Manager of Volunteers at Richmond SPCA – Richmond, Virginia

Scheduled Sunday - Thursday or Tuesday - Saturday

Exempt, full-time position

Reports to Chief Operating Officer

Direct Reports: Assistant Manager of Volunteers, Volunteer Training and Administrative Assistants, volunteers

The Richmond SPCA is a non-profit organization located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. As a leader in the field of animal welfare, we are cultivating a community committed to saving, protecting and enriching animal lives with a mission to provide education and resources to achieve and sustain a no-kill community. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for about 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our region with vital safety net programs designed to keep thousands of pets in loving homes and out of shelters. Our values of collaboration, creativity, honesty, inclusion and respect guide not only what we do – but how we do it.

The Manager of Volunteers serves as a vital link between our mission and the community, strategically overseeing the entire volunteer lifecycle. This role is responsible for recruiting mission-aligned talent and cultivating a culture where volunteers feel equipped, valued, and deeply connected to our work. By balancing operational logistics with intentional relationship building, the Manager of Volunteers ensures that every volunteer’s efforts make a lifesaving difference.

Essential Functions

• Lead and motivate Volunteer Management Team and volunteers, cultivating a culture that reflects our values
• Develop and maintain systems to recruit, onboard, train, engage and celebrate volunteers
• Train staff to support our volunteers effectively and cooperatively
• Help identify and respond promptly to volunteer needs from across the organization
• Match volunteers’ skills and interest with organizational needs
• Organize and lead volunteer training
• Routinely evaluate volunteer programming to ensure that it is both effective and efficient
• Ensure that volunteers have a safe and supportive environment in which to work, encourage open communication, and approach difficult conversations with empathy and compassion
• Work with the Chief Operating Officer to develop goals and objectives for volunteer programming
• Create and support group volunteer opportunities
• Maintain a schedule of assigned tasks for volunteers with input from department managers and liaisons
• Maintain programs to track volunteer activities and hours for reporting and analysis purposes
• Maintain volunteer communications through different platforms (e.g. Trello, Facebook groups, email, weekly volunteer email newsletter, etc.)
• Plan activities to build community among volunteers and events to recognize and celebrate their contributions
• Maintain relationships with recurring community volunteer partners
• Represent the Richmond SPCA at community events, informational tables, volunteer fairs, etc.
• Develop and adhere to departmental budget
• Complete typical duties of a manager overseeing a team including payroll, regular performance feedback, mentoring, leading department meetings, hiring, training, and more
• Provide administrative support for special-focused volunteer groups
• Other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications, Skills and Expectations

• Alignment with the Richmond SPCA’s mission to achieve and sustain a no-kill community – including promoting pet adoption and spaying/neutering – and to utilizing reward-based, positive reinforcement (R+) training methods
• High degree of emotional intelligence, with an ability to successfully navigate emotionally challenging situations professionally and effectively
• Prior management experience with proven ability to creatively solve problems, exercise good judgment, and be diplomatic
• Three years of volunteer management experience preferred
• Effective, professional, and empathetic communication (written and verbal) with the public, volunteers, and all Richmond SPCA employees
• Attitude that contributes to a welcoming, accessible, compassionate, and respectful atmosphere
• Ability to multi-task, take and follow directions, and adapt to and productively accommodate changing demands – all with excellent attention to detail
• Comfort handling or learning to handle (petting, leash-walking, some lifting and carrying) dogs, cats, and small mammals with a variety of medical and behavioral needs
• Excellent public speaking skills for in-person and video conference-style presentations and trainings
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft 365, Better Impact) and the ability to learn new software quickly
• Must work well under pressure and adhere to deadlines
• Punctuality and reliability are essential, as well as good time management and prioritization skills
• Maintain confidentiality as requested
• Must be resourceful and creatively problem-solve with a team-oriented mindset

• Daytime, weekend, and occasional evening availability
• Reliable transportation, including during inclement weather
• 18 years of age or older
• Valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle record screening

Physical Job Requirements

• Able to work with animals (including those who are sick or injured or who have challenging behaviors), and around loud noises, cat litter, animal waste, allergens (pet dander, peanut butter), various chemicals, and disinfectants
• Able to routinely lift 25 lbs.
• Able to bend, kneel, stoop, use stairs, and use your arms in a repetitive manner
• Able to be on your feet for several hours at a time
• Able to work at a desk, use a computer, and use the phone for several hours at a time

Work Environment

• Potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that are zoonotic (can be transmitted from animals to people)
• Supportive, collaborative team environment that encourages and celebrates creativity and resourcefulness

Richmond SPCA employees are eligible to become clients of our low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital and have access to an Employee Assistance Program. Employees who average 15+ hours per week are eligible for voluntary (employee-paid) benefits including accident insurance, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance. Employees who average 20+ hours a week can participate in our 401(k) retirement plan and have access to paid wellness leave.

Full-time employees are eligible for insurance benefits, including medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and paid personal leave.

The Richmond SPCA is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program