Volunteer Services Manager

Career Guide

A Volunteer Services Manager recruits, trains, schedules, and supports volunteers so an organization can deliver programs and services reliably. The role balances community engagement with day to day operations, ensuring volunteers have a clear purpose, positive experience, and the tools to do their work well.

Browse All Roles

Key Responsibilities

Recruit volunteers through community outreach and partnerships
Screen and place volunteers into appropriate roles
Onboard and train volunteers on policies, safety, and expectations
Build schedules and manage volunteer coverage for events and programs
Support volunteer leaders and handle concerns or conflicts
Track volunteer hours and participation using volunteer management tools
Recognize volunteers through appreciation programs and communications
Coordinate with internal teams to define volunteer needs and role descriptions
Ensure compliance with background checks, privacy, and risk guidelines
Report on volunteer impact and program outcomes to leadership

Top Skills for Success

Volunteer Recruitment

Volunteer Training

Scheduling

Program Coordination

Stakeholder Communication

Conflict Resolution

Community Outreach

Volunteer Retention

Data Tracking

Policy Compliance

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Volunteer Coordinator

Community Engagement Coordinator

Program Coordinator

Event Coordinator

Volunteer Services Specialist

Transition Opportunities

Director of Volunteer Services

Program Manager

Community Engagement Manager

Operations Manager

Development Manager

Nonprofit Executive Director

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Impact ReportingVolunteer Management SoftwareProcess ImprovementBudget ManagementRisk ManagementPartnership Development

Development SuggestionsBuild a simple volunteer dashboard, document a repeatable onboarding process, and lead a retention initiative such as a re engagement campaign. Seek training in volunteer program standards, basic budgeting, and safe screening practices. Get hands on experience with a common volunteer management platform by running scheduling and communications for a program.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 45,000 to 60,000

Mid LevelUSD 60,000 to 80,000

Senior LevelUSD 80,000 to 110,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, with higher hiring in healthcare, social services, and disaster response organizations. Competition can be strong in mission driven nonprofits, while larger institutions often offer more stable openings.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

American Red CrossHabitat for HumanityYMCAFeeding America network food banksUnited Way affiliatesGoodwillSalvation ArmyMajor hospital systemsCity and county governmentsLarge museums and cultural institutions

Industry Sectors

Nonprofit organizationsHealthcareHigher educationGovernmentArts and cultureHuman servicesDisaster reliefFaith based organizations

Recommended Next Steps

Create or refresh volunteer role descriptions with clear time commitments and responsibilities

Develop a structured onboarding plan with training steps and checklists

Implement a monthly volunteer recognition and feedback cadence

Set up basic reporting for hours, retention, and program coverage

Build relationships with local schools, employers, and civic groups for recruiting

Collect and publish volunteer impact stories for internal leaders and the community