Volunteer Engagement Director

General Position Summary:

The Volunteer Engagement Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for one of Food Lifeline’s 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 Lifeline’s 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 Lifeline’s 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 Lifeline’s 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 Lifeline’s 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 organization’s values and enhances overall engagement.
• Foster positive, high-visibility community interactions that are inclusive, engaging, and aligned with supporting all aspects of the organization’s 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, community partners, and large volunteer audiences.
• Ability to facilitate both large-group orientations and small-group trainings in a clear, engaging, and mission-centered manner.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Ability to balance relationship-centered leadership with accountability and performance standards.
• Experience designing and improving systems and workflows for efficiency and clarity.
• Proficiency with volunteer management platforms, CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge), and data tracking tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High emotional intelligence; able to navigate diverse personalities and stakeholder groups with tact and clarity.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and lead through ambiguity.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion in volunteer engagement practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related software tools.

Education and/or Experience:

• 7+ years progressive leadership experience in volunteer program management,

community engagement, nonprofit operations, or related field.

• Experience leading multi-layered teams (manager of managers preferred).
• Experience integrating volunteer labor into operational environments.
• Demonstrated systems-thinking mindset and strong cross-functional leadership capabilities.
• Experience integrating volunteer engagement into fundraising strategy.
• Experience cultivating corporate and com
• munity partnerships that expand volunteer engagement and mission visibility.

Job Conditions:

Work is performed primarily in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Work is occasionally performed in warehouse setting subject to typical level of warehouse noise, operating equipment such as forklifts and pallet jacks, and occasional extreme temperatures in cooler and freezer areas of warehouse. Position has periods of increased activity and demands both in computerized work and management of volunteers. Position must respond to requests from volunteers with tact and patience at all times.

Physical Demands:

Position requires prolonged sitting and frequent keyboarding activity with repetitive hand and wrist motions. Requires the ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds; occasionally walk or stand on concrete surface; occasionally need to stoop, bend or reach.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $100,000–$120,000 annually

Food Lifeline is committed to fair, transparent, and equitable compensation practices that support our mission to address hunger and its root causes. This position is assigned to a four-step salary range.

Most new hires are typically placed in Step 1 of the range, which reflects the entry point for the role. Placement within the range is based on job-related factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and internal equity, as evaluated during the hiring process.

Movement through the salary range may occur over time and is guided by performance, role development, and organizational compensation practices.

Full benefits package includes:

• Employer-paid medical coverage for employees and children
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employer-paid basic life, long- and short-term disability
• Employer match for 403(b) retirement plans
• Generous paid time off, including parental leave

Position Details

• Full-time, hybrid role requiring three days per week in the office
• Candidates must be willing and able to live and work in the Seattle area