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 Membership department is focused on enhancing AILA’s membership experience by providing outstanding service and ensuring the continued value of membership. This team drives member recruitment, retention, and engagement, collaborating across departments to align membership offerings with the organization’s strategic goals. By offering tailored support, resources, and fostering a vibrant community, the team works to enhance member value and contribute to the organization’s success.
Position Summary
We are seeking a strategic and experienced Director of Membership to lead and strengthen our national membership strategy. This role is central to advancing member recruitment, retention, and engagement across AILA’s nationwide community, including 39 regional Chapters and five Regions.
The Director of Membership is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, data-informed membership strategy aligned with AILA’s organizational and revenue goals. This role ensures that the value of membership remains relevant, meaningful, and responsive to member needs.
This is not a marketing role; however, it works in close partnership with Marketing, IT, Finance, and other departments to ensure a consistent, high-quality member experience across the organization.
If you are a seasoned association leader who understands the full membership lifecycle — and who values thoughtful, data-informed strategy paired with strong operational execution — we invite you to apply.
Essential Job Functions
Membership Strategy & Growth
- Develop and refine AILA’s membership and affiliated groups strategy
- Lead recruitment, retention, and engagement initiatives
- Monitor retention metrics and implement proactive improvement efforts
- Evaluate and evolve member benefits and services
- Strengthen outreach to new and diverse member markets
- Oversee the biennial Member Survey and integrate findings into strategy
Community & Engagement
- Partner with IT and internal teams to evolve AILA’s community platform
- Support the growth and management of AILA’s Affiliated Paralegals
- Ensure consistent member experience across national and chapter levels
Reporting & Performance
- Oversee statistical and financial reporting related to membership performance
- Provide regular updates to senior leadership and the Board
- Develop and manage the department’s annual budget and goals
Department Leadership
- Supervise the Member Engagement Manager and Member Services Manager
- Lead performance management, professional development, and team operations
- Maintain high standards for member services and data integrity within the association management system
Qualifications - Undergraduate degree required (CAE designation a plus)
- Minimum six (6) years of progressive association membership experience
- At least three (3) years in a strategic leadership role
- Prior supervisory experience required
- Demonstrated success in recruitment and retention strategy
- Strong budget management and financial oversight experience
- Advanced familiarity with Association Management Systems
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and volunteer engagement skills
The ideal candidate brings both strategic vision and practical execution experience, understands trends in association membership, and is comfortable leading through collaboration in a fully remote environment.
Remote – The role is eligible for Remote work
This is a fully remote position. Candidates must have reliable technology, internet access, and a professional home workspace.
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.
Occasional travel 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.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements This role requires maintaining a professional presence in both remote and in-person settings. The position involves extended periods of sitting, frequent use of a computer workstation, and regular communication with colleagues and stakeholders via virtual platforms. While infrequent, the role may require lifting or moving items up to 25 pounds.
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.
