General Position Summary:

The Volunteer Engagement Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for one of Food Lifelines most visible and mission-critical programs: community volunteer engagement and volunteer-powered warehouse repack operations that are essential to our daily food distribution model. This role provides leadership for a high-volume volunteer program serving thousands of community members annually. This role designs and executes a multi-year volunteer engagement strategy that:

• Advances Food Lifelines Strategic Plan
• Strengthens community connection and belonging through our volunteer program
• Deepens pathways from volunteer to donor and advocate
• Ensures safe, efficient, high-quality volunteer-powered repack work

The Director leads a cross-functional team responsible for volunteer recruitment, engagement, and daily oversight of volunteer-supported repack shifts. This role bridges Development and Operations to align volunteer engagement outcomes with warehouse priorities, safety standards, and long-term organizational sustainability. As a senior leader, the Director builds systems, develops people, and advances strategy that strengthens both community engagement and operational impact.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and execute a comprehensive volunteer engagement strategy aligned with Food Lifelines multi-year strategic plan.
• Define what best-in-class volunteer engagement looks like for a food bank of our size and complexity.
• Establish KPIs for volunteer recruitment, retention, engagement quality, repack output, safety, and conversion to philanthropy and advocacy.
• Use data and continuous improvement practices to evolve the volunteer model.
• Lead long-range capacity planning for volunteer-powered repack work in partnership with Operations leadership.
• Identify innovation opportunities (corporate partnerships, recurring volunteer cohorts, youth engagement, community-based pathways, etc.).

Operational Integration & Repack Oversight

• Oversee daily volunteer-supported repack activities through direct supervision of the Volunteer Production Manager and indirect supervision of Volunteer Repack Coordinators.
• Ensure alignment between volunteer shifts and warehouse inventory, distribution needs, and food safety standards.
• Maintain compliance with safety, food handling, and quality control protocols.
• Develop scalable systems that support high-volume volunteer engagement without compromising experience quality.
• Partner closely with warehouse leadership to ensure volunteer work is effectively integrated into operational planning.
• Participate in disaster response planning and activation related to volunteer mobilization.
• Ensure staff across the organization feel equipped to work effectively with volunteers.

Community Engagement & Philanthropic Pathways

• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to position volunteerism as an entry point into deeper engagement (donor pipeline, corporate relationships, advocacy, ambassadorship).
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to elevate volunteer storytelling and visibility.
• Develop recognition and stewardship strategies that increase volunteer retention and affinity.
• Ensure a cohesive, mission-centered volunteer journey from recruitment through recognition.
• Develop and cultivate strategic corporate partnerships to support team fundraising initiatives and long-term growth objectives
• Build and sustain strong, mutually beneficial relationships with key companies to ensure ongoing engagement, retention, and financial support.

Equity & Belonging in Volunteer Engagement

• Ensure volunteer engagement practices reflect Food Lifelines commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Identify and remove barriers to volunteer participation.
• Design onboarding and training experiences that connect volunteers to the systemic drivers of hunger and Food Lifelines broader advocacy and policy work.
• Equip internal staff with tools and best practices for effective and respectful volunteer partnership.
• Support the team in cultivating and sustaining a welcoming, customer-focused environment that reflects the organizations values and enhances overall engagement.
• Foster positive, high-visibility community interactions that are inclusive, engaging, and aligned with supporting all aspects of the organizations mission and operations.

Systems, Budget & Performance Management

• Oversee volunteer management systems and data integrity
• Ensure reporting supports operational, development, and executive decision-making.
• Lead annual department budgeting and manage to approved budget.
• Drive process improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and volunteer experience.

People Leadership

The Director leads:

• Volunteer Production Manager (who supervises several Repack Coordinators)
• Volunteer Engagement Coordinators (who recruit and schedule volunteers while providing support to implement broader volunteer engagement initiatives)

Responsibilities include:

• Organizational design and staffing planning
• Hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management
• Building leadership capacity within managers
• Fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and hospitality
• Cultivating internal leadership growth within the volunteer engagement team.

Specific Job Skills:

• Deep understanding of volunteer engagement strategy, including recruitment, retention, stewardship, and pathway development from volunteer to donor and advocate.
• Strong systems-thinking ability; able to design scalable processes that integrate volunteer engagement with warehouse operations, safety standards, and organizational priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and manage to KPIs, using data to drive decision making, performance improvement, and strategic planning.
• Knowledge of workplace and warehouse safety practices, risk mitigation, and food handling standards.
• Experience leading multi-layered teams, including developing managers and building leadership capacity.
• Ability to align cross-functional partners (Development, Operations, Marketing & Communications) around shared goals.
• Strong operational planning skills, including capacity modeling and long-range program development.
• Budget development and financial management skills.
• Skilled at public speaking and representing the organization to corporate groups, co…