Volunteer Services Manager

Mama's Kitchen; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Mama’s Kitchen seeks a dedicated Volunteer Services Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our volunteer program in San Diego. You will recruit, train, schedule, recognize, and retain volunteers to support kitchen prep, meal packaging, delivery, events, and admin tasks.

You’ll supervise the volunteer services coordinator, develop onboarding and training materials, and analyze program performance to drive better outcomes while modeling ethics and professionalism in all interactions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• 2–4 years of progressively responsible experience managing volunteer programs, community engagement, or nonprofit operations.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience leading staff and/or volunteer teams.
• Experience coordinating large volunteer programs (500+ volunteers annually preferred).
• Experience with volunteer management software (Better Impact or Golden preferred).
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to analyze data and translate findings into operational improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse volunteers, staff, and community partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and volunteer database systems.
• Valid California driver’s license and ability to drive organizational vehicles when needed.
• Be Able to lift 25 pounds

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the volunteer program, ensuring adequate volunteer coverage for kitchen prep, meal packaging, staging, office/admin, delivery, special events, and other operational needs.
• Supervise volunteer scheduling and staffing to ensure organizational needs are met while providing a positive volunteer experience.
• Oversee volunteer recruitment activities including application review, reference and background checks, onboarding, and orientation.
• Monitor volunteer participation, attendance, retention, and scheduling trends, implementing improvements to maximize engagement and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure volunteer records, certifications, training, waivers, and database information remains accurate, confidential, and up to date.
• Manage in-service/training calendar for grant and contract related requirements.
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and mission-centered volunteer environment where volunteers feel valued and connected to the organization's impact.
• Lead volunteer appreciation efforts including recognition programs, milestone awards, appreciation events, and personalized recognition.
• Build strong relationships with recurring volunteers, group leaders, interns, and community partners.
• Assist with volunteer communications through email, phone, presentations, orientations, newsletters, and other communication platforms.
• Partner with operational departments to forecast volunteer needs and allocate volunteer resources effectively.
• Partner with departments to leverage internal staff skillsets to effectively approach recruitment
• Coordinate volunteer support for organizational events, community outreach activities, fundraising initiatives, and special projects.
• Assist with meal deliveries or other operational functions when necessary to support organizational needs.

Skills

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Volunteer program management

Supervisory experience

Large volunteer programs coordination

Volunteer management software

Organization and project management

Communication and presentation skills

Data analysis for improvements

Relationship building with volunteers

Microsoft Office and databases

Driver's license (CA)

Ability to lift 25 pounds

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Better Impact

Golden

Job description

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision and life insurance, paid time off (PTO), paid sick leave, and paid holidays

Employer contributes up to $450 per month toward the cost of employee medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

Supervisor

Senior Director of Operations

Position Description

The Volunteer Services Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the volunteer services program, ensuring volunteers are effectively recruited, trained, scheduled, recognized, and retained to support organizational operations. This position supervises volunteers and the volunteer services coordinator while partnering with department leaders to ensure volunteer resources are aligned with operational priorities.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, the Volunteer Services Manager implements department initiatives, improves volunteer systems and processes, analyzes program performance, and helps foster a welcoming, mission-driven volunteer experience.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about the mission of Mama’s Kitchen; possess a collaborative spirit and enjoy an open work setting; and incorporate the highest levels of ethics and professionalism.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the volunteer program, ensuring adequate volunteer coverage for kitchen prep, meal packaging, staging, office/admin, delivery, special events, and other operational needs.
• Supervise volunteer scheduling and staffing to ensure organizational needs are met while providing a positive volunteer experience.
• Oversee volunteer recruitment activities including application review, reference and background checks, onboarding, and orientation.
• Monitor volunteer participation, attendance, retention, and scheduling trends, implementing improvements to maximize engagement and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure volunteer records, certifications, training, waivers, and database information remains accurate, confidential, and up to date.
• Manage in-service/training calendar for grant and contract related requirements.
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and mission-centered volunteer environment where volunteers feel valued and connected to the organization's impact.
• Lead volunteer appreciation efforts including recognition programs, milestone awards, appreciation events, and personalized recognition.
• Build strong relationships with recurring volunteers, group leaders, interns, and community partners.
• Assist with volunteer communications through email, phone, presentations, orientations, newsletters, and other communication platforms.
• Partner with operational departments to forecast volunteer needs and allocate volunteer resources effectively.
• Partner with departments to leverage internal staff skillsets to effectively approach recruitment
• Coordinate volunteer support for organizational events, community outreach activities, fundraising initiatives, and special projects.
• Assist with meal deliveries or other operational functions when necessary to support organizational needs.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Supervise and coach Volunteer Services Coordinator, providing regular feedback, training, and performance development.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve volunteer onboarding, training materials, standard operating procedures, and operational workflows.
• Evaluate volunteer program effectiveness through data analysis, surveys, and feedback, recommending improvements to increase volunteer satisfaction and retention.
• Assist in developing annual volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition initiatives aligned with departmental goals.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for volunteer-related issues, resolving scheduling conflicts and supporting complex volunteer situations.
• Prepare regular reports on volunteer participation, recruitment, retention, hours served, and program outcomes.
• Monitor key performance indicators and recommend operational improvements based on trends and data.
• Participate in management meetings and cross-functional planning efforts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required & Preferred Skills

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• 2–4 years of progressively responsible experience managing volunteer programs, community engagement, or nonprofit operations.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience leading staff and/or volunteer teams.
• Experience coordinating large volunteer programs (500+ volunteers annually preferred).
• Experience with volunteer management software (Better Impact or Golden preferred).
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to analyze data and translate findings into operational improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse volunteers, staff, and community partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and volunteer database systems.
• Valid California driver’s license with acceptable driving record for the past three years and the ability to drive organizational vehicles when needed.
• Be Able to lift 25 pounds

Background Check

All employees are required to go through a background check.

Vision Statement

At Mama’s Kitchen, we envision a community where all individuals with critical illnesses are no longer vulnerable to malnutrition.

Mission Statement

Mama’s Kitchen believes that everyone is entitled to the basic necessity of life – nutritious food. Our services improve the health and well‑being of individuals and families vulnerable to malnutrition due to critical illness.

Dignity and Respect

Focus on the individual is at the heart of everything we do at Mama’s Kitchen.Mama’s Kitchen fosters a community where mutual respect and dignity are preserved by promoting humanity, compassion and empathy toward our clients, donors, volunteers, and staff.

Reliability

Mama’s Kitchen is resourceful, efficient, and flexible. Our clients tell us that reliability is what sets Mama’s apart from other organizations.

Integrity

Guided by honesty, loyalty and a commitment to confidentiality, Mama’s Kitchen is responsive to the needs of all our clients, volunteers, donors, and staff.We pride ourselves in doing what we say we are going to do.

Diversity

Mama’s Kitchen is an all-inclusive family.We foster a welcoming environment and embrace all members of the community without judgment.

Team Work

Mutual effort and unity are the ingredients that allow our mission to succeed.

Mama’s Kitchen has a long-standing commitment to equal employment opportunity for all applicants for employment.Employment decisions including, but not limited to, those such as employee selection, performance evaluation, administration of benefits, working conditions, employee programs, transfers, position changes, training, disciplinary action, compensation, and separations are made without regard to race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming), creed, national origin, nationality, citizenship status, domestic partnership status, ancestry, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, civil union status, family status, age, mental or physical disability (including AIDS or HIV-related status), atypical heredity cellular or blood trait of an individual, genetic information or refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available the results of a genetic test, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.