Senior Awards Manager

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Position Title: Senior Awards Manager

Reporting to: Director, Engagement, Awards & Impact

Location: Bentonville, AR

Salary Range: $70,600 – $106,000

Art Bridges Foundation is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. Since 2017, Art Bridges has created and supported projects that bring outstanding works of American art out of storage and into communities. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of over 200 museums of all sizes and locations on nearly 900 projects—impacting more than 5.3 million people across 49 states and Puerto Rico—to provide financial and strategic support for exhibition development, loans from the Art Bridges Collection and Partner Loan Network, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local audiences. The Art Bridges Collection represents an expanding vision of American art from the 19th century to present day and encompasses multiple media and voices. For more information, visit artbridgesfoundation.org.

The Senior Awards Manager will lead a team charged with the management and implementation of all components of awards processing from application to award disbursement, improving systems and processes and building a culture that values the importance of efficient, flexible, and equitable awards management practices. The ideal candidate for this position is collaborative, detail-oriented, and diplomatic professional. You will manage direct reports, work independently on a portfolio of awards, and develop funding guidelines and processes for emerging initiatives in alignment with the foundation’s strategic objectives. Preferred candidates will be passionate about expanding access to art with skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, research, writing, and building interpersonal relationships.

• Manage a portfolio of awards, including identifying process efficiencies, and advising partners in preparation and revision of financial components of applications and final reports
• Prepare, process, track, and audit internal award-related documents such as applications, dockets, award letters, and payment documentation in Salesforce and Asana
• Lead docket preparation and award materials compilation processes for monthly CEO approval
• Ensure all awards are administered in compliance with legal, financial, and regulatory requirements
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior awards staff and interns, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment
• In collaboration with Director, Engagement, Awards & Impact design strategy for Awards team to deliver key results of the foundation’s strategic plan
• Lead regular department meetings and ensure daily department activities are aligned with the foundation’s strategic objectives
• Develop and track annual department budget
• Collaborate across the organization to develop relevant data integrity reporting and dashboards
• Stay informed about best practices in philanthropy and the arts sector
• Other projects as assigned

• Enthusiasm to join an organization that’s evolving and poised to have a major impact on the museum field
• A commitment and passion for the power of art to transform lives
• Positive attitude, collaborative spirit, and sense of humor
• Creativity, flexibility, and curiosity
• Ability to anticipate and solve problems proactively
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to mediate diverse opinions to address shared needs
• High degrees of initiative and discretionAn interest in joining an organization that is evolving and poised to have a major impact on the museum field
• An interest in art and its power to transform lives
• Creativity, flexibility, and curiosity
• Ability to anticipate and solve problems proactively
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to mediate diverse opinions to address shared needs
• High degree of initiative and discretion

• Bachelor's degree with coursework in business, nonprofit management, arts administration or related field
• Minimum of 8+ years’ proven, progressive experience in an awards management capacity at a private foundation
• Knowledge of financial management and budgeting for awards and programs
• Knowledge of philanthropic, nonprofit, and/or business standards and topics
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly interpret and articulate complex information to diverse audiences
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Familiarity using Salesforce or another awards management software
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• Responsive and personable with internal and external partners
• Ability to be flexible, think critically and exercise discretion and independent judgment
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities with strong attention to accuracy and detail
• Demonstrated capacity to work as part of a team, as well as independently
• Ability to understand and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality

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: Position requires utilizing a computer and telephone for prolonged periods of time, good eye/hand coordination, verbal and written conversation with others, and lifting/carrying up to 10 lbs. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.

Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment full-time. The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate. Some overnight travel may be necessary on occasion.

At Art Bridges, diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are central to all work and decisions made within our organization. We support our colleagues and partners in learning and growing together to make this important work part of our daily lives.

Art Bridges is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans 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.

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 on your first day of work.