Head of Volunteer and Church Engagement

Prison Fellowship England & Wales; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization is seeking a dynamic Head of Volunteer & Church Engagement to lead volunteer management and partnerships with churches. This strategic role involves inspiring and mobilizing volunteers across England and Wales, requiring strong communication and leadership skills. Experience in a faith-based organization and volunteer management is essential. The successful candidate will engage with churches, representing the organization at various events, and develop church engagement strategies to enhance community involvement. Hybrid working with travel required.

Qualifications

• Experience in volunteer management and leadership development.
• Strong communication and public-speaking skills.
• Good understanding of the UK Church.
• Experience in a faith-based organisation is essential.
• Experience in prisons or criminal justice is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop volunteer engagement and church partnerships.
• Shape volunteer recruitment and induction processes.
• Cultivate relationships with churches and church leaders.
• Develop and lead church engagement strategy.
• Ensure alignment of volunteers with PF’s programmes.

Skills

Volunteer management

Leadership development

Strong communication skills

Public speaking

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Job description

Prison Fellowship (PF) is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated Head of Volunteer & Church Engagement to lead and develop our work with volunteers and churches across England and Wales.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, this role offers both strategic influence and hands‑on leadership. You will shape the development of PF’s volunteer engagement and church partnerships, ensuring that volunteers are inspired, equipped and mobilised to deliver transformational support for people in prison and their families.

You will lead volunteer recruitment, induction and leadership development, supporting a large and geographically dispersed volunteer base. Working closely with colleagues, you will help ensure volunteers are aligned with PF’s programmes and priorities, while developing new and innovative ways for people to engage in PF’s work.

A key element of the role is church engagement. You will develop and lead PF’s church engagement strategy, building and sustaining strong relationships with churches across denominations. You will represent PF at churches, events and festivals, and work with the Chief Executive to cultivate relationships with senior and denominational church leaders.

About you

The successful candidate will have experience in volunteer management and leadership development, strong communication and public‑speaking skills, and a good understanding of the UK Church. You will be a collaborative and resilient leader, able to think strategically while delivering operationally. Experience in a faith‑based organisation is essential, and experience in prisons or criminal justice is desirable.

Working arrangements

The role requires regular travel across England and Wales, flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed, and operates on a hybrid basis combining national travel, home working and PF’s London office.

Genuine Occupational Requirement

This role is subject to a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the post holder to be a practising Christian, in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.