Volunteering Manager (Maternity Cover)

ABOUT THE V&A EAST

V&A East Storehouse and Museum are two free cultural destinations created in partnership with young people and inspired by east London’s creative heritage.

Working directly with the voices that are shaping global contemporary culture and bringing the V&A collection and archive to life in new ways, V&A East celebrates making in all its forms, opening new possibilities and discoveries for everyone.

V&A East Storehouse’s access all-areas experience of the V&A collection opened to widespread public and critical acclaim in May 2026, and V&A East Museum will open in Spring 2026, introducing new galleries and a multi-faceted public programme, including a landmark exhibition, The Music is Black – A British Story.

V&A East is for everyone but aims to super serve Gen Z and local audiences, as well as those who would not usually visit a museum or gallery.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Volunteering Manager, V&A East will continue the development and delivery of V&A East’s volunteering programme, with a primary focus on Front of House volunteers.

This role is instrumental in engaging our core audiences and fostering connections with our programme and collection across both V&A East sites.

Responsibilities include overseeing and iterating a dynamic programme that prioritises volunteer satisfaction and community engagement, with an emphasis on storytelling and shared experiences. As V&A East champions inclusivity and accessibility, the ideal candidate will collaborate with colleagues to ensure our volunteering initiatives reflect these values.

This role will provide expert guidance to teams seeking to establish their own volunteering programmes, aligning with the V&A Volunteering Strategy.

Experience in community engagement, particularly with underrepresented groups, along with a knowledge of or personal connection to our four surrounding London Boroughs of from Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest is essential.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing and overseeing V&A East’s core volunteering programme.
• Leading on the recruitment, training and management of Front of House volunteers.
• Working with colleagues in the central V&A Volunteering team to ensure that the V&A East volunteering programme functions as part of the ecosystem of multi-site activity and wider organisational culture.
• Working with multiple teams across the organisation to plan and embed the strategic vision and operational facilitation of the programme.
• Manage feedback, and maintain an iterative, agile mindset to build V&A East’s volunteering activity as the sites evolve post-opening.
• Line managing the Volunteer Coordinator, V&A East.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Skills

• Shows proficiency in evaluating the impact of volunteer programs and implementing agile adjustments based on both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Is exceptionally organised, with a background in designing documentation systems and maintaining thorough record-keeping practices.
• Proven ability to design and facilitate interactive learning sessions such as workshops, discussions, and short talks.

Experience

• Understands the local environment, target V&A East audience and lives in, or has lived experience of, one of our local boroughs (Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest)
• Proven expertise in volunteering programme delivery and volunteer management..
• Demonstrated success in volunteer recruitment, utilising innovative and unconventional methods.

Behaviours

• Demonstrates alignment with V&A East’s vision and values of Sustainability, Equity, Creativity, Collaboration, and Generosity.
• Openness to change, actively seeks opportunities to improve and develop.
• Ability to foster strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.

To view the full job description, please click here – > V&A East – Volunteering Manager (Maternity Cover) – JD

Application support: How to write a winning museum job application

Interviews: Week commencing 10th Nov 2025

Hours: 36 hours per week

Expected start date: Week commencing 15th Dec 2025

Location: V&A East Storehouse and V&A East Museum