Manager, Strategic Alliances (New Business)

First Books

Washington (District of Columbia)

On-site

USD 69,300 - 84,700

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Life insurance and AD&D

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays annually

401(k) retirement plan with employer‑m

Parking stipend

Job summary

First Book is seeking a Manager, Strategic Alliances (New Business) to identify and secure corporate partnerships that advance its mission of removing barriers to education. You will lead partner research, outreach, and proposal development in collaboration with programs, marketing, and finance.

The role requires 5–7 years in corporate fundraising or business development, strong writing and presentation skills, and a willingness to travel up to 40%.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent preferred.
5–7 years of experience in corporate fundraising, business development, or related field.
Strong leadership, innovation, and creativity in securing private-sector partnerships.
Excellent business writing, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities.
Willingness to travel up to 40% during peak partnership activation periods.

Responsibilities

Identify, research, and prioritize prospective corporate partners aligned with First Book’s mission and goals.
Lead outreach and cultivation to secure corporate and foundation funding.
Develop and pitch data-informed funding proposals to prospective partners.
Design campaigns and partnership structures that meet partner and organizational priorities.
Manage the proposal-to-activation lifecycle, including budgets and timelines.
Collaborate with programs, marketing, and finance to align commitments with capacity.

Skills

Leadership

Business writing

Presentation skills

Verbal communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA or equivalent preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Salesforce CRM

Job description

ABOUT FIRST BOOK:

First Book is a leading nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to removing barriers to quality education for children in need. Through innovative public–private partnerships and a national network of more than 600,000 educators, program leaders, and community organizations, First Book has distributed over 250 million books and educational resources to under‑resourced communities. Our work spans e-commerce (First Book Marketplace), research and insights (First Book R&I), and tailored program development (First Book Accelerator), all designed to elevate the voices and needs of educators serving children in low‑income communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Manager, Strategic Alliances (New Business) is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing new corporate partnerships and cause‑based marketing campaigns that advance First Book’s mission of removing barriers to quality education for children in need. This role sits within the Strategic Alliances team and reports to the Senior Director, Strategic Alliances (New Business).

The Manager leads corporate partner research, outreach, and relationship development, and plays a central role in structuring proposals, budgets, and brand marketing strategies that align partner objectives with First Book’s social impact goals. The role requires close collaboration with cross‑functional teams across the organization to ensure new partnerships are executed effectively and deliver measurable value to both First Book and its corporate partners.

The ideal candidate brings expertise in corporate social responsibility, cause‑based marketing, or private‑sector consulting, along with strong business writing, presentation, and critical‑thinking skills, and a demonstrated interest in mission‑driven fundraising.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN:

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT:

Identify, research, and prioritize prospective corporate partners aligned with First Book’s mission and strategic goals.

Lead outreach and cultivation strategies to secure new corporate and foundation funding.

Develop and pitch dynamic, data‑informed funding proposals to prospective partners.

PARTNERSHIP STRATEGY & EXECUTION:

Design cause‑based marketing campaigns and partnership structures that meet both partner objectives and organizational priorities.

Manage the proposal‑to‑activation lifecycle, including budgeting, timelines, and deliverables.

Lead and contribute to internal ideation sessions to generate new partnership concepts.

CROSS‑FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION:

Liaise with cross‑functional First Book teams, including programs, marketing, and finance, to align partnership commitments with organizational capacity.

Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support long‑term partnership success.

REPORTING & COORDINATION:

Track and report on new business pipeline activity, partnership performance, and revenue progress.

Perform additional duties as assigned, consistent with the scope of the role.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent preferred.

Equivalent combination of education and experience considered.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in corporate fundraising, business development, or a related field.

Demonstrated track record of leadership, innovation, and creativity in securing private‑sector partnerships.

Strong business writing, presentation, and verbal communication skills, including experience developing and delivering pitches.

Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment while managing multiple priorities independently.

Strong organizational and time‑management skills, with excellent attention to detail.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools; prior experience with Salesforce or an equivalent CRM system preferred.

Ability to travel up to 40% during peak partnership activation periods.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Total Rewards - In compliance with the District of Columbia Wage Transparency Act, First Book will provide the pay range for this position to applicants upon request or as part of the job posting.

Salary Range: $77,000 annually (non‑negotiable).

All full‑time employees are eligible for the following:

Medical and dental insurance coverage.

Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.

Paid vacation and sick leave.

12 paid holidays annually.

401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.

Employer‑provided parking stipend (Washington, DC).

TO APPLY:

Submit a resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in this position.

Only applications submitted through First Book's approved platform will be considered.

Applications submitted through external or unapproved sites will not be reviewed.

First Book does not accept unsolicited recruiter submissions and does not pay fees for resumes submitted outside of a formal written agreement.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

First Book is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, District of Columbia, or local law.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

First Book is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. Applicants requiring accommodations during the application or interview process should submit a written request to First Book's Human Resources department.

WORK PRESENCE & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:

The role is structured as a hybrid position.

This position requires regular in‑office presence at First Book’s Washington, DC office on designated days to support internal collaboration and partnership activities.