Description

Position Summary 
The Alliance for the GreatLakes’Volunteer Engagement Manager is on the front lines of engaging with and cultivating volunteers across the Great Lakes region.

 
The Volunteer Engagement Manageroverseesthe Alliance’s two flagship volunteer programs.This includes the 1)Adopt-a-Beach program, whichinvolves12,000 volunteersin over 1,000 cleanupsper year on all five Great Lakes and all eight Great Lakes states; and 2)Ambassador program, a growing “speakers bureau”-type program that currently involves nearly150volunteers per year. 

They developastrategy fordeepening the impact of theAlliance’s regional volunteerleadershipandmanagingprogram implementation.They work closely with the Development Team (volunteerism being a common pathway to becoming a donor, and one of the main ways companies get involved), the Communications Team (promoting both programs, and leveragingvolunteer-generated data), and the Programs Team (which advances policies in areas such as plastic reduction).

 
A robust and engaged group of volunteers is critically important tothemissionof the Alliance for the Great Lakes, as weseektobuilda larger audience and turn awareness into action.This position playsan important rolein creating opportunities for volunteers to be part of the Great Lakes movement, advancing policy changes to protect and conserve our lakes. 

A typical week may include the following: 

• Monday:Respond to volunteer and partner emails, coordinate upcoming sponsored Adopt-a-Beach cleanups, and plan outreach for an upcoming trip to Port Huron.
• Tuesday:Enter cleanup litter data, prepare sponsor impact summaries, attend the weekly Advancement team meeting, and order volunteer supplies.
• Wednesday:Prepare for the Ambassador Deep Dive with the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator and co-host a virtual Adopt-a-Beach Team Leader training.
• Thursday:Coordinate with Communications and Engagement teams, send Deep Dive reminders, attend the Content Meeting, prepare for Friday’s cleanup, and co-host the Ambassador Deep Dive.
• Friday:Lead a sponsored Adopt-a-Beach cleanup, meet with a prospective corporate sponsor, and update volunteer opportunities for Ambassadors.

Responsibilities 
Management and Strategy 

• Developsstrategy for and managesthe implementation of the Alliance’s volunteer programs, including the regional Adopt-a-Beach program, aiming to involve 12,000 volunteers in 8 states, and the Alliance Ambassadors program, a network of100-125volunteerstrained to speak to groups about Great Lakes issues.
• Contributes to and developsa 3-year strategic plan(as part of the Advancement Team)and annual work plans and budgets for both the Adopt-a-Beach and Alliance Ambassadors program.
• Managesthe Adopt-a-Beach program, with a focus on ensuring regional participation andmaintainingprogram participation andvisibility.
• Supportsthe growth and implementation of the Adopt-a-Beach business sponsorship program in partnership with the Alliance’s Development Team.
• Leadsthe growth of the Alliance Ambassadors program, with a focus on expanding the program to become a regional presence.
• Identifiesandcultivatesrelationships with high-performing volunteers to deepen their relationship with the Alliance, either by increasing their volunteer leadership role or engaging them in other areas of the Alliance’s work.
• Managesand deepens relationships with partners (ex:stewardship and conservation organizations, museums and higher education, corporate and affinity groups, fraternal societies, youth-centeredgroups, boating and yacht clubs,etc.)
• Consultswith the Advocacy and Communications Teams toleveragetheexpertiseand passion of the Alliance’s most dedicated volunteers. 

Outreach 

• Managesandfacilitatesexternal outreach opportunities to audiences critical to supporting Great Lakes and water protection, such as opportunities for public speaking, tabling, and presentations asappropriate tosupport Alliance priorities.
• Mobilizesandrecruits'volunteers from communities (i.e., geographic, racial/ethnic, etc.) not currently represented in Alliance volunteer programs to ensure a wide diversity of people are engaged in Great Lakes protection efforts.
• Identifiesexpansion opportunities for the Alliance’s volunteer programs that align with the Alliance’s strategic goals.
• Conductstrainingfor volunteers to become environmental leaders, so that they have the skills and knowledge to address relevant Great Lakes issues and takeaction to improve the ecosystem.
• Develops materials to recruit, train, and steward volunteers, including presentations, videos, webinars, how-to guides, surveys, emails, FAQs, and program manuals.
• In coordination with the Government Affairs team,identifiesopportunities and supports volunteers toparticipatein lawmaker education and other forms of issue advocacy
• Speakspublicly for large andsmall groups, and occasionally the media, about the Alliance for the Great Lakes, the Alliance’s volunteer opportunities, and Great Lakes issues.
• Partnerswith the Development team on corporate partner outreach, such asfacilitatinglunch andlearnswith Adopt-a-Beach sponsors. 

Technical 

• Managesvolunteer dataandidentifiesstrategic uses of the information for internal and external partners.
• Managesprograms supply inventory, ordering, and relationships with key vendors.
• Ensurestimely,accurate, and effective collection of Adopt a Beach individual clean-up and seasonal data with companies, team leaders, and the broadercommunity of Alliance supporters.
• Compiles and disseminates litter dataregionally and nationallyto engaged research and eNGO partners.
• Manages systems and technologies used to support the Adopt-a-Beach and Alliance Ambassadors programs, including the Adopt-a-Beach program website, the Adopt-a-Beach program database, and systems that track volunteer participation. (AGL has a consulting firm on retainer to handle the technical work.) 

