Job Description
KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ensuring that every kid, in every community, has an amazing place to play. Our mission is to end playspace inequity – the reality that playspaces are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. We unite with communities to build kid-designed playspaces that can spark joy and foster a sense of belonging for the kids who are often denied opportunities to thrive.
What We Offer:
At KABOOM!, we believe in supporting your well-being, financial security, and professional growth. Our total rewards package includes:
- 403(b) retirement plan with up to 6% employer match
- Annual bonus eligibility based on team and individual performance
- Student Loan Assistance Program
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Life insurance, wellness resources, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Flexible and generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 12 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays
- Opportunities for professional development
About the Role:
The Partnership Manager is a high-impact, external-facing role that stewards some of KABOOM!’s most valued relationships. You’ll serve as the key liaison between our funding partners — including national foundations and Fortune 500 companies — and our internal teams, ensuring every experience is meaningful, aligned with our mission, and executed with excellence.
You’ll lead a portfolio of partnerships through the full life cycle — from onboarding and planning to build execution, reporting, and renewal. This role blends relationship management, strategic thinking, storytelling, and cross-functional collaboration to deepen impact, amplify visibility, and grow long-term support for our work.
What You’ll Do
Manage and Grow Strategic Partnerships
- Serve as the primary relationship owner for 5–15+ corporate and foundation funders.
- Develop partner intelligence (objectives, decision-makers, growth opportunities) and create renewal and upsell strategies.
- Lead onboarding, brand alignment, and partnership reviews to ensure strong, long-term relationships.
Lead Multi-Year & Grant Partnerships
- Manage grant programs and multi-year agreements, ensuring compliance, reporting, and funder stewardship.
- Collaborate with Programs to deliver on grant objectives while identifying opportunities for expansion or follow-on funding.
Drive Campaigns, Storytelling & Visibility
- Manage complex, multi-touch marketing partnerships and campaigns that extend beyond individual builds.
- Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to produce compelling stories, case studies, and recognition strategies.
- Collect and share impact data, photos, and community feedback to inspire continued investment.
Optimize Partner Benefits & Engagement
- Design and customize recognition packages and engagement strategies tailored to partner goals.
- Leverage benefits and creative activations as tools for renewals, upsells, and deeper collaboration.
Collaborate & Represent KABOOM!
- Work cross-functionally with Outreach, Programs, Finance, Marketing/Comms, and the CEO’s office to align timelines and deliverables.
- Travel up to 30–40% during peak season (August–November) for builds, site visits, and community events.
- Represent KABOOM! with professionalism and flexibility in fast-changing environments.
What You’ll Bring:
- Five (5) or more years of experience with a company, foundation, nonprofit organization or similar work environment, in a partnership management, project management, development, marketing/communications or related role.
- Strong critical thinking and organizational capabilities, adept ability to quickly absorb information from various angles, keeping an eye on the big picture, while maintaining attention to detail.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to speak about partner relationships and programming without preparation.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic and entrepreneurial environment.
- Collaborative, team-oriented work style with self-motivation and drive to get the job done with little supervision.
Other Position Details
- This position is full-time
- Location: Bethesda, Maryland/Hybrid
- Salary: $64,000-$72,000
Equal Opportunity Statement
Building an inclusive, high-performing team that is diverse across lines of personal identity is integral to our success and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. This means we do not discriminate against any job applicant or employee because of their race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment.
We actively strive and evolve to develop and maintain fully inclusive workspaces. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
Note: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
This job description does not constitute an employee agreement between the employer and the employee: this description is subject to change by the employer as the needs and requirements of the position change.