Career Opportunities

About ASIL The American Society of International Law (ASIL) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational membership organization founded in 1906 and chartered by Congress in 1950. ASIL holds Category II Consultative Status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and is a constituent society of the American Council of Learned Societies. The Society is headquartered at Tillar House in Washington, D.C. The mission of ASIL is to foster the study of international law and to promote the establishment and maintenance of international relations on the basis of law and justice.

The American Society of International Law is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. We value a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.


Current Openings at ASIL

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports to:  Executive Director

Location: 2223 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008

Summary: The Director of Finance and Administration leads all aspects of the Society's financial and human resources operations and oversees its general administrative operations, in partnership with the Executive Director.

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Responsibilities:

  • Develop and manage the Society's accounting policies and procedures and human resources policies;
  • Develop budgets for review and approval of the Executive Director and Executive Council and monitor and report on spending in accordance with budget;
  • Develop, prepare and deliver all financial and managerial reports, including detailed quarterly income statements (actual to budget), and analysis; balance sheet reports; grant reports; and reports of accounts payable and receivable;
  • Prepare cash flow projections and recommendations; manage cash according to investment objectives; and manage payroll service (Paychex) and related tax obligations and reporting;
  • Oversee and manage of all audit, tax, contracts, purchasing, long range forecasting, regulatory filings, trademark renewals and insurance activities;
  • Train, supervise, and evaluate support staff
  • Participate in the senior management team and contribute to the overall management of the organization;
  • Support fundraising initiatives by providing background information, preparing draft budgets and proposals, and conducting substantive research where required.
  • Serve as the Society's primary staff liaison to the Budget, Audit and Investment Committees;
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • BA/BS accounting degree or the equivalent certification;
  • Minimum of 7 years' relevant financial management experience with progressive responsibility;
  • Proficient in the use of accounting software and knowledge of membership database software;
  • Strong written and oral communication skills;
  • Track record in identifying and implementing measures to decrease costs and increase revenues;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including membership/client engagement;
  • Excellent organizational skills, including advanced planning capabilities, organizing staff assignments, and ensuring professional obligations are met in a timely fashion.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 10 years relevant finance, human resources, and administrative experience;
  • Experience with not-for-profit, association, learned society, and/or membership organizations;
  • MPA, CPA, JD, or equivalent graduate degree a plus.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The American Society of International Law is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. We value a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Visa Status:
The American Society of International Law welcomes applications from persons of any nationality. Non-US applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an on-going basis without sponsorship.

Compensation:
The target salary range for this position is $145,000 to $165,000, based on experience and qualifications. ASIL offers a generous benefits package and a stimulating, collegial work environment.

Remote Work:
Unless authorized to work remotely, the employee will be required to perform the duties of the position in person, subject to public health conditions. All Society employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless an accommodation is requested and provided.

How to apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and references as a single PDF document to jobs@asil.org. Please put "Director of Finance and Administration" in the subject line. References will be checked only with your written consent. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports to:  Executive Director

Location: 2223 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008

Summary: The Director of Programs is responsible for the oversight of the Society’s Programs Department, including major conferences, educational programming, substantive Interest Group activities, international organization engagement, and international law career training.

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Responsibilities:

