Community Support Officer (Engagement and Volunteering)

Community Support Officer (Engagement and Volunteering) at the Institute of Physics

Deadline for applications: 11 September 2025

Contract Type – Fixed term contract (Maternity cover) for 12 months

The IOP exists to help physics and the physics community deliver on their potential for our lives, our society, our planet.

Together with our members and leaders from the world of physics and beyond, we have identified three priorities of Skills, Science and Society which must shape our work over the next five years if we are to achieve our mission.

We are very proud of our new innovative strategy, please click here to find out more information about our 2024 – 2029 strategy, our priorities and our principles.

Here at the IOP we are looking for a Community Support Officer (Engagement and Volunteering for a fixed period of 12 months) to support us in our mission.

What is it like working at the IOP?

The IOP is a friendly and ambitious organisation. Inclusion and diversity are central to our work and we have a ‘work anywhere’ policy to make working at the IOP as flexible as possible. Looking after our colleagues and supporting them in life and work is our priority, ensuring they can live their best lives, with competitive salaries, professional development opportunities and generous benefits.

Our comprehensive benefits package including:

• An excellent pension scheme - (up to 12% company contribution)
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, dental insurance, health care cash plan (via salary sacrifice) eye care vouchers, annual flu vaccinations, long service awards, employee assistance programme
• Floating bank holidays (choose where to take your bank holidays throughout the year)
• Generous annual leave (25 days starting as a standard)
• Flexible working and much more!  

The Role

What will I be doing?

As the Community Support Officer (Engagement and Volunteering), you’ll be at the heart of our work to build a vibrant, inclusive physics community. You’ll be the first point of contact for our volunteer-led Groups, Nations, and Branches — helping them to thrive, connect, and deliver meaningful activities that bring physics to life.

Your role will be varied, people-focused, and purpose-driven. You’ll:

• Support and empower volunteer committees with planning, elections, onboarding, and governance
• Design and deliver engaging training and resources to help volunteers feel confident and connected
• Celebrate and recognise contributions through awards, spotlight stories, and appreciation campaigns
• Coordinate inclusive events and forums that foster collaboration and community
• Use data and feedback to evaluate impact, improve experiences, and inform decision-making
• Champion collaboration and best practice across committees, departments, and the wider IOP network

You’ll work closely with passionate physicists, volunteers, and colleagues across departments — from Communications and EDI to Learning and Skills — to ensure every member feels supported, valued, and inspired.

Projects you work on may include:

• Creating a new Volunteering Guide and Welcome Handbook
• Designing and delivering onboarding and training for new committee members
• Organising flagship events like the annual Committee Welcome Day
• Helping shape our first Volunteering Development Plan and inclusive volunteering strategy

You’ll also be part of a wider team of Community Support Officers, each with their own focus area, working together to build a connected, thriving membership community.

Who will I work with?

As a Community Support Officer (Engagement and Volunteering), you’ll be part of a dynamic, collaborative environment where relationships matter. You’ll work closely with:

• The Community Support team and Student & Early Career Support Officer – sharing insights, coordinating efforts, and supporting each other to deliver a seamless member experience.
• The wider Membership department – especially colleagues in Professional Registration, Events & Conferences, and CPD – to ensure volunteer activities align with member development and recognition.
• Cross-functional teams across the IOP – including Science and Innovation, Education and Workforce, EDI, and Public Engagement – to embed inclusive practices and amplify the impact of volunteer-led initiatives.
• Members across our Groups, Nations and Branches (GNBs) – building trusted relationships with committee members, volunteers, and local champions to support their work and celebrate their contributions.
• External partners and sister societies – occasionally collaborating on joint events, campaigns, or volunteer initiatives that extend our reach and deepen our impact.

You’ll be a connector, a collaborator, and a champion for community – helping people feel supported, empowered, and proud to be part of the IOP.

Ideally, we hope you’ll apply if your skills include:

Essential Criteria

Whilst we’re not looking for perfection, we are looking for someone who:

• Loves people – you’re empathetic, approachable, and passionate about helping others feel seen and supported
• Thinks inclusively – you understand what makes engagement meaningful and accessible for everyone
• Communicates clearly – whether it’s writing a guide, running a training session, or answering a query
• Is organised and proactive – you can juggle priorities, meet deadlines, and keep things running smoothly
• Is digitally confident – you’re comfortable using tools like Salesforce, MS Teams, and online platforms
• Is a team player – you collaborate, share ideas, and support others to succeed

Experience working with volunteers, committees or in a membership or charity setting is a big plus — but if you bring the passion and potential, we’ll support you to grow.

Nice to have

• A full driving licence and access to a car is desirable, as some travel may be required.

The Institute of Physics is an open and inclusive organisation that welcomes and celebrates diversity. We know that not every candidate fits into a neat little box, and that's okay! So, even if your experience looks a little different from what we’ve identified but you believe you’d bring passion, creativity, and a willingness to learn, we’d love to learn more about you!  

Application

Alongside your CV, please ensure you include a cover letter stating how you meet the person specification. 

How will I be working?

The Institute of Physics is an inclusive employer and our people are at the heart of our approach to delivery. Following the impact of COVID-19, we have developed a new, innovative and exciting trust-based model of flexible working called How We Work. This empowers our staff to choose both individually and as a team how, when and where they work to deliver the goals of the organisation, acknowledging that there will be occasions where in-person meetings, collaborations and events will help generate greater impact. The How We Work initiative is based on the principles of collaboration, trust, flexibility and agility. You will be allocated a ‘base’ office which can also be a chosen place of work. 

Why should I want to work for the IOP?

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland - we seek to raise public awareness and understanding of physics and support the development of a diverse and inclusive physics community. As a charity, we’re here to ensure that physics delivers on its exceptional potential to benefit society. There’s never been a more exciting time to join the IOP - watch our film to find out more about our work. 

To apply for this role please click the link below, best of luck with your applications!

We recognise personal unique characteristics, should you require any reasonable adjustments to support you in your application and/or throughout the recruitment process please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support.

The Institute of Physics is an open and inclusive organisation that welcomes and celebrates diversity.