As a key member of the Events team, the Volunteer Program Coordinator is responsible for the full volunteer lifecycle at the Gallery. This position leads all volunteer program decisions and exercises independent judgment in volunteer administration, while ensuring the program aligns with Gallery priorities, values, and operational needs. The Volunteer Program Coordinator also plays a critical role in fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace and contributes directly to people-related policy implementation and issue resolution across volunteer assignments.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
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Design, implement and evaluate a comprehensive volunteer program aligned with the Gallery’s strategic and operational goals
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Manage all aspects of volunteer recruitment, screening, interviewing,selection, onboarding, scheduling, supervision, performance feedback, correctiveactionand dismissal
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Proactively address performance or conduct concerns using coaching and formal intervention processes
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Lead volunteer training and orientation sessions; develop training content in collaboration with Gallery staff to ensure volunteers meet departmental needs
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Provide guidance and support to staff across all departments on effective volunteer engagement and performance management
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Monitor volunteer contributions,identifygaps or risks and implement corrective strategies as needed
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Serve as the primary point of contact and lead for volunteer-related issues, including complaints, conflictresolutionand emergency response coordination
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Develop and implement strategies to recognize,retainand engage a diverse volunteer base
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Collaborate with People & Culture on policy development, health and safety matters,and volunteer-related investigations
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Maintain and safeguard confidential volunteer records and generate regular program reporting for internal and external stakeholders
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Promote equity,inclusionand Indigenous cultural safety across all volunteer-related practices
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Represent the Gallery and act as an ambassador at recruitment events,orientationsand public functions
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Develop and manage program materials, volunteercommunicationsand digital scheduling tools
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Perform other related duties asrequired
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE
You hold a degree or diploma in Human Resources Management, Volunteer Management, Business Administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. You also have a minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience managing large-scale volunteer programs, including responsibility for recruitment, selection and supervision. In addition, you have:
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Proven ability to recruit, interview and place high volumes of volunteers across a range of departments, balancing organizational needs with a strong understanding of role suitability and performance expectations
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Demonstrated leadership in managing interpersonal situations and resolving performance concerns with sound judgment,diplomacyand discretion
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Coaching skills and ability to guideothers through volunteer-related issues, with the confidence to act independently on matters related to conduct,conflictand dismissal
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Exceptional time management,planningand organizational skills; abilityto manage competing priorities whilemaintainingfocus on program goals and service quality
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Demonstrated ability to work independently, makedecisionsand manage a program with minimal supervision
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Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and collaborate effectively and tactfully with volunteers,staffand externalpartnersat all levels
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Excellent communication skills including confident public speaking and group facilitation; experience in leading orientations, trainingsessionsand program presentations
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A professional and approachable presence with a commitment to creating a welcoming,inclusiveand respectful environment for all
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Proficiencyin Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with volunteer scheduling and database systems
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Commitmentto equity,inclusionand cultural safety with a demonstrated ability to embed these values into volunteer practices and relationships
WHAT WE PROVIDE FOR YOU
The Vancouver Art Gallery wants you to be your best. We provide our full-time and regular part-time employees with extended medical and dental coverage, long-term disability and life insurance, joint employer/employee pension contributions and generous vacation entitlements.
Compensation and Work Environment
Salary: Pay Grade 23, Step 1 $33.11 per hour
Hours: 21 hours per week (7 hr days, 3 days per week)
This is a unionized position that falls under the jurisdiction of CUPE Local 15 – VMECW. This is an in-office position at the Gallery’s downtown Vancouver location.
TO APPLY
We encourage you to submit your application through our career portal by June 12, 2026, at 11:59pm.
Please note that only applicants with Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or a valid work permit will be considered.
OUR VALUES
The Vancouver Art Gallery commits to five core values that guide all that we do:
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We are respectful of the unceded Indigenous territory upon which we are situated
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We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment
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We believe that curiosity is a pathway to innovation
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We establish clear goals and expectations to cultivate a culture of accountability
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We foster successful collaboration through thoughtful communication and active listening
The Vancouver Art Gallery is situated on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations. We offer a welcoming, team-based office culture, and we are committed to providing equitable access to everyone. We actively support accessibility, anti-racism, LGBTQ2S+ inclusion, and encourage diversity in our staff, volunteers, visitors, and programming. We cultivate a safer space where all voices are heard, valued and represented.
MORE ABOUT THE VANCOUVER ART GALLERY
Founded in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery is recognized as one of North America’s most innovative visual arts institutions. The Gallery’s celebrated exhibitions, extensive public programs and emphasis on advancing scholarship all focus on historical and contemporary art from British Columbia and around the world. Special attention is given to the accomplishments of Indigenous artists, as well as to those of the Asia Pacific region through the Centre for Global Asias (formerly the Institute of Asian Art) founded in 2014. The Gallery’s exhibitions also explore the impact of images in the larger sphere of visual culture, design and architecture.
The Gallery’s new Art of Wellbeing Lab furthers its commitment to community by promoting the role of art in fostering health and wellbeing. Developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers and Indigenous Elders, the lab creates opportunities for individuals to engage with art in ways that support mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
The Vancouver Art Gallery is a charitable not-for-profit organization supported by its members, individual donors, corporate funders, foundations, the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.
