Manager of Volunteer & Employee Experience

Interlochen Center for the Arts; Interlochen (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Interlochen Center for the Arts seeks a Manager, Volunteer & Employee Experience to steward volunteer and employee programs, aligning with our mission and values from summer camp housing logistics to staff culture events. This role blends strategic design with hands-on execution, demanding comfort with data, calendars, and relationship-building across volunteers, staff, and leadership.

You will oversee housing logistics, engagement calendars, newsletters, budgets, and intern mentorship, driving

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience required.
• Minimum 3 years in volunteer management or employee engagement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including newsletters.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HRIS tools.
• Ability to handle confidential records and FERPA-related compliance.

Responsibilities

• Design, manage, and improve volunteer program infrastructure and opportunities.
• Lead volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and background checks.
• Develop volunteer communications calendar and events.
• Oversee housing logistics for residential employees and summer staff.
• Create and execute annual employee engagement calendar and newsletters.
• Manage budgets for volunteer and employee experience programs.
• Supervise summer intern and mentor performance feedback.
• Track KPIs and report program data to HR leadership.

Skills

Communication skills

MS Office

FERPA knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, or related field

Tools

HRIS systems

Form tools

Communication platforms

Job description

The Manager, Volunteer & Employee Experience serves as Interlochen's primary steward of two essential people programs: the volunteer experience and the employee experience. This role is responsible for building and sustaining a vibrant, well organized volunteer program that reflects Interlochen's mission and values, while also designing and executing initiatives that deepen employee connection and belonging, from summer camp housing logistics to all staff culture events.

This is a relationship driven, operationally savvy role that requires both strategic vision and meticulous follow through. The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between program design and spreadsheet level details, and brings genuine passion for the kind of human experience that makes an organization like Interlochen extraordinary.

Volunteer Program Management/Experience (50%)

• Design, manage, and continuously improve Interlochen's volunteer program infrastructure, including individual and group volunteer opportunities.
• Lead volunteer recruitment, onboarding, orientation, and compliance, including administration of the volunteer background check process.
• Develop and maintain the volunteer communications calendar: quarterly newsletters, opportunity updates, appreciation communications, and milestone recognition.
• Coordinate and host volunteer orientations on a monthly cycle; serve as the primary point of contact for all active volunteers.
• Plan and execute Volunteer Appreciation Events.
• Track and report on volunteer program KPIs including retention, hour volume, compliance rates, and satisfaction scores; present data quarterly.
• Leverage automation tools to streamline onboarding workflows, recognition triggers, compliance tracking, and communications distribution.
• Manage the nonprofit fundraising program of community volunteer groups that support the summer Interlochen Arts Festival.
• Conduct the annual volunteer needs assessment and align volunteers with matches.
• Manage the Information Booth

Employee Experience (40%)

• Oversee summer camp housing assignment logistics for residential employees, coordinating assignments, communications, arrival/departure logistics, and issue resolution, in close partnership with HR leadership and campus operations.
• Develop and execute the annual employee engagement calendar, including all-staff events, seasonal celebrations, and recognition programs.
• Co-chair the Fun Committee; serve as HR's primary culture champion, ensuring events are inclusive, mission-aligned, and well attended.
• Produce and distribute the HR employee newsletter; maintain a consistent editorial calendar and content voice.
• Support the annual engagement action plan.
• Contribute to HR team projects, planning cycles, and all-hands initiatives as a collaborative team member.
• Manage program budgets for both volunteer and employee experience functions; track expenditures and provide regular updates to HR leadership.
• Supervise and mentor a seasonal summer intern; provide structured assignments and performance feedback.
• Relationship Management: Builds genuine, trust-based relationships with volunteers, staff, and leadership; creates experiences that make people feel seen and valued.
• Operational Excellence: Manages complex, multi-track logistics with precision; builds systems and processes that scale without dropping details.
• Communication & Storytelling: Writes and speaks clearly and compellingly across audiences; produces newsletters and communications that are read and acted upon.
• Program Design: Develops volunteer and employee experience programs with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and continuous improvement cycles.
• Data Literacy: Tracks KPIs, reads trends, and presents program data in ways that drive decisions; comfortable with dashboards and reporting tools.
• Adaptability: Thrives in the seasonal rhythm of an arts organization; flexes between planning and execution as the calendar demands.
• Mission Alignment: Connects personally with Interlochen’s mission of transforming lives through arts education; brings authentic enthusiasm to culture-building work.
• Compliance Mindset: Understands the stakes of working in a minor-serving environment; proactively maintains documentation, attestations, and program records.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• 3+ years of experience in volunteer management, employee engagement, event coordination, or a closely related function.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent programs with competing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience producing newsletters, communications, or program materials.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; comfort with HRIS systems, form tools, and communication platforms.
• Ability to maintain confidential records and work within FERPA and related compliance frameworks.

Preferred:

• Experience in arts, education, or nonprofit organizations; familiarity with residential/campus operational environments.
• Experience with volunteer management systems (VMS), HRIS platforms, or CRM tools.
• CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) credential or working toward certification.
• Background in housing administration, event planning, or internal communications.