Senior Manager, Strategic Communications

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 Senior 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

•  Develop and execute communications plans and strategies to raise awareness of the KABOOM! mission.
• Lead the development of thought leadership 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 messaging frameworks, talking points, one-pagers, press releases, quotes, blogs, annual reports, etc.
•  Seek storytelling opportunities to highlight our work with communities, partners, municipal partners, peer organizations, government leaders, etc.
•  Manage media opportunities, including prepping spokespeople with audience identification, topic background, and key messaging.
• Identify and secure opportunities to highlight KABOOM! at conferences and special events.
•  Provide strategic communications guidance to support 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 Cision.

Additional Requirements:

•  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.

Essential Job Functions:

Ability to maintain acceptable standards of office conducts 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. COVID-19 vaccination required.

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.