Volunteers Manager

About the BSAVA:

The BSAVA is a professional membership association which exists to pioneer a sustainable future for our members and the wider profession. With a membership of more than 10,000 veterinary surgeons, vet nurses and students, we rely on over 300 volunteers to help us achieve our mission. Volunteers provide an essential connection to subject matter expertise as well as to the members who benefit from the products and services we develop to help them thrive as professionals.  Each year BSAVA volunteers work with us to continuously improve and innovate the numerous education courses, events, and publications we deliver to help them and their peers succeed. 

The role:

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), based near Gloucester with hybrid working, has a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Volunteers Manager to lead a progressive and inclusive volunteer culture within BSAVA. This role is central to ensuring best practices in volunteer management and enhancing the volunteer experience. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in volunteer management, an understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and the ability to inspire a thriving volunteer community that supports BSAVA's values and strategic goals.

If you are a proactive, empathetic, and organised individual with a passion for volunteer management and a desire to make a difference in the veterinary profession, we would love to hear from you.

Skills and experience:

The successful candidate will have an HR qualification or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate experience of managing volunteers either through projects or committees. 

We are looking for excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and able to manage competing priorities.  The individual must be empathetic and able to engage a diverse range of people, not only inspiring them but motivating them to want to get involved.  Experience of community building, either online or in person would be of benefit.  The right person will be flexible and take a non-judgemental, solution orientated approach. 

Other essential skills include:

·       Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office

·       The ability to work proactively, using your own initiative to accomplish a variety of tasks

·       A flexible approach to work

·       High attention to detail

·       Exceptional organisational and time management skills

·       The ability to work effectively within a team

This post reports to the CEO.

We offer:

·       Generous employer pension contributions starting at 7% and increasing to 10% with length of service

·       Holiday starting at 25 days (plus bank holidays) rising by 1 day each year up to 28 days, plus a further entitlement of an additional one day every 5 years of service.

·       Bupa dental plan.

·       Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and other family-related leave.

·       Life assurance of 3 x annual salary.

·       Support for hybrid working for our employees, meaning you can work at home for up to two days a week and we also have a comprehensive Flexible Working Policy.

·       Access to a free legal helpline where you can ask our specialist lawyers for legal advice on an array of topics.

·       Health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 365 days and a network of mental health first aiders. Plus, enhanced Company sick pay, access to private medical insurance upon completion of 12 months’ service, occupational health service and annual flu vaccinations.

·       Training and development.

·       Free onsite parking, and for those who wish to cycle, we offer a cycle to work scheme which provides a discounted purchase of a bicycle and accessories for healthy, low carbon travel.

·       Last but by no means least, we have regular social activities and events for those who wish to join!

And we are:

Community friendly – offering paid leave to volunteer for a charity or not for profit organisation.

Committed to supporting sustainability in our work and in the veterinary profession.  The Association has completed a certified carbon audit and has been awarded Silver accreditation with Investors in the Environment.

So, if you are bold and innovative, strive for excellence whilst taking ownership and accountability of your work, show passion for what you do and work effectively in a team – then you’ll be a great fit for the Association, and we would love to hear from you.