Volunteer Programs Manager

National Museum of Wildlife Art; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Paid Vacation & Sick Days

Paid Holidays

401(K) with Employer Match

Free Downtown Parking & Transit

Museum Admission

Employee Assistance Program

Volunteer opportunities

Dog friendly work environment

Job summary

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum seeks an experienced Volunteer Programs Manager to oversee all aspects of its volunteer program. With 110+ teens and adults, you will recruit, train, schedule, recognize, and assess volunteers, while building partnerships and guiding program strategy.

Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential. The role reports to the Education Department and involves coordinating Teen Team activities, program planning, and stakeholder

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, arts administration, library and information studies, museum studies, sociology, or related field
• Minimum 5 years supervisory experience
• Experience with volunteers in nonprofit/educational settings
• Experience with training or teaching

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement volunteer recruitment strategies and information sessions
• Maintain corps of 125+ volunteers
• Oversee volunteer training, policy materials, onboarding, and background checks
• Schedule volunteers by skill and department
• Communicate essential museum information to volunteers
• Plan enrichment activities and annual volunteer recognition events
• Maintain volunteer database and sign-in records for reporting
• Evaluate program effectiveness and provide coaching and conflict management
• Develop partnerships to promote volunteerism
• Manage the volunteer program budget and leadership coaching
• Support Teen Team in partnership with Youth and Family Programs
• Contribute to education program planning and meetings

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational Skills

Volunteer Management

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s degree (related field)

Tools

Volgistics

Job description

Company Overview

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been called the “Smithsonian of country music,” celebrated for its broad cultural impact, educational mission, and unrivaled collection of historically important artifacts. Chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964, the Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that documents and interprets the history of country music. The Museum collects objects and archival materials that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music and provides diverse learning opportunities through educational programs, publications, and exhibitions.

First opened in 1967 on Nashville’s Music Row, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum launched its current downtown location in 2001. In 2014, the Museum unveiled a $100 million expansion that doubled its footprint. The Museum now encompasses 350,000 square feet of exhibition galleries, archival storage, retail stores, and event space. The Museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and many others recorded. In addition, the Museum offers the Taylor Swift Education Center for students, teachers, and families, and dedicated performance spaces in the CMA Theater and Ford Theater, both of which regularly host nationally recognized live music and cultural events.

In 2024, the Museum was awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts by President Joe Biden. The medal is the highest award given to artists and arts institutions by the United States government. The White House Citation, which accompanied the medal, recognized the Museum’s work, which “preserves history, honors giants of the genre, and inspires future generations to write their own songs about the American story.”

What We Offer for Full-Time Staff

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Options
• Competitive Pay
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Paid Holidays (14) and Floating Holidays (2)
• 401(K) with Up To 3% Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program (Free Counseling and Legal Services)
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• FREE 24/7 Downtown Parking and Transit Benefits
• Continuing Professional Offerings
• Complimentary Museum Admission (For Yourself, Family, and Friends)
• Reciprocal Partnerships with Local Venues (The Nashville Zoo, National Museum of African American Music, tours at The Opry and The Ryman Auditorium, and more)
• Up to 25% Discount in Retail Stores and Onsite Restaurant Venues
• Opportunities to Attend Exhibit Openings, Concerts and Special Events
• Employee Engagement Activities and Opportunities
• FSA and Dependent Care Options
• Dog Friendly Work Environment
• Volunteering and Community Engagement Opportunities

Departmental Overview

The Education Department develops programs and resources that bring country music history, themes, and stories to life for diverse audiences. Serving more than 100,000 people annually through nearly 2,000 programs, the team engages students, families, general Museum guests, and lifelong learners through hands‑on activities, performances, and other educational experiences. Composed of educators, artists, museum professionals, songwriters, and musicians, the department takes a collaborative approach to creating dynamic offerings that reflect the Museum’s mission and connect audiences with one of America’s most visited history museums.

Position Overview

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum seeks an experienced, organized, energetic, and caring individual to oversee all aspects of its volunteer program. With over 110 active adult volunteers, the Museum engages a wide range of individuals in various support roles across the organization, including assisting in the administrative offices, interacting with Museum guests, and helping with educational programs for student groups and family visitors. The ideal candidate has strong people and leadership skills as well as the ability to implement recruitment and retention strategies to develop and maintain an engaged volunteer team. Responsibilities also include volunteer training, scheduling, recognition, assessment, record keeping, reporting and stewardship. The Volunteer Programs Manager also oversees Teen Team, a volunteer program for youth ages 14 to 17, with support from the Youth and Family Programs team.

Specific Job Duties

• Develop, lead, and implement volunteer recruitment strategies and facilitate information sessions (as needed). Interview all potential volunteer candidates over the phone or via Zoom
• Maintain corps of 125+ volunteers.
• Oversee volunteer training, including maintaining policy and training materials, and keeping current with organizational onboarding procedures. Lead and account for training for all new volunteers and implement background checks. Provide on-going training and retrain volunteers as necessary.
• Schedule all volunteers in positions matched to their skill to ensure they are utilized to their highest capacity. Key to proper placement is a detailed understanding of all Museum departments and positions as well as awareness of the skills and interests of individual volunteers.
• Communicate pertinent Museum information to volunteers to ensure that all individuals are informed with details essential to their success.
• Plan and implement enrichment activities to encourage service and engagement, including volunteer-only education social events, the annual volunteer recognition dinner, and end-of-the-school-year thank you social for school tour guides.
• Oversee and maintain volunteer database and volunteer sign-in. Maintain accurate records for quarterly and annual reporting.
• Evaluate all aspects of the volunteer program, including individual volunteer assessments and overall effectiveness. Offer oversight, feedback, correction, and conflict management when necessary.
• Maintain and develop partnerships with organizations that promote volunteerism.
• Build and manage the volunteer program budget.
• Serve as the institutional point person for all things related to the volunteer program and coach Museum volunteer supervisors to direct and empower volunteers to meet service objectives.
• Assist with marketing and publicity plans for the volunteer program.
• Provide guidance and oversee the Teen Team program in partnership with Youth and Family Programs.
• Develop and maintain short- and long-term strategies for the volunteer program to ensure continued success.
  Participate in Education department meetings and annual planning and assist with education programs as needed.
  

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, arts administration, library and information studies, museum studies, sociology, or related field preferred
• Minimum 5 years supervisory experience
• Previous work with volunteers in a non-profit or educational setting
• Previous experience with training or teaching

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Volgistics or another volunteer database
• Passion for and deep knowledge of country music
• Knowledge of legal compliance regarding volunteers in the work force

Essential Competencies (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• Strong leadership and relationship-building skills
• Strong problem-solving, time-management, and organizational skills
• Kind and caring demeanor with an interest in helping and interacting with people
• Excellent creative thinking and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work with accuracy and close attention to detail

Conditions of Employment

• Work schedule is Tuesday–Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Willingness to work occasional weekends and evenings for volunteer information sessions, trainings, and stewardship events