Role: The Director of Volunteer Engagement is a key leadership role responsible for developing, executing, and overseeing a comprehensive strategy to maximize the impact of La Soupe’s volunteers and interns across all programmatic and operational needs. This role ensures a robust pipeline of talent, provides engaging and effective training, and fosters a culture of deep appreciation and meaningful contribution. Reporting to the Senior Director of Rescue, Share, and Volunteer Engagement, this role supervises two staff members who support daily operations and coordination. As a key ambassador of La Soupe’s mission to bridge the gap between food waste and food insecurity, the Director cultivates meaningful partnerships, strengthens volunteer experiences, and collaborates across departments to ensure volunteer integration throughout the organization.

Reports to: Sr. Director, Rescue, Share, and Volunteer Engagement Payroll type: Salary
Days/hours work: Available Monday-Friday (8:00-4:00 PM), 40 hours per week

Desired timing of hire: Late February/ Early March, 2026

Job posting date: December 12, 2025

Location: La Soupe, 915 E McMillian St, Cincinnati, OH 45206

About La Soupe: La Soupe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Walnut Hills. It is the largest chef-led initiative in Ohio that bridges the gap between food waste and insecurity. Our chef-based model utilizes a large volunteer network to rescue perishables from farms, grocers, and wholesalers. Our highly talented Transform Team of chefs and volunteers transform this food into healthy soups and meals. While La Soupe chefs and volunteers are addressing the immediate needs of food waste and food insecurity, La Soupe dietitians, teachers, and advocates are dedicated to creating sustainable change through our programs that educate and empower communities to waste less and live healthier.

Job Responsibilities:

Program Strategy & Oversight

Develop and lead La Soupe’s volunteer and intern engagement strategy to align with organizational priorities and ensure seamless operational support across all programs (e.g., Transform, Rescue, Share, Education, etc).
Develop and execute a robust volunteer recruitment strategy that meets the evolving needs of the organization.

Oversee the entire volunteer lifecycle processes, including recruitment, onboarding, placement, retention, measurement, and evaluation of activities and events, with a focus on safety, inclusivity, and maximum impact.
Implement, manage, and research systems (e.g., Duplie, Food Rescue US) to streamline scheduling, task assignments, and reporting, and ensure effective program coordination.
Stay informed on industry trends and best practices to continuously improve the program and identify new engagement opportunities.

Training, Development, and Support

Design and facilitate engaging training: Develop and deliver a volunteer training curriculum that is effective, culturally competent, compliant with policies and legal requirements.
Identify volunteer training gaps and develop or identify new training to eliminate these gaps.
Serve as a training leader for staff regarding best practices for volunteer management and support.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Partnerships

Work closely with Leadership and Programs to maximize corporate and community partnerships around the full scope of needs for La Soupe as it relates specifically to volunteers.

Partner with internal teams, including Transform, Rescue, Share, Education, Philanthropy, and Operations, to forecast and meet evolving volunteer and intern needs.

Support distribution logistics, overseeing Food Rescue US runs and edits in collaboration with the Rescue Share Manager and Dock teams.
Cultivate and steward external relationships with community groups, businesses, and higher education institutions to build a robust pipeline of volunteers and interns.
Lead intern placement strategy in coordination with academic partners and internal supervisors to ensure a meaningful and productive experience.
Serve as an integral member of the programs team in collaboration with philanthropy, supporting broader advancement events and initiatives.

Team Leadership & Supervision

Lead the daily operations of the volunteer engagement team, including direct management of the Volunteer Coordinator(s).
Supervise and support Volunteer Coordinator(s), providing clear direction, performance feedback, and opportunities for professional development.
Foster a collaborative, mission-aligned team culture that prioritizes excellence in volunteer support and program delivery.
Direct policy compliance and consistent volunteer communication.

Recognition, Reporting & Culture

Design and lead volunteer recognition efforts, including annual events, social and newsletter highlights, and targeted acknowledgments.
Maintain accurate data on volunteer hours, demographics, and engagement to inform internal decisions, grant reporting, training and compliance.
Analyze volunteer data using it for continuous improvement of volunteer engagement and management.
Promote a culture of gratitude, inclusion, and purpose by creating a welcoming and empowering environment for all volunteers and interns.

Organizational Ambassador

Represent La Soupe at community events and within professional networks to increase visibility and engagement.
Attend broader community recruitment and engagement events.

Skills and Education:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Ideal characteristics:
Self-motivated, able to see the big picture, can recognize priorities of tasks effectively
Warm, friendly, and highly flexible, inviting feedback
Creative problem solver
Collaborative approach to work
Positive relationship builder
Appreciation for food and reducing waste
Desire to help others

Ideal skills:
Well-versed in volunteer management and communication platforms (familiarity with Galaxy Digital, Duplie, and Food Rescue US is a plus)
Proven work experience developing and leading volunteer programs
High cultural competency
Culinary background and knowledge is a plus
Experience with internship programs is a plus

Compensation: Commensurate with experience with a hiring range of $55,000 – $60,000. Most offers will fall between $55,000 and $57,500 based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity.

Benefits: (fulltime)

11+ Paid Holidays, free lunch, free parking, phone stipend
Health insurance with company match for employee and family: Medical, vision, and dental

401(k) plan – no match, life insurance and AD&D
Two weeks of PTO accrued annually, plus 5 paid sick days
Parental paid leave policy after one year employment
Opportunity to work with the best crew in the city while helping communities

To apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to Amy Scarpello, Sr. Director, Rescue, Share and Volunteer Engagement, at Amy@LaSoupe.org. Applications will be accepted through January 18, 2026, 11:59pm.

La Soupe is committed to work-life balance and will consider candidates interested in FT reduction (32 hours), hybrid, and other flexible arrangements that meet the needs of both the agency and the candidate.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This role requires work in both office and kitchen environments.

Office role: Must be able to meet routine office physical demands including climbing stairs, carrying up to 20 pound objects and possessing the dexterity and vision to operate office computers and equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to humid conditions, fumes, airborne particles, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Kitchen or Dock role: While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sort, and lift. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee should possess stamina for physical work. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions; extreme cold and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Equal Opportunity: La Soupe, Inc. values a diverse and inclusive work environment where every team member matters. All qualified applicants for this position will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.