Component Relations 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 Component Relations Manager serves as the primary liaison between AILA’s National Office and its 39 volunteer-led Chapters. This role is responsible for building strong relationships with Chapter leaders, supporting effective local governance, and ensuring consistency, compliance, and alignment with national policies and goals.

This position manages all aspects of Chapter operations support, including onboarding and training of Chapter officers, maintenance of Chapter resources and templates, ongoing communications, and policy guidance. The Component Relations Manager ensures Chapters are equipped to deliver value to their members, comply with key administrative and fiscal responsibilities, and serve as engaged extensions of the national association.

Key Responsibilities

Chapter Officer Support – 50%

• Serve as the main point of contact for 39 Chapters, providing timely responsive guidance to Chapter Chairs and other officers.
• Coordinate and facilitate Chapter Chair calls, including agenda setting, materials prep, and follow-up.
• Maintain the Volunteer Leader Resources page and update, regularly updating templates, FAQs, and training materials to reflect current policies and practices.
• Manage onboarding and orientation for new Chapter Chairs and other officers.

Component Support and Compliance – 30%

• Provide ongoing communication and follow-up regarding component requirements, including fiscal policies, filings, and annual filings, and other compliance-related items.
• Support the annual Chapter Liaison appointment and tracking process, in coordination with the Governance Coordinator.
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of new member notifications to Chapters.
• Collaborate with the Governance Coordinator to manage and update Chapter pages on the website.

Component Communications and Engagement – 20%

• Monitor Chapter listservs to identify trends, surface emerging issues, and share opportunities across Chapters and with staff.
• Strengthen the Chapter leader community through staff-supported forums that encourage collaboration and adherence to AILA standards.
• Maintain strong internal coordination with departments across the organization to ensure Chapters have the tools and information they need.

This position operates with moderate supervision and may provide day-to-day guidance to a coordinator-level staff member.

The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator and systems thinker who can balance detail-oriented project coordination with a strategic understanding of how local chapters drive member engagement.

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., 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…