Women in Lifesaving - Lead Volunteer

At the RNLI, our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea.

To do that well, we need volunteers from all backgrounds to feel welcomed, supported and able to thrive in lifesaving roles. We are seeking 6 Women in SAR Lead Volunteers, with representation in each region, to play a hands‑on role in supporting the regional rollout of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives.

Supporting the Participation and Engagement Officer, this role will help us make the One Crew ethos a reality for everyone by supporting regional events such as Women in SAR and helping embed inclusive ways of working across our regions.

This is an opportunity to lead with empathy, pragmatism and influence, and to make a real difference to the future of lifesaving at the RNLI.

Experience:

• Demonstrable passion and commitment to EDI: You do not need to be an EDI practitioner, but you must have a genuine commitment to creating equitable, diverse and inclusive environments.

• Relationship building & collaboration: Proven experience in building trust and working collaboratively with a wide variety of people, from frontline volunteers to regional leadership.

• Effective communication: Strong interpersonal skills including active listening, and the ability to articulate the ‘why’ behind cultural change in a way that engages and resonates with different audiences.

• Understanding of the volunteer landscape: A sound understanding of the unique dynamics, pressures and motivations of RNLI volunteers within a community or operational setting.

• Network or community experience: Previous involvement with community groups, inclusion initiatives or internal People Networks

• Event Coordination: Experience in planning, facilitating or supporting local events, workshops or training sessions. Suitable for someone who: is pragmatic and patient and understands that cultural shift does not happen quickly. You celebrate small wins and focus on progress, not perfection.

If you are reading this and thinking, “I care deeply about this, but I don’t tick all the boxes”, please still apply.

We are looking for passion, values and local influence above all else. You don’t need to be an EDI expert; we’re looking for people who care, who can build relationships, and who want to help make positive change happen.

**Please note: we will be reviewing applications and responding to applicants after the deadline (14/06/2026) has ended.