  • Supervise Department of Programs staff, including the Program Officer, International Law Fellows, Programs Interns, and any relevant grant funded staff;
  • Coordinate educational programming with ASIL leadership, committees, members, and external partners to ensure compliance with the Society’s policies;
  • Oversee the planning and execution of the Society’s Annual Meeting and Midyear Meetings, with relevant staff and member volunteers, including hotel negotiations, 3rd party vendor coordination, contract review, substantive program development, member engagement, publicity and promotion, and budget management;
  • Oversee and conduct the Society’s international law mentoring and career development programs, including by providing career trainings and resources for law students and career development staff at ASIL Academic Partner schools, both virtual and in-person;
  • Oversee the Society’s Interest Groups, including governance, administrative, programmatic, and financial activities;
  • Coordinate the Society’s international organization engagement program, including overseeing the selection of members to participate at official meetings of the UN, UNCITRAL, WTO, OSCE, OECD, and other bodies with whom the Society has official observer status, and ensuring its official status remains current;
  • Support the Society’s Publications & Research Department with programs designed to elevate the content of the Society’s publications and research programs;
  • Represent the Society and engage in public speaking on behalf of the Society;
  • Maintain an active social media presence in support of the Society’s programs and in compliance with the Society’s social media guidelines;
  • Serve as administrator of the Society’s CLE programming, including filing annual reports with relevant jurisdictions to retain CLE accredited provider status;
  • Serve as primary staff liaison to leadership entities, as assigned, including the Membership, Program, Interest Group, and Strategic Initiatives committees and the Judicial Advisory Board;
  • Participate in the senior management team and contribute to the overall management of the organization; and
  • Support fundraising initiatives by providing background information, preparing draft budgets and proposals, and conducting substantive research where required.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • BA/BS and JD or equivalent graduate degree. Demonstrated experience in the field of international law;
  • Minimum of 7 years’ relevant experience in program development, management, and implementation, including event design and management;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills;
  • Ability to oversee international legal research and ensure production of written content under tight deadlines;
  • Excellent multi-tasking skills, including prioritization of competing obligations, responding to multiple audiences with overlapping demands; and the ability to work under pressure;
  • Experience leading a team of staff, volunteers, and interns/fellows to achieve professional objectives;
  • Experience in programmatic budget compliance, including identifying ways to decrease costs and increase revenue for programmatic activities;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including membership/client engagement, public speaking, and addressing sensitive legal and professional issues with passionate actors; and
  • Excellent organizational skills, including advanced planning capabilities, organizing staff assignments, and ensuring professional obligations are met in a timely fashion.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 10 years relevant experience in international law (public or private), including departmental-level supervisory and budget management experience;
  • Large conference design, implementation, and oversight experience, including budget development, financial oversight, and 3rd party vendor management;
  • Experience in international law teaching and administration;
  • Experience with learned societies and/or membership organizations, databases, procedures, and programs;
  • Oversight of CLE and/or judicial education programs;
  • Online event design, management, and implementation; and
  • Language skills and experience working in international, multicultural environment a plus.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The American Society of International Law is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. We value a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Visa Status:
The American Society of International Law welcomes applications from persons of any nationality. Non-US applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an on-going basis without sponsorship.

Compensation:
The target salary range for this position is $95,000 to $115,000, based on experience and qualifications. ASIL offers a generous benefits package and a stimulating, collegial work environment.

Remote Work:
Unless authorized to work remotely, the employee will be required to perform the duties of the position in person, subject to public health conditions. All Society employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless an accommodation is requested and provided.

How to apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample (no more than 10 pages) as a single PDF document to jobs@asil.org. Please put “Director of Programs” in the subject line. References will be checked only with your written consent. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The ASIL International Law Fellows program gives recent graduates the opportunity to gain professional experience working on the Society's research, education, and outreach programs. The positions are full-time and fellows work with their supervisor to identify areas of professional interest that can be developed while working at Tillar House. They also have the opportunity to select and attend various internationally themed events in the active D.C. international community. Applications are currently being accepted for the Gabrielle Kirk McDonald BASIL Fellowship, named for the distinguished jurist and former Honorary President of the Society. The Fellowships are open for six-month placements, beginning in April 2022, and fellows will be awarded a one-time $7,500 fellowship grant (subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes).

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Additional Career Opportunities through ASIL

Established in 2004, the Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Program recognizes the legacy of Arthur Helton, a prominent human rights advocate and ASIL member. Helton died in the August 19, 2003 bombing of the UN mission in Baghdad.

Funded by contributions from ASIL members, interest groups, and private foundations, Helton Fellowships provide financial assistance in the form of "micro-grants" for law students and young professionals to pursue field work and research on significant issues involving international law, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and related areas.

Helton Fellowship micro-grants are intended to ensure that these individuals have access to modest amounts of funding that can often stand between them and their first professional opportunities to become effective practitioners, experts, and scholars of international law. The fellowships are intended to help cover for travel, housing, living expenses, and other costs related to the Fellow's fieldwork and research.

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Start Your Career with an ASIL Internship. ASIL offers students opportunities to become involved with its work while learning first-hand about the field of international law. See descriptions below of the specific internship positions available with the Society and how to apply. All positions are based at ASIL's Washington, DC, headquarters and generally require a minimum commitment of 15 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and usually more during the summer. All internships are unpaid; however, interns may be eligible to earn academic credit through their school. During their internship, participants are encouraged both to attend ASIL events and to take advantage of the plethora of programs in international law and foreign relations that the DC area provides.

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Additional Career Resources

The longest running formal career development resource at ASIL, the Careers in International Law: A Guide to Career Paths in International Law is an invaluable publication for everyone from pre-law majors to current lawyers looking to move into the practice of international law. Available for over 15 years, the guide has always included personal insights into the practice of international law from global leaders in the field.

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The ASIL Job Board is a place where members of the international law community are invited to submit news of jobs and/or internships for which ASIL members might apply. Access to the jobs and internships listed on the Job Board is available to ASIL members and faculty and students at ASIL's Academic Partner schools. Questions about the Job Board should be directed to the ASIL Service Center at services@asil.org or +1-202-939-6001.

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