Manager, People Operations & Performance

Who We Are: KABOOM!•Bethesda, MD

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, People Operations & Performance is a critical leader within the Culture & People function, responsible for designing, managing, and continuously improving KABOOM!’s performance management, learning & development, benefits administration, and people data strategy, while ensuring strong compliance and operational excellence. This role requires a hands-on leader and systems thinker - someone who can run complex programs end-to-end, partner effectively with leaders, analyze data deeply, and proactively evolve people practices to meet the organization’s needs today and in the future.

Requirements

3-5 years of progressive HR experience, with direct ownership of performance management, L&D, benefits, and compliance
Proven experience operating at the manager level, leading complex programs with autonomy and judgment
Strong background in people analytics, data interpretation, and reporting - beyond surface-level metrics
Deep understanding of employment compliance and HR best practices
Experience partnering closely with senior leaders and influencing without authority
Exceptional project management, organizational, and communication skills
Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
A builder, not a maintainer - someone who sees what’s possible and knows how to get there
Comfortable operating in a dynamic, evolving environment
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and analytically strong
Confident owning workstreams and making recommendations grounded in data and best practice
Mission-aligned and values-driven

Responsibilities

Performance Management & Organizational Effectiveness
Own and manage KABOOM!’s performance management lifecycle, including goal setting, feedback cycles, calibration, reviews, and continuous improvement
Partner with senior leaders and managers to ensure performance expectations are clear, fair, and consistently applied across the organization
Analyze performance data and trends to assess effectiveness, identify gaps, and recommend improvements
Develop tools, guidance, and training to support strong performance conversations, accountability, and development planning
Learning & Development
Lead the design and execution of a thoughtful, data-informed learning and development strategy aligned to organizational and departmental needs
Partner with leaders to assess capability gaps and customize learning solutions by function, role, or level
Manage L&D programs end-to-end - from needs assessment and planning through implementation, measurement, and reporting on impact
Continuously evaluate and iterate on learning programs to ensure relevance, effectiveness, and ROI
Benefits & Total Rewards Operations
Serve as the primary owner of benefits administration, working closely with brokers and internal partners
Ensure benefits programs are well-managed, compliant, clearly communicated, and aligned with employee needs
Partner with Culture & People leadership to support total rewards strategy and employee experience
People Data, Analytics & Reporting
Own and ensure the accuracy, integrity, and strategic use of people data across the function
Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting related to performance, engagement, learning, benefits utilization, and workforce trends
Translate data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for leaders and senior leadership
Proactively use data to identify risks, opportunities, and areas for continuous improvement across people programs
Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws, regulations, and internal policies
Maintain and evolve HR processes and documentation to support audits, risk mitigation, and best practices
Partner with legal, finance, and external advisors as needed to ensure compliance and operational rigor
Proactively monitor changes in employment law and recommend updates to policies and practices
Leadership & Continuous Improvement
Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Senior Director of Culture & People and organizational leaders
Lead projects independently, managing timelines, stakeholders, and outcomes
Continuously evaluate people programs and operations, recommending and implementing improvements throughout the year
Model ownership, accountability, and a forward-thinking mindset within the Culture & People team