Outreach & Volunteer Manager

Department: Supports all Bolder Options departments and locations

Hours/Pay: Full-time, exempt, $52,000-$59,000

Agency Description: Bolder Options is a transformational mentoring program operating the Twin Cities and Rochester. Our mission is "Teaching youth to succeed in all of life's races." Our core mentoring program recruits adult volunteer mentors and pairs them with young people aged 10-14. Pairs meet every week for one year working towards youth-centered goals related to healthy living, social emotional learning, community connectivity, and lifelong learning. Last year, 100% of graduating pairs elected to continue their relationship post-graduation. Bolder Options offers a variety of programming for our "alumni" include career and college exploration programs, leadership development, internships, a scholarship program, and more. Our vision is to ensure that the promise of youth in our community is realized, regardless of their life circumstances. Bolder Options is celebrating 30 years of mentoring impact in 2023.

Reports to: Direct report to Twin Cities Program Director; accountabilities to other department leads.

Overview of Responsibilities: The Outreach & Volunteer Manager (OVM) is responsible for advancing the mission of Bolder Options through effective volunteer engagement, strategic partnership development, advocacy and public awareness. The OVM leverages multiple engagement strategies to support organizational priorities related to volunteer engagement, fundraising, public relations, and youth development - including and most importantly, recruiting enough qualified mentors to meet our core program goals. This role has an agency-wide scope and serves as a liaison between all teams and functions.

Responsibilities:

Mentor Recruitment

Supports the strategic goal of securing enough quality mentors to deliver our mission.
Develop and direct the overall annual volunteer recruitment strategy
- Coordinate tabling & engagement at corporate events, volunteer fairs, community gatherings
- Conduct informational phone calls/video chats with prospective mentors/volunteers
- Seek out and manage speaking engagements
- Host mentor recruitment events (i.e. Mentor Meet n’ Mingle)
Track effectiveness of recruitment methods; design and implement new, innovate methods for mentor recruitment

Volunteer Management

Mentor Screening
- Review new mentor applications and schedule interviews in a timely manner
- Complete mentor interviews with all candidates
- Schedule and conduct mentor orientations
- Conduct background and reference checks for all candidates
- Refer qualified applicants to be paired with a mentee
- Communicate with candidates who are not accepted into the program
Mentor Orientation & Training

Supports the strategic goal of ensuring Bolder Options has qualified mentors and a safe, high quality mentoring program experience that reflects the best and promising practices from the mentoring field.
Directs training of volunteers before and during their volunteer experience.
Reviews training content and works to continuously improve training offerings so they are relevant and contribute to prepared and effective mentorship.
Maintain relationships with mentors by attending mentor meet-ups and other program events in a support capacity.

Volunteer Coordination

Engage corporate and community in volunteerism opportunities outside of mentoring
Promote opportunities to help with events and special projects and recruit volunteers to assist
Manage and coordinate volunteers to ensure a positive and meaningful experience
Track volunteer engagement annually including volunteer feedback about the experience
Manage volunteer recognition efforts

Outreach & Community Engagement

Manage community outreach initiatives to increase awareness of and foster support for Bolder Options’ mission.
Builds partnerships with businesses and community organizations to advance outreach & community engagement goals.
Key contributor to the development and implementation of a corporate partnership strategy for Bolder Options.
Coordinate alumni board and transition the committee to support outreach and engagement efforts.
Support social media efforts to increase awareness of and engagement with Bolder Options’ mission.

Location: This role is based in Minneapolis but supports our Rochester site as well. Support for the Rochester site is primarily conducted virtually but may include occasional travel to Rochester for in-person engagement.

Qualifications: 2-5 years of relevant experience.

Desired Skills & Characteristics:

Strategic and entrepreneurial thinker.
Enjoys engaging with a variety of people and teams.
Can take direction from and be accountable to multiple audiences.
Ability to manage and balance multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Works creatively to achieve goals and priorities.
Understanding of and/or prior experience working with nonprofit organizations.
Experience with volunteerism, mentoring, and volunteer-centered work.

Generous benefits include medical and dental insurance, life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, PTO plus paid holidays (including 4 floating holidays), summer Fridays (close at 1pm), winter break, 401(k) plan with a match, flexible work environment. Occasional weekend and evening hours for events.

As a nonprofit that serves people from diverse backgrounds, we strongly encourage applications from people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women, and LGBTQ+ people, and others who are members of marginalized communities.

To apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to Lucy Bossert, Twin Cities Program Director, at lucy.bossert@bolderoptions.org. The cover letter should outline 1) Your relevant experience 2) Any unique skills or characteristics you bring to the role and 3) Any connections (personal or professional) you have to mentoring. The cover letter can be included in the body of the email or as a separate attachment. We will review applications as they are received. Please apply by July 21, 2023.