24th March, 2026
Manager, Volunteer Communications & Engagement
- Abbotsford location
- 12-month contract, full-time onsite
- Drive volunteer communications, engagement and retention
Wildlife Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation that has provided a statewide wildlife emergency response service since 1989. Their 24/7 Emergency Response Service responds to over 185,000 calls a year, coordinating help for sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife across more than 450 species. With a statewide network of over 1,500 trained volunteers, wildlife rehabilitators, and in-field veterinary professionals, Wildlife Victoria provides an end-to-end wildlife emergency response service to the Victorian public at no cost.
Wildlife Victoria is seeking a motivated and people-focused Manager, Volunteer Communications & Engagement to lead the development and delivery of communications and engagement strategies for their 1,500-strong statewide volunteer network.
In this 12-month contract role, you'll report to the Head of People (with a dotted line into the External Relations function) and work closely with colleagues across the organisation to design and implement programs that connect, recognise, and inspire our volunteer community. This is a hands-on role, suited to someone who enjoys engaging directly with people - regularly meeting volunteers in the field, gathering their stories, and building strong relationships to support volunteer connection and retention.
The Role - Create and implement a volunteer communications, reward and recognition, and engagement strategy and annual plan
- Draft, edit and distribute all communications to volunteers across marketing, recognition, training, organisational updates and incident/weather alerts
- Develop and moderate communal platforms — online groups, forums and coaching circles — to foster volunteer connection
- Design and administer volunteer reward and recognition schemes, including milestone recognition, thank-you programs and corporate partnerships
- Create and promote a compelling Volunteer Value Proposition to support recruitment and retention
- Attend training events and visit volunteers in the field to gather stories and provide event support
- Monitor, evaluate and report on the impact of volunteer communications and engagement programs
Key Selection Criteria - A tertiary qualification in communications or a related field, or substantial equivalent experience
- Proven experience developing and delivering communications and engagement strategies, working collaboratively with stakeholders to implement programs that achieve results
- Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to write with clarity, warmth and impact across a range of audiences and formats
- Experience developing communications and/or reward strategies and working closely with volunteers to implement programs that deliver the strategy
- Willing and able to travel across Victoria to meet volunteers in person and attend training events
- Resilient, driven, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, values-driven environment
- Passionate about wildlife and volunteerism
- Comfortable working occasional evenings or weekends to support volunteering initiatives and training
- Experience with or knowledge of Salesforce CRM is highly regarded
This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to one of Victoria's most respected not-for-profits and directly shape how Wildlife Victoria connects with, recognises and retains the volunteers who are at the heart of everything it does.
Patterson Recruitment is proud to partner with Wildlife Victoria.
Apply now
To apply, please upload your cover letter and CV via the link. For a confidential discussion, please call Gabrielle Patterson on 0416 170 100 or email gab@pattersonrecruitment.com.au
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ individuals and neurodivergent individuals. Accommodations are available on request..
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