Bilingual Manager of Communications & Volunteer Engagement
About Sacred Heart Center
Sacred Heart Center connects Latino families with tools to thrive and flourish. Our work manifests through a continuum of educational opportunities for adults, innovative programs for youth and children, and strategic partnerships to meet community needs. We envision a Richmond community that actively embraces each other in our shared humanity.
Position Overview
The Manager of Communications & Volunteer Engagement plays an essential role in strengthening Sacred Heart Center’s connections with volunteers, community members, partner organizations, and the broader Richmond community. This position is responsible for developing and coordinating volunteer engagement initiatives, supporting internal and external communications, promoting programs and services, and expanding community outreach efforts that advance the Center’s mission. The Manager works collaboratively with program staff, leadership, Reception, Development, and Operations to ensure that volunteer resources, communications, and outreach strategies align with organizational priorities and community needs. The ideal candidate is a bilingual, culturally responsive, organized, and proactive professional who enjoys building relationships, connecting people with opportunities, and creating meaningful community engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention strategy to support the Center’s programs, events, and organizational needs.
- Collaborate with Program Coordinators and department supervisors to identify volunteer needs, establish responsibilities, and coordinate appropriate placements.
- Recruit volunteers through community networks, local businesses, universities, faith-based organizations, civic groups, social media, and volunteer platforms.
- Serve as the primary contact for volunteer inquiries, interviews, onboarding, orientations, and placements.
- Coordinate bilingual volunteer orientations and training sessions that introduce the Center’s mission, values, programs, and expectations.
- Maintain updated volunteer descriptions, manuals, guidelines, and training materials.
- Coordinate volunteer schedules and assignments in collaboration with appropriate program supervisors.
- Develop volunteer appreciation and recognition initiatives to strengthen engagement and retention.
- Maintain accurate volunteer profiles, service hours, participation records, and relevant documentation in Bloomerang.
- Gather volunteer feedback and identify opportunities to improve the volunteer experience.
- Ensure volunteers complete required background checks, clearances, and other documentation in accordance with Center and Diocese policies.
- Support staff in establishing clear volunteer supervision, safety expectations, and communication procedures.
2. Communications & Public Engagement
- Develop and implement a communications plan that supports the Center’s mission, programs, services, events, and community initiatives.
- Collaborate with leadership, Development, and program teams to ensure consistent, accurate, culturally appropriate, and timely communication.
- Draft, edit, translate, and distribute bilingual communications, including newsletters, announcements, flyers, program updates, volunteer opportunities, and community messages.
- Coordinate content for the Center’s website and social media platforms, ensuring information remains current and accessible.
- Promote educational programs, community workshops, special events, and volunteer opportunities through appropriate communication channels.
- Collect stories, testimonials, photographs, and program highlights, with appropriate consent, to showcase the Center’s community impact.
- Assist with the development of outreach materials, presentations, and promotional campaigns.
- Support internal communications to improve coordination, information sharing, and awareness of organizational activities.
- Collaborate with the Development team to promote fundraising events, volunteer opportunities, and community initiatives.
- Maintain consistent messaging that reflects the Center’s mission, values, and commitment to the Latino community.
- Monitor communication effectiveness and recommend improvements to strengthen community awareness and engagement.
- Collaborate with the Director of Programs and Program Managers to gather relevant program information, updates, and identify potential guests for the weekly radio show .
3. Community Outreach & Partnerships
- Develop and implement outreach strategies to increase community awareness of Sacred Heart Center’s programs, services, and opportunities for involvement.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with community organizations, schools, universities, businesses, faith communities, and other stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities for new partnerships that support program participation, volunteer recruitment, and community engagement.
- Represent Sacred Heart Center at community meetings, outreach events, resource fairs, and networking opportunities and coordinate coverage for community events (with volunteers and/or staff)
- Collaborate with Program Coordinators to promote program enrollment, workshops, educational opportunities, and community services.
- Help identify community interests, emerging needs, and potential opportunities for collaboration.
