Director, Volunteer Recruitment

Job Title: Director, Volunteer Recruitment

Team: External Affairs

Location: Hybrid in Atlanta (GA), Chicago (IL),  Washington DC, Newark (NJ), or New York City (NYC) 

Employment Type: Full-time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Start Date: November 2024

About Braven

Braven is a career-accelerating program that prepares promising young people—many of whom are people of color, from low income backgrounds, and the first in their families to attend college—to secure a strong first opportunity after college graduation. 

We work with higher education and employer partners to offer a life-changing experience that begins with a semester-long course for college students followed by support that lasts through graduation.  

Together, we are helping to open up access to the American Promise, empowering a generation of leaders who mirror the diversity of our country.

To learn more, take a look at Braven’s Impact Report and Jobs Report.

About the Role

In order to achieve its ambition of serving 80,000-100,000 Fellows over the next decade, Braven is hiring a Director, Volunteer Recruitment. This role will develop and execute tactics for both sourcing and converting for Braven’s high-volume volunteer recruitment campaigns – 12,000+ volunteers over the next two years. As a critical member of Braven’s Volunteer Recruitment Team, you will be responsible for ensuring a steady stream of dedicated new volunteers.

This role is on the External Affairs team and reports directly to the VP, Employer Partnerships + Volunteer Recruitment.

What You’ll Do

Volunteer Sourcing and Conversion (50%)

• Develop tactics, project plans, and marketing materials in collaboration with Braven’s central Communications, Project Management, Tech, and Operations teams.
• Lead outreach efforts through various strategies such as digital ads, sourcing potential volunteers, etc.
• Drive volunteer referrals from Braven supporters and staff, implementing incentives such as raffles to encourage participation.
• Engage community-based groups, faith-based groups, professional associations, and influencers, host recruitment events, and oversee canvassing efforts as part of sourcing initiatives. 
• Facilitate volunteer info sessions and manage Braven’s volunteer inbox.
• Work closely with the cross-functional leadership of the Volunteer Recruitment Team to align strategies with Braven's overall goals.
• Hire, train and manage 3-5 part-time Community Outreach Specialists responsible for raising brand awareness, developing partnerships with local organizations, and connecting with prospective volunteers.

Data Analysis, Innovation & Recruitment Strategy Collaboration (30%)

• Regularly analyze recruitment data to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
• Continuously improve tactics and processes based on data insights.
• Drive innovation by developing new tactics to enhance volunteer recruitment and engagement.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the long-term volunteer recruitment program redesign; support internal communications, project management, and change management efforts related to volunteer recruitment.
• Assist in the creation and facilitation of staff trainings to ensure effective volunteer recruitment processes.

Volunteer Stewardship (20%)

• Implement recognition and appreciation initiatives for volunteers and alumni, and coordinate opportunities for volunteer and alumni skill development and growth.
• Manage ongoing communication and community-building events, with the aim of keeping volunteers engaged, connected to the organization, and eager to return.

Other Duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in a related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master’s degree
• At least 5 years of experience leading both development and execution of high-volume recruitment efforts, preferably in a nonprofit setting, with a track record of achieving ambitious outcomes
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills with a proven ability to influence, motivate, cultivate, and inspire others to take action, as well as to collaborate effectively with staff, volunteers, and external partners
• Proactive and data-driven decision maker; entrepreneurial problem solver
• Ability and desire to thrive in a fast-paced environments, moments of ambiguity, and quickly scaling organizations
• Strong initiative with a deep sense of ownership to set and drive forward projects or tasks toward goals
• Extreme attention to detail with a knack for designing clear processes and systems to operate efficiently
• Experience managing recruitment coordinators whose responsible is to execute outreach tactics through canvassing
• Openness to constructive feedback and eagerness to identify and discuss areas for growth
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion
• Exemplification of Braven’s core values
• Experience that has informed your belief in Braven’s mission and have prepared you to work with, or for, Braven’s student Fellow population

Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the preferred qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

Work Demands

• Ability to work in-person in Atlanta (GA), Chicago (IL), Newark (NJ), Washington, D.C. or New York City (NYC) at least 3 days per week
• Will be expected to travel 5% of the time
• Will be expected to work approximately 2-3 x nights and/or weekends per month at Braven events and volunteer info sessions
• Will occasionally be asked to help with physical tasks like setting up for an in-person event: lifting boxes, setting up tables, hanging banners, etc.

Additional Requirements

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of such by the date of hire. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons.

Application & Interview Process

While the interview process may vary slightly, the general process will be:

• Phone screen with Talent Team member
• Performance Task
• Interview with Hiring Manager
• Panel Interview with Key Partners
• Reference Checks

Benefits

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position, which depends on prior work experience and our assessment of your demonstrated fit for the role, will likely be between $78,900-$98,600 in Atlanta, $83,000-$103,700 in Chicago and Washington, D.C., $91,300-$114,100 in New York and Newark. Braven offers competitive base salaries based on the midpoint of the market among not-for-profit organizations of similar size, with opportunities for salary growth over time. We believe in compensating staff members fairly in relation to each other, their qualifications, and their impact on behalf of the organization, and take internal and external equity seriously. Given our commitment to equity, Braven does not negotiate salary offers; instead each salary offer is determined carefully using external and internal benchmarking. You will have an opportunity to discuss salary in more detail after you begin the application process.

Braven also provides competitive, comprehensive benefits, recognition, and career development. While Braven reserves the right to change benefits at any time, current benefits include: 

• Unlimited vacation time in addition to org-wide holidays and week-long shutdowns in July and the end of the calendar year (this is a minimum of 19 days per year)
• Match of your 401K contribution up to 5% of your base annual salary, starting your first full month
• Coverage of 85% of health insurance premium for employee and dependents
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• A one-month paid sabbatical after 4 years on staff

Location

We gather in the office at least 3 days per week (on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) and often work remotely 2 days per week (although certain commitments might adjust that from time to time). Therefore, this role requires teammates to live within commuting distance of one of our hubs: Atlanta, Chicago, Newark, or New York City. We believe in the magic, connection, and collaboration that happens when people work together face-to-face and we believe in giving people flexibility to focus, balance personal priorities, and save themselves two commutes per week.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

At Braven, we are committed to attracting, engaging, developing, and retaining a diverse team. Braven operates in the context of our American culture, against the backdrop of systemic racism and oppression of marginalized people since our country’s founding. We are committed to assembling leaders at our organization who have emerged from everywhere, with a particular emphasis on those who share the racial and income backgrounds of our Fellows, and creating an inclusive culture that allows all teammates, of all experiences and identities, to thrive.  

Braven is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.  We encourage talented individuals of all backgrounds to apply.