Deaf Jobs

We couldn’t run Manchester International Festival without the dedication, energy and enthusiasm of our amazing volunteers. Some 426 volunteers got involved in MIF23, our last festival, doing everything from helping out with preparations to greeting the public at our events. Our Festival Volunteer Manager is critical to the smooth running of this programme.

Our Festival Volunteer Manager will lead on the recruitment of MIF volunteers, training and induction, and support for volunteers taking part in the 2025 programme. They will ensure that the volunteer programme is inclusive and accessible, and that volunteers have a fantastic experience at all points that they interact with us.

The primary focus of this role is leading on the volunteer-facing aspects of the MIF Volunteer Programme, however the post holder will work within a Volunteering Team that also delivers other Factory International volunteering programmes, including those at Aviva Studios, and may also support the delivery of these from time to time.

This role will involve a significant amount of evening and weekend working – particularly during May, June, and July, to facilitate the delivery of the programme. It is likely that this role will involve working additional hours, particularly during the Festival, which can then be taken back on a flexible basis. 

Festival Volunteer Manager Responsibilties

- Lead on volunteer recruitment for MIF25, ensuring and encouraging applications from diverse communities across Greater Manchester and supporting the application and selection processes for new and returning volunteers

- Plan, develop and deliver training and induction schemes for MIF volunteers

- Organise social events, volunteer placements and other volunteer activities leading up to, during and immediately after the 2025 Festival

- Ensure efficient and accurate administration of the MIF volunteer programme including maintaining databases and schedules, processing volunteer expenses and contributing to evaluation processes and reporting

- Manage Volunteer Team Leaders who in turn manage, support and encourage the wider volunteer team. Manage any placement hosted with the Volunteering Team

- Coordinate with departments across Factory International to ensure that their MIF volunteer requirements are being met, and that the volunteer programme is integrated into the work of the organisation to best effect. This includes contributing to the volunteering team’s relationship with key festival partners, ensuring that they are kept informed and involved both before and during the Festival

- Offer advice and information to volunteers and external organisations through face-to-face, telephone and email contact

Festival Volunteer Manager Person Specification

ESSENTIAL 

- Excellent communication skills, including written communication and verbal presentation skills

- Excellent organisational and administrative skills, including attention to detail when dealing with large amounts of data

- Experience of line managing staff or volunteers

- Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team

- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines

- Flexible and adaptable approach to problem solving within a fast-paced environment

- Commitment to championing representation and inclusion at every level of the organisation with a proven ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds

- Willing to get take relevant statutory checks eg DBS (Factory International can support with processing and payment)

 DESIRABLE 

- Experience of leading a volunteer programme (or other similar programme) involving large numbers of people

- Experience of working with a Volunteer Management System (i.e. an online system that holds volunteer records, enables applications to be submitted, enables rota-ing, etc)

- Experience of having worked or volunteered on a large festival or event

- Experience of designing and delivering training programmes or sessions

- Positive and enthusiastic attitude with a commitment to excellence

- Enthusiasm for training, mentoring and support of emerging talent