagement
  strategies and daily program operations across multiple sites.
• A skilled supervisor with experience managing and coaching staff, supporting team development, and driving a culture of learning and accountability.
• A data-informed decision-maker with the ability to track participation trends, measure program
  impact, and implement improvements based on feedback and outcomes.
• A confident communicator who can represent Open Arms with warmth in diverse settings, from volunteer orientations to public events.
• Someone with high cultural competence, with experience fostering belonging across identities and communities, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• A flexible and solutions-oriented leader who stays calm under pressure, proactively addresses
  challenges, and brings clarity and creativity to complex problems.
• A resilient and adaptable team member who thrives in a fast-paced environment and brings positivity and focus to high-demand situation

Success in This Role Looks Like:

• Delivering a seamless, welcoming, and high-impact volunteer experience that reflects Open Arms’ values of community, compassion, and hospitality.
• Establishing Open Arms as a volunteer program model known for excellence, accessibility, and transformational community connections.
• Ensuring daily operational needs are consistently met across all volunteer-supported functions while maintaining high satisfaction and retention among volunteers.
• Creating a team culture of care, accountability, and innovation that empowers staff and fosters collaboration across departments.
• Building strong partnerships with schools, corporations, and community organizations that expand recruitment pipelines and deepen engagement.
• Using metrics, surveys, and qualitative insights to evaluate program effectiveness and guide continuous improvement.

Requirements:

• 6+ years of experience successfully leading the volunteer engagement strategy and operations for programs engaging 1,000+ volunteers annually.
• 7+ years’ experience in volunteer program management.
• 3+ years of experience directly supervising multiple staff members.
• Demonstrated experience advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within volunteer programs or organizational culture preferred.
• Experience creating and executing volunteer trainings and appreciation programs.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage
  and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Experience with volunteer databases.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams, drive change, and foster a positive work culture.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and develop data driven solutions.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Strong customer service skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Solutions-oriented approach.
• Strong creative problem-solving skills.
• Great organizational skills and ability to adapt quickly to the changing needs of the organization.
• Ability to work successfully both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to create and contribute to a positive team environment.
• Confident communication, writing, public speaking and human relation skills and a personal presence that garners respect from volunteers and the public at large.
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and discretion.
• Excellent communication skills and outstanding human relations skills to ensure success working with a diverse base of volunteers, staff and clients.
• Excellent presentation skills, with demonstrated success at external and internal presentations.
• Ability and flexibility to work at two different physical campuses – one in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul.
• Flexible availability to work on site during hours of operation, including evenings and weekends.
• Reliable transportation and active Minnesota driver’s license unrestricted for work related driving.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain a positive attitude in stressful situations and during busy periods
• Sensitivity and commitment to diversity and able to work respectfully with wide array of co-workers and members of the community.
• A passion for the mission and values of Open Arms.
•  

Reports To: Chief People Officer
Compensation Range: $75,000 to $85,000 annually        
Locations: Minneapolis and St. Paul
Hours:40 hours per week

Go HERE to learn more about Open Arms. 

If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to join the amazing Open Arms team, please send resume and cover letter detailing pertinent experience to:

Open Arms of Minnesota Human Resources
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 612.872.0866
Mail: 2500 Bloomington Avenue S, Minneapolis MN 55404