Application Guide

How to Apply for Lead Manager, IT Security Engineer

at Makeawishamerica

🏢 About Makeawishamerica

Make-A-Wish America is a renowned nonprofit that grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Working here means combining technical expertise with a mission-driven culture, where your work directly supports creating hope and joy for families. The remote-first environment offers flexibility while contributing to a deeply meaningful cause.

About This Role

As Lead Manager, IT Security Engineer, you will design and manage security solutions across IAM, endpoint, network, and application security, ensuring the protection of sensitive donor and wish family data. Your work will be critical in maintaining trust and enabling the organization's technology initiatives to run securely and efficiently.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a security assessment review, then a standup with IT to discuss ongoing projects. You could spend time configuring Azure SSO or responding to a phishing alert, followed by a meeting with program staff to explain a new security policy. The afternoon might involve documenting procedures or researching a new endpoint solution, all while collaborating remotely with a supportive team.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Makeawishamerica Is Looking For

  • A hands-on security engineer with 5+ years of experience, including 2+ years designing and supporting enterprise security solutions like firewalls, IAM, and endpoint protection.
  • Proficient in Azure, SSO, and Cisco firewalls, with a strong understanding of security frameworks and compliance in a nonprofit or similar environment.
  • A collaborative leader who can serve as a subject matter expert across the project lifecycle, translating technical risks to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Passionate about mission-driven work and comfortable in a lean IT team, where you'll wear multiple hats and drive security improvements proactively.

📝 Tips for Applying to Makeawishamerica

1

Highlight specific projects where you designed and deployed security solutions (e.g., IAM, email security) with measurable outcomes, such as reduced incidents or improved compliance.

2

Tailor your resume to emphasize experience with Azure, SSO, Cisco firewalls, and Defender Security, as these are explicitly preferred.

3

Mention any experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations, as it shows alignment with Make-A-Wish's culture.

4

Quantify your leadership experience, such as managing security initiatives or mentoring junior team members, even if not a direct management title.

5

In your cover letter, connect a specific security challenge you solved to how it could protect sensitive data like donor information or wish family records.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for using security to protect vulnerable populations (children and donors) and enable the organization's mission.", 'Specific examples of designing and implementing security solutions (e.g., IAM, firewalls) that align with the job description.', "Your experience with Azure, SSO, and Cisco firewalls, and how you've used them to improve security posture.", 'Your ability to collaborate across teams and serve as a security subject matter expert in a remote, fast-paced environment.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Understand Make-A-Wish's mission, values, and recent wish stories to show cultural alignment.
  • → Review their technology stack or public security posture (e.g., any mentions of Azure, Office 365) to tailor your examples.
  • → Look into nonprofit security challenges, such as limited budgets and the need to balance security with user experience.
  • → Check if Make-A-Wish has been in the news for any data breaches or security initiatives to demonstrate awareness.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design an IAM solution for a remote-first nonprofit with limited IT staff?
2 Describe a time you implemented a security policy that was initially resisted by stakeholders. How did you gain buy-in?
3 Explain your approach to conducting a security assessment for a cloud-based infrastructure (e.g., Azure).
4 How do you stay current with evolving threats, and how would you prioritize security improvements for a nonprofit budget?
5 Tell us about a complex security incident you resolved. What was your role and the outcome?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus solely on technical skills without connecting them to the mission—this role values purpose-driven work.
  • Avoid being too general about security experience; be specific about tools (Azure, Cisco, Defender) and outcomes.
  • Don't overlook the 'lead' aspect: show you can manage projects and mentor, even if not a direct people manager.

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Makeawishamerica!

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