Position Title: Communications Manager
Department: Marketing and Communications
Reports To: Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Classification (hourly or salary): Salary
About KABOOM!
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.
Position Summary
The Manager, Strategic Communications is responsible for driving the communications that help raise awareness of the KABOOM! mission. This role leads and implements diverse communications activities such as creating and implementing comprehensive communications plans, researching and drafting thought leadership content; developing organizational messaging; leading community and partner storytelling opportunities; managing media opportunities; securing speaking opportunities for leadership at events and conferences; etc.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Execute communications plans to raise awareness of the KABOOM! mission.
- Lead the development of external communications content, including identifying key audiences, researching and incorporating relevant data and drafting content that reinforces our messaging.
- Craft and update organizational messaging and diverse content about our key initiatives, including partner communications, talking points, one-pagers, press releases, quotes, blogs, annual reports, etc.
- Seek storytelling opportunities to highlight our work with communities, funding and community partners, systems partners, peer organizations, government leaders, etc.
- Manage media opportunities, including prepping spokespeople with audience identification, topic background, and key messaging.
- Distribute regular media coverage reports.
- Provide communications guidance to staff that supports fundraising and programs opportunities
Education and Experience Required
- Bachelors’ degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or related field.
- At least seven years of marketing and communications experience.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Philanthropic experience is strongly desired.
- Experience working with external vendors, agencies or consultants.
- Demonstrated success pitching and working with members of the media..
- Working knowledge of online media tracking tools, such as Cisios
Specific Skills/Knowledge
- Ability to work effectively in formal and informal teams with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability and willingness to build relationships across differences and discuss issues of structural and institutional racism.
- Can provide productive direction and feedback when guiding creative agencies and internal cross-functional teams.
- Ability to proactively manage multiple deliverables in a timely, efficient manner.
- Detail oriented, with the ability to keep the big picture in mind as well.
Other Position Details
- This position is full-time
- Location: Bethesda, Maryland/Hybrid
Our goal is to have competitive and equitable compensation. We have a market-based compensation
approach which means that we benchmark each role from reputable data sources. We compare our
benchmarks against similarly sized non-profit organizations with comparable annual budgets and
geographical areas. We pay the same rate for the same roles and adjust to comply with statutory
mandates.
We take care of our employees by providing benefits and perks which include but not limited to the
following:
- Annual bonus based on team and individual goal attainment.
- Robust benefits package, including options for medical, dental, vision, and
health/wellness.
- Generous 403(b) match of up to 6% of employee contribution
- Flexible time off inclusive of PTO, floating holidays and special days
- Opportunities for professional development
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.
Additional Requirements
Individual has the ability and willingness to build relationships across differences and discuss
issues of structural and institutional racism.
Essential Job Functions
Office Staff – “Ability to maintain acceptable standards of office conduct and work cooperatively
as an effective team member of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Communicates with others, sits or
moves about the office to coordinate work and uses a computer as well as other office equipment as
needed.”
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.