[Hiring] Country Manager @Spirit of America

Role Description

Spirit of America is seeking a Country Manager to lead and grow our work in the Philippines—one of the most strategically important environments for advancing our mission alongside U.S. partners. This is a high-impact, forward-deployed role for a seasoned operator who can navigate complex environments, build trusted relationships at senior levels, and translate strategic opportunities into executable programs that deliver real-world impact.

Based in Manila, this individual will serve as Spirit of America’s in-country lead—working closely with U.S. military and diplomatic partners, Philippine government and military counterparts, and local civil society actors to identify needs, shape initiatives, and deliver support that advances shared objectives. This role will also contribute to regional efforts across the Indo-Pacific, as appropriate.

What You’ll Do

• Program Development & Execution:
  • Identify, shape, and execute high-impact programs aligned with SOA’s mission and strategic priorities
  • Translate partner-identified needs into actionable, fundable initiatives
  • Oversee end-to-end program delivery, ensuring speed, quality, and accountability
  • Track outcomes and ensure clear articulation of impact
• Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Build and maintain trusted relationships with Philippine government and military leaders
  • U.S. military and embassy personnel
  • Local partners, NGOs, and civil society actors
  • Operate comfortably at senior levels, representing SOA with credibility and professionalism
  • Serve as a connector across stakeholders to unlock opportunities and remove barriers
• Strategic Opportunity Development:
  • Identify emerging opportunities aligned with Spirit of America’s Indo-Pacific priorities
  • Assess feasibility, risk, scalability, and funding pathways
  • Collaborate with Regional Directors and Program Operations leadership on new initiatives
  • Contribute to shaping Spirit of America’s regional strategy and posture
• Donor & External Engagement:
  • Support donor engagement efforts, including hosting and supporting donor visits
  • Providing program insights and storytelling
  • Contributing to proposal development and funding strategies
  • Help translate field activity into compelling narratives that reinforce Spirit of America’s value
• Operational & Security Coordination:
  • Coordinate closely with Spirit of America leadership on duty of care and security considerations
  • Track staff and partner movement as needed and contribute to in-country security awareness
  • Ensure programs are executed in alignment with Spirit of America policies and risk posture

Who You Are

You are a mission-driven operator with the judgment, credibility, and agility to succeed in complex, high-stakes environments. You bring both strategic perspective and executional discipline—able to see the opportunity, shape it, and deliver results on the ground.

Required Experience & Capabilities

• Significant professional experience (typically 7–12+ years for Program Manager; 10–15+ for Senior Program Manager) in:
  • International programs, national security, development, or related fields
  • Demonstrated experience working with Philippine government and/or military stakeholders
  • U.S. government (DoD, State, or related)
  • Proven ability to operate effectively at senior levels of government, business, and civil society
  • Strong program management experience, including planning, execution, and oversight
  • Experience working in or with the Indo-Pacific region, ideally the Philippines

Core Competencies

• Mission-First Leadership – Anchors decisions in impact and purpose
• Entrepreneurial Mindset – Identifies and pursues opportunities with initiative and creativity
• Judgment & Decision-Making – Navigates ambiguity with sound, timely decisions
• Relationship Building – Develops trust across diverse, senior stakeholders
• Execution & Accountability – Delivers results with rigor and follow-through
• Communication – Clear, concise, and effective across audiences

What Success Looks Like (First 12–18 Months)

• Established as a trusted, credible partner with U.S. and Philippine stakeholders
• Built a strong pipeline of high-impact, fundable programs
• Successfully executed multiple initiatives demonstrating clear, measurable impact
• Strengthened Spirit of America’s presence and reputation in the Philippines
• Contributed meaningfully to regional Indo-Pacific strategy and operations
• Enabled compelling donor engagement tied directly to field impact

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) contribution match to 4%

Equal Employment Opportunity

Spirit of America is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender.