The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Governance Department supports AILA's leadership and decision-making structures, including the Board, Chapters, Regions, and key committees, and leads efforts related to leadership cultivation and recognition, committee selection, and ensuring governance activities are inclusive, transparent, and values-aligned.
The Senior Volunteer & Component Relations Manager is a central coordinator and operational lead for AILA's volunteer leadership ecosystem. You'll own the full annual cycle of committee assignment, member recognition, and component engagement - working with elected leaders, senior staff, and internal partners to ensure consistency, transparency, and excellence across all governance touchpoints.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Volunteer Selection & Recognition (50%)
• Lead the annual committee assignment process — managing timelines, member and staff communications, and facilitating selection meetings with Officers
• Maintain and evolve AILA's volunteer talent database, ensuring accuracy of member interests, skills, experience, and demographics
• Serve as first responder for the Volunteers shared inbox, triaging and escalating inquiries from members and staff
• Lead member recognition initiatives at the Chapter, Regional, and National level — from awards nomination through final recognition
Volunteer Engagement (50%)
• Provide operational and administrative support to the College of Past Presidents and five Regional Coordination Committees, including scheduling, agendas, minutes, and follow-up
• Support AILA's regional structure by coordinating established processes, timelines, and communications directed by senior governance staff
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and reduce administrative burden for volunteer leaders and staff
• Monitor listservs to identify trends, surface emerging issues, and share opportunities to improve guidance and resources
• Strengthen component leader communities through staff-supported forums that encourage collaboration and adherence to AILA standards
• Maintain close coordination with internal departments to ensure components receive accurate, consistent tools and information
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of experience in volunteer engagement, association management, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience managing complex timelines and multi-stakeholder processes
• Strong understanding of association best practices for working with volunteer leaders
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of building trust-based relationships with volunteer leaders and staff
• Proven project management and organizational skills - managing multiple deadlines, coordinating logistics, and keeping stakeholders informed
• Exceptional attention to detail and follow-through in a remote or hybrid environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint); comfort with tools such as Zoom, Teams, and project management platforms like Smartsheet
You'll Thrive in This Role If You...
• Work independently and proactively - you don't wait to be told; you anticipate what's needed
• Stay calm and solutions-oriented when navigating competing priorities or complex personalities
• Communicate clearly in writing and verbally across a range of audiences, from volunteer attorneys to executive staff
• Are meticulous about data integrity and documentation
• Exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality in sensitive governance matters
WORK ENVIRONMENT & TRAVEL
Remote – The role is eligible for Remote work.
Our Remote Work Strategy is designed to ensure connection while minimizing costs and inconvenience. Talent residing within 50 miles of our National Office located in Washington, D.C., located in the nation’s capital, will be given preference. For roles outside this, we seek candidates within 50 miles of a major airport. This strategy helps us enhance collaboration, optimize travel costs, and strengthen in-person engagement while ensuring we remain cost-effective and mission-driven. Candidates outside these areas may be considered on a case-by-case basis based on role requirements and organizational needs.
This role requires maintaining a professional demeanor in a remote/office work setting. Responsibilities include extended periods of sitting at a desk, frequent use of a PC workstation for prolonged hours, occasional verbal communication with team members and stakeholders via virtual platforms, and the possibility of lifting or moving items up to 25 pounds, though this is not likely to be a frequent requirement.
This role may occasionally require evening or weekend availability due to the nature of volunteer-driven governance activity.
Occasional travel may be required based on business needs, including meetings, conferences, site visits, etc., with advance notice provided whenever possible. This travel could involve both domestic and international destinations, with overnight stays and weekend events included.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary range provided reflects a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on AILA's commitment to equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, years of experience, certifications or professional licenses, job-related skills, internal equity, and business needs.
Our compensation structure is based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations. Typically, individuals are hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role. Compensation decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, considering the unique facts and circumstances of each applicant.
Additionally, full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in AILA's comprehensive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, an employee assistance program, a 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 3 months of employment, generous paid time off, paid parental leave, professional development opportunities, and employer-paid life insurance and disability benefits.
Application Process
To ensure a complete application, all candidates must submit the required materials, including a resume and cover letter, through our application portal. As part of our interview process, candidates may be asked to participate in virtual interviews, which will require on-camera presence.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible interview experience. If you require accommodations due to a disability or sincerely held religious beliefs - such as an alternative format or assistance during the interview - please let us know in advance, and we will make every effort to support your needs.
Eligibility to Work In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, we are required to hire only individuals who are authorized to work in the United States. Applicants selected for employment will need to provide documentation verifying their eligibility to work in the U.S. without the need for employer sponsorship. AILA participates in E-Verify to confirm work authorization. For more information on E-Verify, please visit dhs.gov/E-Verify.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association ("AILA") is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
Headquartered in downtown, Washington, DC, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is an organization comprised of over 16,000 individual attorney members who practice and teach immigration law. For our members, we provide continuing legal education, information, advocacy, professional services, and expertise. Founded in 1946, AILA's mission is to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.
