Volunteer Ambassador

Join us and help keep history alive – one volunteer at a time!

Location: Great Central Railway

Two Year Fixed Term Contract

Full Time with some evening and weekend working

Are you passionate about people, community engagement, and preserving our railway heritage? Do you have the enthusiasm and drive to inspire others to get involved and make a difference?

The Great Central Railway is seeking a dynamic and motivated Volunteer Ambassador to lead the development of our volunteer community and help secure the future of one of Britain's most distinguished heritage railways.

This is a unique opportunity to play a vital role in attracting, supporting, and retaining the volunteers who are the lifeblood of our organisation. We are particularly keen to strengthen our ability to engage younger generations and introduce new people to the rewarding world of heritage railway volunteering.

About the Role

As Volunteer Ambassador, you will champion volunteering across the organisation, developing innovative recruitment initiatives, building relationships within the community, and creating a positive volunteer experience from first enquiry through to long-term engagement.

Reporting into the Head of People Engagement and working across all departments, you will help ensure that volunteers are welcomed, supported, recognised, and inspired to contribute their skills and enthusiasm to the railway's ongoing success.

You will help create clear volunteering pathways, improve communication throughout the organisation, and ensure that every volunteer understands the valuable role they play in preserving our heritage and delivering memorable experiences for our visitors.

What You'll Be Doing

• Recruiting the Next Generation
• Developing and delivering volunteer recruitment campaigns and outreach initiatives.
• Building relationships with schools, colleges, universities, youth groups, community organisations, and local businesses.
• Promoting volunteering opportunities through events, presentations, exhibitions, and digital channels.
• Encouraging greater participation from younger volunteers and people new to the heritage sector.
• Creating Outstanding Volunteer Experiences
• Developing and managing volunteer induction and onboarding programmes.
• Supporting new volunteers as they join the organisation and helping them find roles that match their interests and skills.
• Working with departments to create clear volunteering pathways and opportunities for personal development.
• Ensuring volunteers feel welcomed, supported, and connected from day one.
• Strengthening Communication and Engagement
• Developing effective two-way communication channels between volunteers and the organisation.
• Ensuring volunteers are informed about opportunities, events, achievements, and organisational developments.
• Gathering volunteer feedback and helping shape improvements across the railway.
• Acting as an advocate for volunteers and promoting a positive, inclusive culture.
• Building Recognition and Retention
• Creating initiatives that recognise and celebrate volunteer contributions.
• Organising volunteer appreciation events, awards, newsletters, and engagement activities.
• Developing strategies to improve volunteer satisfaction and long-term retention.
• Supporting departments in creating rewarding and meaningful volunteer experiences.
• Developing Volunteering Opportunities
• Working with teams across the railway to define and promote the wide range of volunteering roles available.
• Helping create clear role descriptions and progression opportunities.
• Showcasing the diversity of opportunities available, from operations and engineering to customer service, heritage interpretation, events, administration, education, and more.

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about people and passionate about helping others become part of something special.

You will have:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Confidence engaging with people from all backgrounds and age groups.
• Strong organisational and coordination abilities.
• The ability to build relationships and partnerships within the community.
• A proactive and positive approach to problem-solving.
• A genuine interest in volunteering, community engagement, and heritage preservation.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively with a wide range of teams.

Desirable Experience

• Volunteer management or coordination.
• Community engagement or outreach work.
• Recruitment, onboarding, training, or people development.
• Communications, marketing, or public engagement.
• Experience within the heritage, tourism, museum, charity, or volunteer sectors.

Why Become a Volunteer Ambassador?

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of the Great Central Railway.

You will:

• Help preserve an important part of Britain's railway heritage.
• Shape the future of volunteering across the organisation.
• Meet and work with passionate and dedicated people.
• Develop valuable leadership, engagement, and organisational skills.
• Play a key role in attracting and inspiring the next generation of volunteers.
• Most importantly, you'll help ensure that the Great Central Railway continues to thrive for future generations by building a vibrant, engaged, and sustainable volunteer community.

Interested?

If you are passionate about people, heritage, and community engagement and would like to help grow and strengthen our volunteer family, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send your CV along with a covering letter to - ***email_hidden***