Development Operations Specialist

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization.  Job Description: Position Title: Development Operations Specialist Position Type: Full Time FLSA Classification: Exempt Department: Development Reports to: Chief Development Officer Date Reviewed: April 1, 2026  About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary: Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission. The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary opened in downtown Bentonville in 2020 and is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. You belong here: make the most of this moment. Position Summary: The Development Operations Specialist supports the Development team by ensuring accuracy, consistency, and efficiency across donor systems, documentation, and workflows. This role is responsible for executing core development operations functions including gift agreement processing, database administration, sponsorship tracking, and reporting support. The Specialist plays a critical role in maintaining system integrity, supporting compliance, and enabling Development staff to focus on donor engagement and fundraising strategy. Principal Responsibilities: Gift Agreements & Compliance - Draft, route, execute, and file gift and sponsorship agreements from proposal through completion - Ensure gift agreement terms align with approved benefits, recognition standards, and institutional policy - Manage DocuSign workflows, approvals, execution, and agreement status tracking - Receive fully executed agreements and gift processing documentation and store them in Tessitura and SharePoint using standard naming conventions - Investigate discrepancies as they arise across systems or documents with coordination across multiple individuals   Systems Management, Reporting & Data Integrity - Maintain alignment across Tessitura, SharePoint, dashboards, and benefit tracking systems - Run ad hoc Tessitura reports, partnering with Data Strategy as needed - Audit Gift Processing Forms (GPFs) to ensure alignment with approved plans and executed agreements - Partner with Data Strategy on Tessitura training related to development plans - Update constituent records when needed to ensure accuracy and completeness Sponsor Benefits & Recognition Oversight - Maintain sponsor benefit charts - Ensure sponsor recognition and benefits are not activated prior to agreement execution - Resolve discrepancies related to sponsor benefits or documentation - Identify and flag sponsors confirmed after programs or exhibitions have launched Development Operations & Process Management - Meet with Development Officers to review dashboards, address questions, and resolve discrepancies - Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures for development workflows - Train Development Officers on systems, documentation requirements, and handoff processes - Identify gaps or inefficiencies and recommend improvements to Development operations workflows   Prospect Management & Research - Conduct prospect research to support Development strategy - Assign new prospects to portfolios based on direction from Development leadership - Manage and oversee the Development Intern, including supervision, training, and work assignment   Additional Responsibilities: - Serve as a cross-functional liaison across Development, Donor & Museum Relations, Marketing, Finance, IT, and Data Strategy - Perform other related duties as assigned to support evolving Development operations, strategic initiatives, and cross-departmental priorities   Qualifications and Skills: Required - Associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience - 5+ years of experience in development operations, advancement services, nonprofit administration, or a related field - Demonstrated experience managing gift or sponsorship agreements, including drafting, routing, execution, and documentation - Strong working knowledge of fundraising databases/CRMs (Tessitura preferred) and document management systems (e.g., SharePoint) - Experience managing electronic signature workflows (e.g., DocuSign) - Proven ability to ensure data integrity and resolve discrepancies across systems, documents, and stakeholders - Experience developing and maintaining standard operating procedures and training colleagues on systems and workflows - Excellent organizational, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines - High level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential donor information Preferred - Direct experience with Tessitura, including gift processing, plans, and reporting - Experience with sponsorship benefits, recognition standards, or fulfillment tracking - Familiarity with prospect research and portfolio management - Experience working in a museum, cultural institution, or complex nonprofit environment - Prior experience supervising interns or project-based staff Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. - Physical demands: In the work environment described below, position requires utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time and good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching for filing. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to independently travel in the local area. - Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, and in communities served. The office may have an open layout requiring close proximity to colleagues. Workspace must be organized and reflect efficiency. The noise level in the Museum work environment is usually low to moderate. Occasional evening and weekend work hours are required. All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States. Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.