How to apply for Operations Coordinator

About National Association of Women Lawyers

The National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) has been a pioneering force since 1899, dedicated to advancing women in the legal profession and advocating for gender equality under the law. As a fully remote team, NAWL offers a flexible, mission-driven work environment where you can contribute to meaningful change while collaborating with a diverse membership of legal professionals. Working here means being part of a historic organization that values mutual support, collective success, and the empowerment of women in law.

About the role

As the Operations Coordinator, you will be the backbone of NAWL's day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth functioning across the organization. You'll provide comprehensive support to staff, the Board, and members, managing projects, communications, and administrative tasks that directly enable NAWL's mission. This role is impactful because your organizational skills and proactive attitude will directly facilitate the programs and initiatives that advance women in the legal profession.

A typical day

A typical day might involve coordinating a Board committee meeting, responding to member inquiries via email, updating project trackers, and collaborating with staff on upcoming events or initiatives. You'll balance administrative tasks with proactive problem-solving, ensuring that NAWL's operations run smoothly and that all interactions reflect the organization's professional and supportive culture.

Who National Association of Women Lawyers is looking for

• Highly organized multi-tasker with exceptional communication skills and a customer-service mindset, able to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a remote environment.
• Proactive self-starter who takes ownership of responsibilities and ensures work is completed accurately and thoroughly, with a positive attitude.
• Passionate about NAWL's mission and eager to support a small, dynamic team, the Board, and a diverse membership of legal professionals.
• Experienced in administrative or operations roles, comfortable with technology and remote collaboration tools, and able to handle confidential information with discretion.

Tips for this application

• Highlight any experience supporting executive-level staff or boards, as this role directly supports NAWL staff and the Board.
• Demonstrate your ability to work remotely by mentioning specific tools you've used (e.g., Zoom, Asana, Slack) and how you stay organized and communicative in a virtual environment.
• Show your passion for NAWL's mission by referencing specific NAWL initiatives or programs in your cover letter, such as the NAWL Annual Survey or Leadership Institute.
• Provide concrete examples of your customer service skills, especially in handling member inquiries or coordinating events, as NAWL emphasizes positive interactions with members.
• Use your resume to quantify your multitasking abilities—e.g., 'managed 5+ projects simultaneously' or 'coordinated 20+ events per year'—to stand out as a highly organized candidate.

What to cover in your cover letter

Your cover letter should emphasize: (1) your alignment with NAWL's mission and a genuine desire to advance women in law; (2) your proven ability to multitask and manage projects in a remote setting, with specific examples; (3) your exceptional communication and customer service skills, particularly with high-level stakeholders like boards or executives; and (4) your proactive, ownership-driven approach to work, showing how you've identified and solved problems in previous roles.

Research before applying

• Explore NAWL's website (www.nawl.org) to understand their key programs, events, and advocacy efforts, such as the Annual Survey, Leadership Institute, and Amicus Briefs.
• Research the history of NAWL, especially its founding in 1899 and its role in advancing women in law, to demonstrate your genuine interest.
• Look up recent NAWL news or press releases to stay current on their initiatives and challenges, which can inform your interview questions.
• Investigate the backgrounds of NAWL's leadership and Board members to understand the organization's structure and key players.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How do you prioritize tasks when supporting multiple stakeholders (staff, Board, members) with competing deadlines?
• Describe a time you improved an operational process or solved a problem proactively. What was the outcome?
• What experience do you have working with a board of directors or executive leadership? How did you handle confidential information?
• How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration in a fully remote team?
• Why are you passionate about NAWL's mission, and how do you see this role contributing to it?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention NAWL's mission or specific programs—this shows a lack of genuine interest.
• Failing to demonstrate remote work readiness or experience, as NAWL is a fully remote organization and requires self-discipline.
• Overlooking the customer service aspect of the role—candidates who focus only on administrative tasks may miss the importance of member and stakeholder interactions.