Manager, Strategic Alliances (Corporate Partnerships)

ABOUT FIRST BOOK

First Book is a leading nonprofit social enterprise and leader in philanthropic public-private sector partnerships focused on removing barriers to education for children in need. Through partnerships with national brands and organizations, First Book has distributed over 225 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving kids in under-resourced communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Strategic Alliances Manager drives high-impact corporate partnerships that expand access to books and educational resources for children in need. As the primary relationship owner for an assigned portfolio — including national brands like Disney, KPMG, Netflix, Intel, Pizza Hut, and Kendra Scott — this role leads campaign execution, tracks engagement, reports impact, and identifies opportunities for growth, working cross-functionally to ensure every partnership delivers results aligned with First Book’s mission.

This role is ideal for a partnership, fundraising, or account management professional who is eager to deepen their experience in corporate social responsibility and cause marketing within a mission-driven organization. The Manager serves as a key contributor on the Strategic Alliances team, helping steward existing relationships, execute campaigns, and identify opportunities for engagement and growth. This position offers meaningful exposure to partnership strategy, cross-functional collaboration, and portfolio development. Over time, the role offers opportunities for expanded responsibility based on demonstrated performance and organizational needs.

The Manager collaborates extensively with colleagues across the organization to ensure partnership initiatives align with First Book’s mission and operational goals. This position reports directly to the Sr. Director of Strategic Alliances, Corporate Partnerships. 

What does the Manager of Strategic Alliances do at First Book?

The Manager of Strategic Alliances manages and supports relationships with corporate partners who fund and collaborate on programs that expand access to books and educational resources for children in need. This role serves as a primary point of contact for assigned partners, helping execute campaigns, track engagement, report impact, and identify opportunities for continued collaboration. The Manager works closely with internal teams to ensure partnerships are implemented effectively and aligned with organizational goals.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

• Portfolio Ownership: Retain and grow an assigned corporate partner portfolio — meeting established retention targets and identifying a defined number of qualified expansion opportunities each quarter.
• Campaign Execution: Lead partnership campaigns end-to-end — on time, within budget, and aligned to documented scopes — with full accountability for cross-functional delivery.
• Impact & Reporting: Own partner reporting and pipeline integrity — delivering accurate, data-driven impact reports on deadline and maintaining Salesforce records within required timeframes.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain established partner retention goals and identify a defined number of qualified expansion opportunities per quarter.
• Lead partnership campaigns and initiatives, delivering projects on time, within budget, and in alignment with documented scopes and cross-functional timelines.
• Maintain accurate Salesforce records by entering partner activities within required timeframes (generally within 48 hours) and completing weekly pipeline updates.
• Develop and submit data-driven partner impact reports by required deadlines, ensuring accuracy and use of standardized reporting templates.
• Coordinate cross-functional deliverables according to agreed timelines and ensure internal stakeholders receive required materials or updates within established service levels.
• Produce quarterly summaries highlighting philanthropic, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and cause-marketing trends and identify potential impacts or opportunities for the partner portfolio.
• Conduct monthly reviews of partner business developments and document recommendations for renewals, expansions, or engagement adjustments.
• Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and classification of this position.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to First Book’s mission of expanding educational access for children in need.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and manage competing priorities in a matrixed environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to inform reporting, recommendations, and decision-making — not just describe results.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills, including partner-facing correspondence and executive-level reporting.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with attention to detail.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in business administration, nonprofit management, marketing, communications, public relations, social impact, or a related field required.

Skills & Experience

• Demonstrated ability to manage and retain corporate partner, client, or donor relationships with a track record of measurable outcomes and identified growth opportunities.
• Proven ability to lead partnership campaigns and initiatives across cross-functional teams, including timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Experience developing partner reports, summaries, or presentations using standardized templates and verified data.
• Experience with Salesforce or a comparable Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, with a track record of accurate, timely data entry and pipeline reporting.
• Background in corporate partnerships, strategic alliances, account management, fundraising, or cause-marketing environments.
• Familiarity with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), philanthropic giving, or cause-marketing trends and how they shape corporate engagement strategy.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary Range: $75000 (non-negotiable)

All full-time employees are eligible for the following:

• Medical and dental insurance coverage
• Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays annually
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions
• Employer-provided parking stipend (Washington, DC)

TO APPLY

• Submit a resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in this position.
• Only applications submitted through First Book's approved platform will be considered.
• Applications submitted through external or unapproved sites will not be reviewed.
  • First Book does not accept unsolicited recruiter submissions and does not pay fees for resumes submitted outside of a formal written agreement.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

First Book is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, District of Columbia, or local law.

EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION, SPONSORSHIP, AND ACCURACY OF ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Employment Authorization and Sponsorship Statement

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and must maintain valid work authorization throughout their employment.

First Book does not sponsor employment-based visas or participate in immigration programs that require employer-specific obligations, such as training plans, reporting requirements, or compliance filings.

Misrepresentation of Employment Eligibility

Falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information related to employment eligibility, work authorization status, or visa classification will disqualify a candidate from further consideration. If such misrepresentation is discovered after an offer has been extended, First Book reserves the right to withdraw the offer. If discovered after employment begins, it may result in immediate termination.

Candidates are required to provide truthful, accurate, and complete information regarding their work authorization status at the time of application and throughout the hiring process. Any change in work authorization status must be reported to First Book immediately.

WORK PRESENCE & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

• This position is structured as a hybrid role and requires regular in-office presence at First Book's Washington, DC office on designated days to support collaboration and partnership activities.
• Reasonable accommodation will be considered in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Relocation assistance is not provided.