Governance Manager

We Are

Headquartered in downtown, Washington, DC, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is an organization comprised of nearly 17,000 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.

Department Summary

The Governance Department supports AILA’s leadership and decision-making structures, including the Board of Governors, Chapters, and key committees. It leads efforts related to leadership cultivation and recognition, manages committee selection processes, and ensures governance activities are inclusive, transparent, and aligned with AILA’s values. 

Position Summary

The Governance Manager provides essential project management and administrative support to the Association’s governance functions. This role ensures that AILA’s Board of Governors and governance-related committees operate smoothly, efficiently, and with purpose, helping to guide and uphold AILA’s policies. The Governance Manager works collaboratively across departments to coordinate governance activities, manage documentation, and facilitate communication with Board members and committees.

The role requires exceptional organization, judgment, and communication skills, as well as a keen understanding of nonprofit governance and volunteer dynamics. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and is committed to advancing good governance and equity practices in a mission-driven setting.

This position operates with general supervision and is expected to manage day-to-day responsibilities with a high degree of independence.

Key Responsibilities:

Governance and Board Operations - 50%

• Partner closely with the Director of Governance, Equity & Leadership Strategy to plan and execute Board meetings and the Annual Membership Meeting. Collaborate with internal teams to collect, organize, and distribute Board materials and deliverables.
• Manage the collection, review, and publication of corporate records and meeting minutes for the Board and governance committees.
• Draft, ghostwrite, and distribute communications to Board members and the wider membership as needed.
• Oversee the collection and maintenance of Board member information, including voluntary and mandatory forms such as Conflict-of-Interest disclosures, surveys, and attendance records, in collaboration with the Governance Coordinator.
• Facilitate the upkeep and development of governance documents, including bylaws, committee charters, policies, and procedural manuals.
• Support the Finance team during the annual audit by compiling and providing necessary governance records and materials promptly.
• Lead the annual elections process, coordinating all communications and managing the ballot distribution and collection.
• Serve as a resource and point of contact for governance-related inquiries from Board members, committee members, and staff.
• Assist the Director of Governance, Equity & Leadership Strategy in maintaining consistent engagement and communication with the Board throughout the year.

Committee Management - 50%

• Support the Chief Governance and Leadership Strategy Officer and the Director of Governance, Equity & Leadership Strategy in managing key committees, including Awards, Bylaws, Equity & Belonging, Governance, Nominating, and Membership Committees.
• Oversee processes such as waiver requests and Civility Code complaint reviews.
• Provide support to additional governance committees and task forces as they arise.
• Manage the collection, review, and publication of meeting minutes and corporate records for all governance-related committees and task forces.

This position may have supervisory responsibility for an assistant/coordinator-level staff member. Duties may include assigning and reviewing work, providing ongoing guidance and informal feedback, and supporting professional development. Formal performance evaluations and personnel decisions will be made in collaboration with department leadership.

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 hybrid/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.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 3–5 years of experience supporting governance functions, board management, or committee coordination in a nonprofit or association environment.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit governance best practices, including familiarity with bylaws, committee charters, and board policies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting formal communications and governance documents.
• Proven organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• High attention to detail and accuracy, especially in managing corporate records and official documents.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint); familiarity with tools such as Zoom, Teams, and project management systems, such as Smartsheet to track deadlines, manage workflows, and coordinate across teams.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles as they relate to governance and organizational leadership.
• Experience supporting large boards or multi-committee structures.

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 and 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.