- Coordinate outreach activities that encourage greater participation from Latino families and other community members.
- Maintain a database or tracking system of community partners, outreach activities, contacts, and follow-up actions.
- Support the development and coordination of collaborative activities with external organizations.
- Facilitate communication between community partners and appropriate staff to ensure timely follow-up and effective coordination.
- Strengthen relationships with existing partners while identifying new opportunities to expand the Center’s reach and impact.
- Develop and maintain volunteer policies, procedures, and operational guidelines in collaboration with appropriate departments.
- Coordinate volunteer onboarding, required documentation, and safety training.
- Ensure volunteer activities follow Sacred Heart Center and Catholic Diocese policies, including safeguarding requirements.
- Communicate expectations regarding confidentiality, professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and appropriate boundaries.
- Work with program supervisors to ensure volunteers receive the necessary guidance and supervision.
- Promote a welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for volunteers, staff, and community members.
- Identify volunteer-related concerns and communicate them promptly to the appropriate supervisor or department.
5. Events, Operations & Cross-Departmental Support
- Coordinate volunteer participation in organizational events, fundraising activities, workshops, and community initiatives.
- Collaborate with Operations to organize group volunteer projects, service days, and special activities.
- Assist with event communications, volunteer assignments, scheduling, and logistical coordination.
- Support the organization of volunteer activities related to in-kind donations, the community garden, and other designated projects.
- Work closely with Development, Programs, and Operations to ensure events and outreach activities are well coordinated.
- Participate in staff meetings, planning sessions, and cross-departmental initiatives.
- Help develop procedures that improve communication, collaboration, and operational efficiency.
- Support special projects and other duties related to the position, as assigned by the supervisor.
6. Data Management, Reporting & Evaluation
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date volunteer information and service records in Bloomerang.
- Track outreach activities, community partnerships, communication initiatives, and volunteer engagement outcomes.
- Prepare regular reports highlighting volunteer participation, community outreach efforts, and communications activities.
- Provide relevant data and information to support grant reporting, program evaluations, and organizational planning.
- Establish and monitor measurable goals for volunteer recruitment, retention, outreach, and communication strategies.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of volunteer engagement, outreach, and communication strategies, and recommend improvements to strengthen their impact.
- Ensure confidentiality and proper handling of volunteer, participant, and organizational information in accordance with Sacred Heart Center policies and procedures.
- Supervise and support reception staff, ensuring effective daily front desk operations, consistent communication, appropriate visitor services, and coordination with other departments.
Keys to Success
- Strong commitment to Sacred Heart Center’s mission and the communities it serves.
- Ability to build trusting relationships with volunteers, staff, community members, and external partners.
- Excellent communication skills in both English and Spanish.
- A collaborative approach that encourages teamwork, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to balance competing priorities.
- Initiative, creativity, flexibility, and solution-oriented thinking.
- Cultural sensitivity and a commitment to inclusive community engagement.
- Ability to follow through on commitments and communicate progress proactively.
- Professionalism, discretion, accountability, and attention to detail.
- A welcoming, compassionate, and service-oriented approach to working with diverse communities.
Experience & Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, including strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, nonprofit management, community engagement, public relations, human services, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- At least two years of relevant experience in volunteer coordination, communications, community outreach, nonprofit programs, or related work.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with volunteers, community organizations, and external partners.
- Strong writing, editing, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Experience coordinating multiple projects and managing deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and digital communication platforms.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for organizational events and community activities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
- Experience in volunteer recruitment, training, and retention.
- Familiarity with Bloomerang or similar volunteer management and CRM systems.
- Experience managing social media content, website updates, newsletters, and community communications.
- Familiarity with Canva or similar graphic design tools.
- Experience organizing community outreach activities, workshops, and special events.
- Experience developing community partnerships and representing organizations at external meetings.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary Range 55,000– 75,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Sacred Heart Center offers a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off and access to health and dental insurance plans.
Job Classification:
Full-time,
FLSA Status
Exempt
Schedule:
40 hours per week, some evenings and weekends required