Partnerships and Recruitment Manager

Position: Partnerships & Recruitment Manager

Reports to: Director of Partnerships & Recruitment

Lane: Investment

Job Summary

The Partnerships & Recruitment Manager serves as the site-based leader responsible for executing Thread's Volunteer Recruitment program within an assigned site. Reporting to the Director of Partnerships & Recruitment, this role develops and implements site-based recruitment strategies that cultivate authentic relationships, inspire community involvement, and build a sustainable pipeline of volunteers who are prepared to support Thread's mission.

Working through community organizing, relationship-building, storytelling, and volunteer engagement, the Partnerships & Recruitment Manager identifies, recruits, and guides prospective volunteers from initial awareness through onboarding and placement. By leveraging community networks, recruitment campaigns, and organizational partnerships as recruitment channels, this role ensures Thread consistently attracts individuals who reflect the organization's values and commitment to relationship-centered engagement.

As a steward of the volunteer recruitment experience, the Partnerships & Recruitment Manager strengthens Thread's presence throughout the community while ensuring recruitment efforts remain aligned with organizational priorities, community needs, and long-term volunteer engagement goals.

The Partnerships & Recruitment Manager owns the volunteer recruitment pipeline through placement, then hands each volunteer to the Community Engagement Specialist (for Year 1 transitions) and the Community Manager at the site for onboarding and day-to-day engagement. Because recruitment and site-level engagement are two halves of the same volunteer capacity-building goal, this role is expected to stay in close, ongoing coordination with the Director of Communities' team rather than treating placement as the end of its responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Recruitment Strategy & Community Engagement

• Execute site-based volunteer recruitment strategies that support organizational recruitment goals and strengthen the long-term volunteer pipeline.
• Build authentic relationships with individuals, community organizations, employers, universities, faith communities, and civic groups that serve as recruitment channels.
• Represent Thread at community events, presentations, volunteer fairs, and recruitment activities that increase awareness and inspire community involvement.
• Identify emerging recruitment opportunities and recommend strategies that strengthen volunteer engagement across the region.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for Thread's mission, values, and relationship-centered philosophy.

Volunteer Cultivation & Conversion

• Guide prospective volunteers through the complete recruitment journey from initial interest through onboarding, placement, and early engagement.
• Conduct recruitment conversations, informational sessions, orientations, and other activities that prepare volunteers for meaningful participation within the Thread community.
• Develop authentic relationships that encourage long-term volunteer commitment and engagement.
• Utilize storytelling and relationship-centered communication to inspire volunteers to join and remain engaged with Thread.
• Ensure prospective volunteers experience a welcoming, coordinated, and high-quality recruitment process.

Community Networks & Recruitment Partnerships

• Develop and maintain site-based relationships with organizations that strengthen volunteer recruitment efforts and expand community awareness of Thread.
• Recruit, coach, and support Resource Team Volunteers who assist with community outreach and volunteer recruitment initiatives.
• Coordinate recruitment activities with organizational partners while maintaining clear focus on volunteer acquisition and engagement.
• Identify opportunities to leverage existing community relationships to expand Thread's volunteer network.
• Strengthen collaboration among community organizations, volunteers, and Thread staff to improve recruitment outcomes.

• Cross-Lane Collaboration

• Partner closely with Community Managers and the Community Engagement Specialist to understand volunteer placement needs, coordinate a warm hand-off at onboarding, and align on community priorities - treating placement as a hand-off rather than the end of this role's responsibility.
• Partner with the Program Manager to understand how volunteers are used in programming, so recruitment reflects the skills, availability, and commitment levels programming depends on.
• Collaborate with the Manager of Partnerships & Resources to leverage organizational partnerships that create volunteer recruitment opportunities, while maintaining clear ownership of volunteer recruitment activities.
• Work with the Communications Manager to support recruitment campaigns, storytelling, and volunteer marketing efforts.
• Partner with the Data & Reporting Manager on recruitment pipeline metrics, conversion reporting, and volunteer lifecycle data.
• Partner with the HR Specialist to coordinate background checks and safety screening, so no volunteer begins working with young people before screening is complete.
• Partner with the Practice Improvement Manager and the Practice, Learning & Quality team to align recruitment practice with Thread's relational and partnership standards and participate in coaching and quality-reflection cycles.
• Contribute to organization-wide initiatives that support volunteer capacity building, engagement, and organizational growth.

• Planning, Data & Operational Excellence

• Utilize CRM platforms and organizational systems to monitor recruitment activity, volunteer engagement, conversion rates, and regional performance.
• Maintain accurate documentation of recruitment efforts, community relationships, volunteer activity, and outreach initiatives.
• Analyze recruitment trends, community engagement data, and volunteer feedback to strengthen recruitment strategies.
• Develop regional recruitment plans that align with annual organizational priorities and performance goals.
• Ensure recruitment activities remain organized, compliant, and aligned with organizational standards.

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Evaluate regional recruitment strategies and community engagement practices to identify opportunities for increased effectiveness.
• Leverage technology and emerging tools - including CRM platforms, AI-assisted outreach, workflow automation, scheduling tools, and volunteer engagement systems - to improve efficiency while maintaining appropriate human judgment, authenticity, and relationship-centered engagement.
• Monitor trends in volunteerism, community organizing, nonprofit recruitment, and civic engagement to strengthen recruitment practices.
• Foster a culture of learning, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Thread Values & Community

• Authentically engage in relationships with colleagues, especially across lines of difference, modeling the Thread Core Competencies: (a) Show all the way up; (b) Fail forward; (c) Treat relationships as wealth; and (d) Learn from all voices.
• Make the connection between driving toward outcomes and organizational imperatives.
• Share your journey of personal and professional growth with young people, volunteers, collaborators, and staff.
• Complete other duties and strategic initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in volunteer recruitment, community organizing, relationship management, sales, nonprofit engagement, outreach, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success building authentic relationships and mobilizing individuals toward meaningful community involvement.
• Experience facilitating presentations, conducting outreach, and engaging diverse audiences through persuasive communication and storytelling.
• Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple recruitment initiatives simultaneously.
• Experience utilizing CRM platforms, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and organizational technology to manage recruitment activities and performance.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, belonging, relationship-centered leadership, and continuous learning.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to clearly communicate and consistently model Thread's core values and core competencies.

Preferred

• Five or more years of experience in volunteer recruitment, community organizing, relationship management, sales, nonprofit engagement, or outreach.
• Familiarity with Baltimore-area community organizations, employers, universities, and faith communities.