Job Description
Job Description
Location: This position will be based in Manila, Philippines
Travel: Frequent (up to 50%) travel around Asia-Pacific, including conflict-affected and fragile states.
Position Type: Full-time- REMOTE
FLSA Status: Exempt
Post: Accompanied
About Spirit of America:
Spirit of America is a privately funded 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Our mission is to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. We do this by working alongside US troops and diplomats and providing private assistance to defend freedom, and strengthen America’s national security, and save and improve lives.
Spirit of America leverages an unprecedented partnership with the US military based on a groundbreaking agreement with the Department of Defense. Our agreement with the Department of Defense allows the military to collaborate with us, identify needs, receive and distribute our assistance, and provide us with logistical support. No other nonprofit has such an agreement. Thus, every dollar invested in Spirit of America builds on and leverages investments made by the US government and military. That leverage — combined with our entrepreneurial, venture capital capability — provides philanthropic investments in Spirit of America with asymmetric impact and return on investment.
Our work saves and improves lives, prevents conflict, and strengthens America’s security. In the world’s toughest places, people experience the best of who Americans are and what we stand for.
About the Role:
Spirit of America seeks an experienced, strategic leader to serve as our new Regional Director (RD) to lead our initiatives in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region in close cooperation and coordination with US military, diplomatic personnel, partner militaries, and civil society organizations. The Regional Director’s mission is to guide Spirit of America’s international operations throughout APAC, utilizing private philanthropic funds to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. The RD will lead the design of a regional strategy to support US national security interests throughout the region and will supervise a small team of Program Managers in the design and implementation of lines of effort to support the strategy.
A Spirit of America Regional Director must have boots-on-the-ground experience in conflict-affected environments as well as recent experience working on US stability and security operations. Prior US military service will be particularly well regarded. Candidates with overseas experience with the US Department of State, USAID, and other US government civilian agencies as well as returned Peace Corps volunteers, are also encouraged to apply. Optimism, patience, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a great sense of humor in the face of adversity are also essential. Proficiency in an Asian language as well as complete fluency in English is required.
Reports To: Vice President, Program Operations
Direct Reports: Up to four Program Managers
Key Responsibilities
The Regional Director will:
- Cultivate influential relationships and strengthen current relationships throughout the region.
- Lead the development of a regional strategy to support US national security interests in the APAC.
- Develop projects and initiatives in where Spirit of America's assistance can make a rapid and important impact on mission success and complement or fill gaps in US government and military programs.
- Identify, develop, and manage regional stakeholder relationships with US military command elements, US Embassies, other USG partners, and other key interlocutors.
- Coach, develop and mentor program managers through the full project lifecycle.
- Oversee the development, execution, and closeout of projects supported with Spirit of America fund to a high standard of accountability and performance, including quality of deliverables, finance and compliance.
- Collaboratively evaluate and document the results and lessons learned from projects supported by Spirit of America in the assigned region and across the regional team. Use evaluations to inform follow-on programming and new initiatives.
- Maintain and deliver timely financial reporting, forecasting, and budgeting.
- Collaborate with the strategic initiatives team related to larger projects which touch the region.
- Partner with Spirit of America's Development and Marketing teams, creating appropriate content to engage donors and partners through media while reviewing and proving input into the content developed by the broader regional team.
- Coordinate and represent Spirit of America and projects with all levels of US military and civilian personnel to include general officers, ambassadors, and major organizational donors.
- Closely monitor regional security and safety and coordinate with the Program Operations team to ensure sound risk management and a high standard of personnel, physical, operational and cyber security.
What Success Looks Like in This Role:
Within the first 12–18 months, success for the Regional Director, Asia-Pacific will be defined by measurable impact, trusted relationships, and strong leadership. Specifically, a successful Regional Director will have:
- Built Trusted Partnerships: Established Spirit of America as a valued, credible partner to US military and diplomatic leaders across the region, with ongoing collaboration and access at senior levels.
- Delivered Tangible Impact: Designed and executed high-impact projects that directly advanced US national security objectives and improved conditions for local communities, with visible results documented and communicated to stakeholders.
- Implemented a Regional Strategy: Developed and begun implementing a clear Asia-Pacific regional strategy aligned with Spirit of America’s mission, identifying priority countries, thematic focus areas, and lines of effort.
- Led and Developed a Strong Team: Recruited, mentored, and empowered a high-performing team of Program Managers who demonstrate initiative, accountability, and excellence in program execution.
- Ensured Operational Excellence: Managed regional operations with sound financial stewardship, compliance, and risk management, ensuring projects meet Spirit of America’s standards of agility, transparency, and accountability.
- Strengthened Spirit of America’s Visibility and Reputation: Worked with Communications and Development teams to highlight success stories from the field, engage donors, and enhance awareness of Spirit of America’s mission and impact in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Modeled Mission-First Leadership: Demonstrated Spirit of America’s values of service, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, fostering a culture of initiative, adaptability, and respect across the regional and headquarters teams.
Key Qualifications:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- At least twelve years' professional experience in international development, diplomacy, or defense contexts, of which at least three years should be on the ground in fragile or conflict-affected states in a leadership role.
- Proven ability to engage directly with local populations and partner with host nation militaries, governments, and nongovernmental organizations to solve problems.
- Prior experience and success in representational roles, public speaking, and briefing of senior officials and/or industry/private sector senior leaders.
- At least three years' direct counterinsurgency, stability operations, humanitarian/disaster relief, and/or non-lethal effects experience at the field level.
- Sound knowledge of the culture, history, politics, and security dynamics of the Asia-Pacific based on work or study.
- A solid understanding of America’s three Ds of foreign affairs defense, diplomacy, and development - and of USG interagency entities, roles, and processes.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills.
- Complete fluency in English and proficiency in an Asian language, such as Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or a Southeast Asian language. Mandarin is especially valued.
Preferred:
- Master's degree.
- Substantive experience working in a US Embassy, in close collaboration with a US Country Team, in a Department of State/USAID regional bureau, or on a deployed Defense Cooperation or Civil Affairs mission.
- Previous experience working with INDOPACOM.
- Prior program/project management experience, including monitoring and managing budget, schedule, and ensuring quality deliverables.
- A willingness to work outside regular hours to accommodate meetings in different time zones, and willingness to travel frequently within the region.
Compensation Range:
Salary ranges from $145,000 to $170,000 based on experience. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, and 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 identity, age, veteran status, disability, or other protected characteristics in accordance with applicable laws.