Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Operations & Finance
at National Immigration Project
🏢 About National Immigration Project
The National Immigration Project is a mission-driven organization with over 50 years of impact, combining legal advocacy, community organizing, and movement building to protect immigrant rights. Working here means joining a dedicated team that values dignity and justice, with a remote-first culture that fosters collaboration across the country.
About This Role
This role is the backbone of the organization, ensuring financial stability and operational efficiency so the team can focus on advocacy. You'll lead budgeting, cash flow, and compliance while managing HR and supervising key staff, directly enabling the organization's mission to thrive.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing cash flow projections and approving invoices in bill.com, followed by a virtual check-in with the Operations Manager on IT issues. Afternoon could involve preparing a budget variance report for the CFO, then collaborating with the Membership & Events Associate on an upcoming virtual event logistics.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who National Immigration Project Is Looking For
- A seasoned nonprofit finance leader with 6+ years of experience, ideally with a Master's in Finance or Business Administration.
- Hands-on expertise with QuickBooks Online, bill.com, and Neon CRM, plus a track record of managing audits and compliance.
- A collaborative manager who can supervise an Operations Manager and Membership & Events Associate, fostering a supportive remote team culture.
- Passionate about immigrant rights and social justice, with the ability to align financial strategy with the organization's values.
📝 Tips for Applying to National Immigration Project
Tailor your resume to highlight nonprofit financial management and operations experience, using specific metrics (e.g., budget size, audit outcomes).
In your cover letter, explicitly mention your proficiency with QuickBooks Online, bill.com, and Neon CRM, and give examples of how you've used them.
Research the National Immigration Project's recent campaigns or legal victories (e.g., litigation on detention) and reference how your work supports such efforts.
Demonstrate remote management experience: describe how you've supervised staff virtually and maintained team cohesion.
Address any gaps in your resume by framing them as growth opportunities relevant to this role, such as transitioning from finance to operations.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your commitment to immigrant rights and alignment with the organization's mission of dignity and justice.", 'Specific examples of leading financial planning and budgeting in a nonprofit, including cash flow management and audit preparation.', 'Experience implementing or improving operations systems (IT, virtual office, compliance) in a remote setting.', "Your management style and how you've successfully supervised teams, especially in a remote or hybrid environment."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review the National Immigration Project's website, especially their 'About Us' and 'Impact' pages, to understand their current campaigns and priorities.
- → Read their latest annual report or financial statements to grasp their funding sources and budget scale.
- → Follow their social media channels (Twitter/X, LinkedIn) to see recent advocacy wins and public statements.
- → Look into their membership structure and events (e.g., annual conference) to understand the operational needs of a membership organization.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid a generic cover letter: failing to mention the organization's mission or specific tools like Neon CRM can signal lack of interest.
- Don't underestimate remote work challenges: not addressing how you'll manage virtual teams or IT systems may raise concerns.
- Steer clear of focusing solely on finance without discussing operations or HR, as the role requires a blend of both.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to National Immigration Project!