Community, Participation & Volunteering Manager

NATIONAL TRUST; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a Community Engagement Lead to shape local involvement at multiple historic properties. This role focuses on establishing inclusive volunteering opportunities and fostering community partnerships. Ideal candidates will have experience in strategic decision-making and leading community participation initiatives. The position offers substantial perks, including a generous pension scheme, discounts, and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Gym and shopping discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Qualifications

• Ability to understand and respond to community needs through data-driven decisions.
• Experience creating opportunities for diverse groups to engage in volunteering.
• Knowledge of setting priorities using audience insight for improving public benefit.
• Ability to influence and build trust with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead a community-first approach to decisions at each property.
• Design inclusive volunteering opportunities based on community needs.
• Support partnerships for community-led projects and collaborative activities.

Skills

Strategic decision-making

Leading community initiatives

Building partnerships

Participatory methods

Coaching teams

Volunteer management

Cultural awareness

Job description

Important notice

In line with our redeployment policy,we’llprioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape how we work with and alongside local communities at three of our much-loved places: Basildon Park, Greys Court, and Nuffield Place.

What it's like to work here

Working in a team of two with the Community, Participation & Volunteering coordinator, you'll report into the General Manager.

The Thames Valley is a major tourist destination, with historic houses, parks and gardens, cycling, walking and boating on the river. It’s a beautiful area in which to live and work, with numerous small villages and towns in the countryside, yet good transport links to London by train and close to the east-west M4 motorway. The nearby thriving town of Reading with its range of housing types and prices, university and sporting facilities is the most important source for local visitors coming to the National Trust properties in this area. Basildon Park is just 12 miles from Greys Court, with nearby Nuffield Place – the third in the group, forming a close triangle of properties spilling out north across the valley.

What you'll be doing

You’ll lead a community-first approach—ensuring that local voices, experiences, and ideas guide our decisions and influence what happens at each property. You’ll design inclusive and flexible volunteering opportunities, both on-site and remotely, that reflect the diverse lifestyles and interests of the people around us. You’ll also support and co-create ways for individuals, groups, and partners to share their time, skills, and creativity—whether through community-led projects or collaborative activities.

This is a key role in helping us become more welcoming, relevant, and responsive to the communities we serve.

We don't require you to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Ability to use strategic outcomes and audience data to set clear priorities and make informed decisions
• Experience in leading inclusive and flexible volunteering and community participation initiatives, especially those that empower underrepresented groups
• A track record of building and managing strategic partnerships across public, private, and charitable sectors
• Deep knowledge and practical application of participatory methods in various contexts
• Ability to coach managers and teams through change
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing innovative, inclusive volunteering models that align with strategic outcomes and deliver measurable public benefit
• Ability to use empathy, openness, and cultural awareness to build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders, including volunteers, partners, and community groups

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• Ability to understand and respond to community needs by building relationships and using data to guide decisions.
• Experience creating opportunities for diverse groups to get involved, ensuring volunteering is accessible and meaningful.
• Knowledge of setting clear priorities using audience insight and lead change across teams to improve public benefit
• Ability to develop and manage partnerships that support shared goals and increase capacity for community impact.
• Ability to influence, coach, and build trust with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Experience in using research and analytics to identify trends, motivations, and barriers to participation.
• Ability to evaluate impact regularly and share learning to strengthen practices across the Trust and beyond.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places