Volunteer Experience Manager

Animal Welfare League QLD; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fleet vehicle

Vet discounts

EAP

Ground-up role

Job summary

Animal Welfare League of Queensland (AWLQ) is seeking a Volunteer Experience Manager to design and embed a centralized volunteer experience framework across all sites on the Gold Coast, with travel to SEQ locations. Reporting to the Head of HR, you will lead a dedicated team to drive recruitment, onboarding, training, engagement, retention, and compliance to strengthen AWLQ’s capacity to save more lives.

This permanent full-time role offers a fleet vehicle for site travel, discounts on

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing, structuring, and scaling volunteer programmes in a medium-to-large non-profit.
• Familiarity with volunteer management software (e.g., Better Impact) and database administration.
• Solid grasp of WHS regulations, risk management and safeguarding practices.

Responsibilities

• Design and roll out a centralised Volunteer Management Framework across all AWLQ sites.
• Lead and mentor the Volunteer Experience team to achieve excellence.
• Scale the volunteer network across shelters, thrift shops, vet clinics and other areas.
• Establish data-tracking metrics, ensure WHS and safeguarding compliance, measure impact.

Skills

Volunteer program design

Non-profit leadership

Volunteer management software

WHS knowledge

Travel willingness

Tools

Better Impact

Job description

NFP | Permanent Full-time | 100k p.a. + Superannuation

Located in Coombabah on the Gold Coast - need to travel to AWLQ SEQ sites as necessary

About Us

At Animal Welfare League of Queensland (AWLQ), our vision is for every companion animal to have a safe and caring environment where their needs are met. We are driven by a commitment to integrity, compassion, innovation, and optimism. As a leader in the animal welfare sector, we're dedicated to a brighter future for both animals and our community.

The Opportunity

This is a pivotal role that AWLQ critically needs, an opportunity to shape the future of how we attract, support, engage and retain the people who generously give their time to our purpose. As Volunteer Experience Manager, you will bring structure, consistency and energy to a function that sits at the heart of our impact, ensuring every volunteer feels welcomed, prepared, valued and connected to the difference they are making for animals and the community.

Reporting to the Head of HR, you will lead a dedicated and compassionate team, including Volunteer Experience Coordinators and Volunteer Experience Support, while working closely with site leaders across AWLQ. Your focus will be to design and embed an organisation-wide volunteer experience framework that improves recruitment, onboarding, training, communication, engagement, retention, compliance and safety. This is a hands-on strategic role for someone who can influence, build trust and turn good intent into practical systems that help staff and volunteers work together as one team. Done well, your work will directly strengthen AWLQ's capacity, consistency and ability to save more lives.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and Structure: Design and roll out a centralised, best-practice Volunteer Management Framework across all AWLQ sites, setting the gold standard for policies, procedures, and training pathways.
• Lead and Inspire: Mentor and empower your direct team to achieve excellence and operational alignment.
• Scale the Volunteer Network: Implement innovative strategies to attract, engage, and retain passionate volunteers across our shelters, thrift shops, vet clinics, and other areas of volunteering needs as identified.
• Drive Data and Compliance: Establish robust data-tracking metrics, ensure compliance with WHS and safeguarding protocols, and measure the incredible economic and social impact of our volunteer workforce.
• Champion Culture: Act as an expert advisor on volunteer management, fostering a collaborative culture where employees and volunteers work seamlessly as one team for the animals.

Essential Skills and Attributes

• Proven experience designing, structuring, and scaling volunteer programmes (or similar community programmes) from the ground up within a medium-to-large non-profit or charity environment
• Familiarity with volunteer management software (e.g., Better Impact) and database administration
• A solid grasp of WHS regulations, risk management, and safeguarding practices
• Willingness to travel to AWLQ SEQ sites when required – a company fleet vehicle is provided when required to travel across sites
• A genuine passion for animal welfare and a deep alignment with AWLQ’s values of compassion, integrity, and dedication.

We Offer

• Fleet vehicle for site travel
• Discounts on veterinary services
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• The opportunity to build a volunteer function from the ground up, with genuine executive support

Equity

Diversity and inclusion are the principles guiding how we build our teams, cultivate our leaders and build a culture of belonging where differences are valued.