Manager, People Operations & Performance

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 play spaces are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. We unite with communities to build kid-designed play spaces that can spark joy and foster a sense of belonging for the kids who are often denied opportunities to thrive.

At KABOOM!, we believe in supporting your well-being, financial security, and professional growth. Our total rewards package includes:

• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 6% employer match
• Annual bonus eligibility based on team and individual performance
• Student Loan Assistance Program
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life insurance, wellness resources, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible and generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Opportunities for professional development

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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
• 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…