Manager, Nonprofit Partnerships Development

First Book • Washington, DC

25d • $60,000 - $69,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Nonprofit Partnership Development Manager is responsible for identifying, developing, and managing strategic partnerships with nonprofit, educational, and community-based organizations to support First Book’s mission to reduce barriers to education for children in under-resourced communities. This role works in close collaboration with the Nonprofit Partnerships Development team and designated cross-functional internal stakeholders to advance partnership initiatives aligned with approved organizational strategies and priorities. The Manager represents First Book in external meetings and discussions related to partnership development and is responsible for advancing partnerships through defined stages—from initial engagement to execution—consistent with internal review, approval, and governance processes.
This position requires a strategic, highly organized professional who performs effectively in collaborative, externally facing environments and exercises sound judgment within established role authority. The successful candidate demonstrates the ability to clearly communicate First Book’s value proposition, assess partner needs, and identify partnership opportunities that support resource distribution and network growth when engaging with nonprofit and school district leaders. Performance in this role is evaluated based on measurable partnership progress, the quality and timeliness of execution, the accuracy and completeness of partnership documentation, the effectiveness of cross-functional coordination, and professionalism in internal and external communications. This role does not independently bind the organization to agreements and operates within defined approval and escalation frameworks.

Requirements

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in external client, partner, or account management roles.
• Demonstrated experience building, managing, and sustaining professional relationships with external stakeholders.
• Experience developing lead generation or partnership development strategies.
• Experience preparing grant proposals, partnership proposals, or responding to philanthropic RFPs.
• Strong business writing and presentation skills, including preparation of executive-facing and partner-facing materials.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including managing timelines, deliverables, and competing priorities.
• Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) systems, such as Salesforce, for tracking partner activity and opportunities.
• Experience using project management tools, such as Monday or similar platforms.
• Proficiency with standard business software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and advance strategic opportunities within existing and prospective nonprofit partnerships to support aligned objectives and maximize impact.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with mission-aligned nonprofit and education organizations through appropriate outreach, networking, and ongoing engagement.
• Support the development and execution of nonprofit partnerships in collaboration with the Director of Nonprofit Partnerships and designated senior leaders, consistent with internal approval processes.
• Serve as the primary day-to-day point of contact for assigned partnerships, ensuring communications, meetings, and follow-ups are timely, accurate, professional, and well-documented.
• Support the development and presentation of partnership concepts, pitches, and materials aligned with First Book’s mission, strategy, and approved messaging.
• Prepare and contribute to partnership documentation, including concept briefs, proposals, RFP responses, and presentations, in coordination with internal stakeholders.
• Project manage assigned partnership initiatives by developing and tracking timelines, deliverables, and milestones using approved project management tools.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant education and education equity trends to inform partnership planning, discussions, and execution.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in Salesforce and other approved systems to track prospects, opportunities, partner accounts, and partnership status.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to support partnership activities that advance organizational objectives, including network growth and approved revenue initiatives.
• Manage multiple partnership priorities, apply strategic and tactical judgment, and adapt to changing needs while meeting established deadlines with accuracy and professionalism.
• Complete partnership-related special projects and participate in limited travel as required, consistent with role scope, organizational priorities, and applicable safety or public health considerations.

Benefits

• Eligibility for medical and dental insurance coverage, in accordance with plan terms.
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, subject to plan provisions.
• Paid vacation leave, accrued in accordance with organizational policy.
• Paid sick leave, provided in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Up to twelve (12) paid holidays annually, subject to organizational schedule and business needs.
• Eligibility to participate in the organization’s 401(k) retirement plan, including employer matching contributions, in accordance with plan documents.
• Eligibility for an employer-provided parking stipend, subject to program guidelines and business needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees