Head of Volunteering - Peterborough
Job overview
Head of Volunteering – Empower Volunteers, Enrich Lives
Are you passionate about making a genuine impact on patient care through the power of volunteering? We are looking for a dynamic Head of Volunteering to lead, develop and transform our volunteer services across three hospital sites: Peterborough City Hospital, Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Stamford Hospital.You will oversee a team of volunteer service coordinators supporting over 500 active volunteers, directly shaping the patient journey and working as an integral part of our Patient Experience Team.
Why Join Us?- Be a Driving Force: Spearhead and deliver the North West Anglia Volunteering Strategy, influencing decisions at board level and shaping the future of volunteer services Trust-wide.
- Champion Innovation: Create and refine recruitment, training and retention initiatives that enrich patient experiences and empower volunteers to make a difference every day.
- Lead Change: Collaborate closely with our Patient Experience Manager, Carers Advisors and Linguistic Services Team, ensuring volunteer activities align with the Trust’s wider Patient Experience Strategy.
- Collaborate Widely: Build and maintain strategic partnerships with local charities, community groups and public sector agencies, broadening the scope and diversity of our volunteer base.
- Make an Impact: Present evaluations of volunteer programs at board level, showcasing measurable improvements in patient outcomes and championing volunteer contributions across the organisation.
About You
We are looking for someone with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field and significant experience in volunteering or similar services, including a proven track record of strategic planning, change management and policy development.You will have understanding of patient experience principles to support knowledge of voluntary sector best practices. The ideal candidate will excel at motivating and collaborating with people at all levels, drawing on exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to cultivate innovative volunteer initiatives.
Above all, they will be passionate about patient care, dedicated to delivering outstanding volunteer-led services and committed to upholding our Trust’s core values.
Main duties of the job- Strategic Development: Lead, deliver, and embed our Volunteering Strategy, ensuring all services comply with relevant regulations and best practice at a local and national level.
- Operational Leadership: Oversee and lead volunteer coordinators and day-to-day service delivery, including recruitment, onboarding and ongoing training of volunteers.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the Trust lead when working with external agencies and partners, forging relationships that maximise volunteer impact.
- Service Evaluation: Design and implement measurement tools to assess volunteer impact, reporting key findings to senior leadership and the board.
- Financial Management: Oversee and be accountable for the volunteer service operational budget, including forecasting, variance analysis and re-profiling of budget lines where required and appropriate. Be able to investigate and consider external funding and grant opportunities to help support and grow the volunteer service.
- Future-Focused Growth: Identify opportunities for new volunteer roles and innovative programs that address evolving patient and community needs.
- Cross-Site Collaboration: Travel regularly to our three hospital sites to maintain a visible leadership presence. After training, you may have the option to work 1 day a week from home, subject to service needs.
Working for our organisation
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented communities. We offer a broad range of staff benefits, flexible working arrangements (where possible), and a supportive environment that encourages professional development and leadership growth.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Help us harness the power of volunteers to transform patient care. If you’re ready to shape the future of volunteering at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust—and empower volunteers to enrich lives—we want to hear from you!
For an informal chat or to find out more about the role, please contact Maria Finch at [email protected]
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria- Educated to Master’s degree level OR Post graduate Management qualification or equivalent Extensive experience of working within volunteer sector
Experience
Essential criteria- Significant experience in Volunteer services or similar role
- Significant experience in voluntary or public sector
- Experience in developing a service, including strategic development and practical delivery
- Experience of involvement with dealing with the public, handling complaints/feedback
- Experience working within health sector
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Knowledge and understanding of confidentiality
- Knowledge of child protection and adult safeguarding procedures
Key Skills
Essential criteria- Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings, to achieve co-operation and influence Others
- Ability to work with others to co-develop strategy and delivery plans
- Computer literate - competent in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint