Operations & Development Manager

Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville is seeking an Operations & Development Manager to drive our mission by managing operations, systems, and fundraising activities.

The role supports grant writing, individual donor stewardship, sponsor cultivation, and CRM/database administration while coordinating office workflows and events for statewide programming, including biannual craft fairs.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in non-profit operations, fundraising or arts administration.
• Experience with donor CRM systems and data management.
• Strong written communication tailored to diverse audiences.
• Accurate data entry and logistics tracking.

Responsibilities

• Drive fundraising and development: grant writing, donor stewardship, and sponsor cultivation.
• Oversee operations: office workflows, vendor relations, and IT infrastructure.
• Coordinate craft fairs and events: artist registration, site logistics, permits, and on-site operations.
• Support statewide chapter and member management: memberships and administrative tasks.
• Assist with accounts payable/receivable and budgeting with bookkeeper.

Skills

CRM databases

Fundraising

Non-profit operations

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

QuickBooks

Google Workspace

Microsoft 365

Job description

Job Type: Full-time, hybrid
Classification: Exempt
Work Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. including some evenings, weekends and overnight travel.
Salary: $40,000-45,000 annually, paid monthly
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Nashville, Tennessee

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Operations & Development Manager plays a vital dual role in driving the mission of Tennessee Craft. This position manages key operational logistics, internal systems, and database administration while supporting revenue development through grant writing, individual donor stewardship, and sponsor cultivation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Development & Fundraising (approx. 50%)

• Grant Writing & Management: Identify, write, and submit grant proposals to public agencies, corporate foundations, and private foundations. Track grant cycles, compliance, and reporting deliverables.
• Donor & Membership Stewardship: Oversee individual giving campaigns, annual appeals, and membership renewal pipelines. Work closely with the Executive Director to identify and cultivate major donors.
• Corporate Sponsorships: Support the outreach, pitch creation, and fulfillment process for corporate sponsors supporting Tennessee Craft Fairs and statewide educational programming.
• Database Administration: Maintain the donor/CRM database with accuracy; track gifts, send timely acknowledgments, and generate financial reports for board meetings and audit preparation.

Operations & Chapter/Member Support (approx. 50%)

• Office & Systems Management: Oversee daily administrative workflows, office supplies, mailings, vendor relationships, and IT infrastructure.
• Craft Fairs & Event Logistics: Serve as a key operational team member for the Spring and Fall Tennessee Craft Fairs. Coordinate vendor contracts, artist registration, site logistics, permits, and on-site event operations.
• Statewide Chapter & Member Liaison: Provide administrative support to regional chapter leaders and process new/renewing TN Craft memberships.
• Financial Operations Support: Assist with accounts payable/receivable, invoice tracking, deposit preparation, and budget reconciliation in coordination with the bookkeeper/accountant.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in non-profit operations, fundraising/development, or arts administration.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with CRM/donor databases (e.g., Salesforce), financial software (e.g., QuickBooks), and office software (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365).
• Communication: Exceptional written communication skills with the ability to tailor narratives for artistic, corporate, and philanthropic audiences.
• Detail Orientation: High degree of accuracy in data entry, record-keeping, and logistics tracking.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in a craft or craft-related field, including arts administration
• Deep passion for traditional/contemporary fine craft, Tennessee’s cultural traditions, and the state’s creative economy.
• Demonstrated success writing grant proposals or supporting successful fundraising campaigns.

Environmental Conditions and Physical Demands

• Normal office work environment in Nashville, TN, with options for remote flexibility.
• Must be able to work extended hours, evenings, and weekends during peak event periods (especially during the biannual Spring and Fall Craft Fairs).
• Ability to move, set up, and transport event equipment (up to 50 lbs) during events.