Sr. Manager, Partnerships & Programs

KABOOM!; Bethesda (MD); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) retirement plan

Annual bonus eligibility

Student Loan Assistance Program

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

Flexible Paid Time Off

Opportunities for professional development

Job summary

KABOOM! is seeking a Sr. Manager, Partnerships & Programs in Bethesda, Maryland, to lead initiatives focused on playspace equity. This full-time role involves managing program design, partnerships, and grant monitoring, ensuring effective collaboration with community-based organizations and other stakeholders.

The candidate should have a Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit management, with strong organizational and communication skills. This position requires regional and national travel over 50% of the time.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in grant program management or related role.
• Experience with community-based organizations, especially in under-resourced areas.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic programs to end playspace inequity.
• Lead partnership strategies with national peer nonprofits.
• Oversee coaching and technical assistance for program participants.

Skills

Grant program management

Community partnership development

Communication

Organizational skills

Technical assistance

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Salesforce

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)
• Opportunities for professional development

About the Role:

The Sr. Manager, Partnerships & Programs is a passionate, organized, and racial equity-focused member of KABOOM!'s Play Operations team — sitting at the intersection of external relationships and internal program infrastructure. This is not a traditional grants management role. It is a bridge position between what KABOOM! delivers on the ground and how those programs are built, sustained, and connected to the broader ecosystem of organizations advancing playspace equity. This role owns the programmatic architecture of KABOOM!'s challenge grant work while simultaneously stewarding relationships with community-based partners, donors, strategic partners, and national peer nonprofit organizations — ensuring every partner is engaged thoughtfully, supported effectively, and connected to KABOOM!'s mission in a way that produces real outcomes for kids.

What You'll Do:

Program Design & Management

• In partnership with Playspace Innovation, support the design of program plans, timelines, and budgets — including custom scopes and program objectives — in coordination with internal teams to implement holistic solutions to end playspace inequity.
• Develop and implement program criteria, application, screening, and implementation processes to help drive initiative delivery.
• Lead implementation of pilot projects, evaluate pilots, and draft standard operating procedures following pilot completion.
• Manage strategic programs across assigned areas, ensuring alignment with KABOOM! goals and the needs of project partners.
• Lead thoughtful collaboration with partners to ensure successful implementation of their program plans, including playspace mapping, community mobilization, and evaluation sharing.

National Peer Nonprofit Partnerships

• Develop and lead partnership strategies for KABOOM!'s national peer nonprofit relationships, defining how each partnership can most effectively advance playspace equity and deliver shared outcomes.
• Own a portfolio of national peer nonprofit partnerships, tailoring models and engagement approaches to each organization's assets, reach, and community footprint while ensuring mutual value.
• Cultivate, steward, and grow KABOOM!'s relationships with national peer nonprofit organizations — including YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, C&NN, NRPA, NYLC, and other mission-aligned networks.
• Identify and pursue new national peer nonprofit partnerships in close collaboration with the VP of Strategic Partnerships & Play Innovation.
• Represent KABOOM! at sector convenings, peer organization events, and thought leadership forums.

Technical Assistance, Coaching & Grant Monitoring

• Oversee coaching and technical assistance for program participants — through webinars, newsletters, and one‑on‑one support — coordinating subject matter experts to ensure projects are completed on schedule.
• Direct inclusion of program consultants when applicable, including overseeing RFP development, managing an equitable hiring process, onboarding, and ongoing check‑ins.
• Document partner progress throughout the grant period, tracking milestones and maintaining accurate records through receipt and review of final grant reports.

Regional Stewardship & Learning

• Stay current on local government priorities, funding environments, playspace policy, and equity issues across assigned areas, applying that knowledge to strengthen partner outreach and program design.
• Attend site visits, groundbreakings, community build events, and installations, representing KABOOM! through key project milestones.
• Contribute to knowledge management by documenting lessons learned, updating program playbooks, and sharing process insights with the broader team following each grant cycle.

External Representation & Thought Leadership

• Serve as an externally facing representative of KABOOM!, regularly engaging partners, peer organizations, and sector leaders through meetings, conferences, site visits, and convenings.
• Represent KABOOM!'s programs, values, and approach with clarity and credibility, tailoring messaging to diverse audiences.
• Participate in and contribute to thought leadership forums, panels, and learning communities that shape the future of playspace equity.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify opportunities for strategic visibility and cross‑organizational learning.

Cross-Team Coordination

• Coordinate cross-team work in support of organizational goals for initiatives and strategic partner commitments, facilitating collaboration and accountability across departments.
• Serve as a key connector between external partners and internal teams, ensuring program needs are clearly communicated and effectively resourced.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, urban planning, social work, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5‑7 years of experience in grant program management, community partnership development, or a related nonprofit or public‑sector role.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent programs and partner relationships with a high level of organization, follow‑through, and attention to detail.
• Experience managing or supporting national or multi‑organizational partnerships, including relationship stewardship and mutual value creation.
• Experience operating in complex, cross‑functional environments where influence, systems design, and partnership stewardship were central to success.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience with professional outreach, grant documentation, and stakeholder correspondence.
• Experience reviewing grant applications, conducting partner due diligence, or similar evaluation work.
• Comfort working with legal agreements and cross‑functional teams, including finance and operations stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfort learning new data management tools (e.g., Salesforce, Box, mySidewalk, HandsOn Connect).

Preferred:

• Experience working with community-based organizations in under-resourced communities on capital projects, infrastructure, or place-based initiatives.
• Experience managing national peer nonprofit relationships, coalition partnerships, or sector-level collaboration.
• Knowledge of grant lifecycle management from outreach through close‑out, including compliance tracking.
• Bilingual proficiency (written and spoken) is a plus.

Success Profile:

• Bridge Builder: You operate at the intersection of program delivery and external relationships — translating what KABOOM! does into what partners need, and vice versa.
• Relationship Steward: You invest in partnerships for the long term, bringing consistency, follow-through, and genuine care to every relationship you manage.
• Program Architect: You think in systems — designing and managing the criteria, processes, and tools that keep complex programs running with quality across multiple partners.
• Collaborative Partner: You thrive working alongside internal teams and Regional Partnership Managers, with a clear sense of what you own and a shared commitment to the mission.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel regionally and nationally up to >50% of the time, including site visits, partner meetings, and organizational events.
• Valid driver's license and ability to work a flexible schedule when needed.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment; some in‑person presence may be required.

Other Position Details:

• This position is full‑time
• Location: Bethesda, Maryland/Hybrid (in‑office presence required three days per week)

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. 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.

We actively strive to develop and maintain fully inclusive workspaces. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Note: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.