Work Relationships 
Reports to the VP of Advancement and workswith volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and business partners across the Great Lakes region.Directly supervise the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator.  
 
Universal Competencies 
Mission Alignment & Values 
Ensures team deliverables align with mission. Makes decisions that reflect Alliance values, even when difficult. Translates mission into actionable team priorities.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Justice (DEIJ) 
Considers equity implications in decisions. Creates inclusive team environments. Identifies access barriers in projects/processes. Embeds equity principles into team practices.

Communication & Feedback 
Communicates within teams proactively. Delivers constructive feedback with care. When challenges arise, communicates early with proposed solutions.  

Collaboration & Influence 
Influences peers and partners through expertise and relationship-building. Navigates competing priorities diplomatically. Drives alignment with teams. Represents Alliance in external coalitions or working groups. 

Adaptability & Learning 
Navigates ambiguity and shifting priorities effectively. Supports team through change. Identifies own development needs and seeks resources. Creates learning culture within team.  

Emotional Intelligence 
Manages own emotions effectively in challenging situations. Supports team cohesion. Models emotional regulation and empathy. Addresses interpersonal challenges with care.  

Judgement & Decision Making 
Exercises sound judgment in complex, nuanced situations. Weighs risks and tradeoffs carefully. Trusted to make independent decisions. Anticipates consequences of decisions within teams.  
 
Leadership Competencies 
Project Management & Accountability 
Drives progress across full projects. Keeps others aligned across dependencies. Anticipates delays and risks before they arise and adjusts plans. Accurately estimates and plans work for team.  

Planning & Strategy Execution 
Translates strategic priorities into clear, actionable team goals. Leads development of workplans aligned with strategic priorities and grant deliverables. Monitors progress and adapts plans as needed.  

Team Leadership & Development 
Directly supervises 1-2 staff or manages projects with team accountability. Conducts performance reviews. Supports professional development. Recruits and onboards new team members. Leads high-functioning project teams.  

Reliability & Follow-Through 
Provides accurate timelines with contingency plans. Consistently delivers quality work. Anticipates and mitigates major risks across initiatives. Ensures team maintains high standards of follow-through.  
 
Knowledge & Skills 

• Associate’sdegree with relevant experience orBachelor’s degree in social sciences, environmental sciences, and/or communicationspreferred.
• Five to sevenyears of experience in volunteer coordination and training, community outreach, and developingstakeholder partnerships in the public, private, or nonprofit sector.
• Understands how toanalyze and prepareprogram data, which will inform future programevaluation,design, growth, and effectiveness
• Demonstratesexperience connecting with a widediversityof stakeholders of all ages, identities,backgrounds,and abilities.Examples of potential stakeholders includecivic groups, schools, agency staff,businessesand community-based environmental organizations.
• Specific ability to manage volunteers with a positive and nurturing attitude to produce measurable results.
• Experience leading volunteers in outdoor, hands-on activities.Comfortable managing volunteers in outdoor settings in variable weather and crowded settings.
• Excellent listening, writing, and speaking skills.Able to speak publicly in a clear, compelling, and engaging mannerwithexperience speaking with the media.
• Prior database management skills, specifically Salesforce.
• Adaptive leader who is open, creative, and flexible in thought and practice with skills to lead both from the front and behind as needed.
• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience managing personnel.
• Experience creating and executing work plans and budgets.
• Knowledge and passion for the Great Lakes or addressing water issues.
• Spanish/ multi-lingualfluencypreferred. 
   

Working Environment / Physical Requirements 
Hybrid work from home, the Chicago office, and in the field with regular travel (overnight as needed). 

Requirements

Job Parameters 
This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. The Alliance has defined salary ranges that are evaluated annually, and it is customary for candidates tojoin atthe lower half of the range to leave room for learning and development in the role. It is uncommon for starting salaries to fall abovethe mid-point. The salary range for this position begins at$70,000and we negotiate salaries with final candidates based on their experience in similar roles andexpertiserelated to the qualifications. 

Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any paid holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks' annual vacation to start + PTO, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after30 days. 
This is a primarily remote position with a strong preference for location in the Chicago area, with an expectation to work from the office once per week.  
 
Application Process 
Please e-mail acover letter, resume, references,and writingor work sample thatdemonstratesrelevant [email protected] title in the subject line. 

Applications will be acceptedand reviewed on a rolling basisstarting onJuly 6th,2026,anduntil the position is filled. Materials should be compatible with Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Applicants willreceive confirmation of receipt of their materials,furtherguidance,and updates about the hiring process by e-mail, with interviews provided for finalists. No phone inquiries,please. 
 
EEO Statement and alliance’s mission, vision, and values 
The Alliance for the Great Lakes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The search process will reinforce the Alliance’s belief that achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms, and behaviors. 

Ourvisionis a thriving Great Lakes and healthy water that all life can rely on, today and far into the future. We aspire to be a voice for the lakes, and to support the voices of the communities that depend on the lakes and their waters. 

Themissionof the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for all generations of people and wildlife. We advance our mission as advocates for policies that support the lakes and communities, by building the research, analysis and partnerships that motivate action, and by educating and uniting people as a voice for the Great Lakes.

 
To achieve our vision and mission, everyone in our organization will live ourvaluesof Community, Relationships, Courage, Integrity and Optimism, and weave the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into all our work. Each value and principleisbacked by measurable goals and expectations for our Board of Directors and staff. 

For more information about the Alliance’s programs and work, please visit us online atwww.greatlakes.org.