Country Manager, Philippines

Location: Manila, Philippines

Work Days in Office: Remote

Travel: Ability to travel within the Philippines and regionally, as needed

Position Type: Full-time

FLSA Status: Exempt

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.

The Opportunity:

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

Reports to: Vice President, Program Operations

Direct Reports: TBD

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:

• At least ten (10) years of professional experience 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
• Candidates must be US citizens, as this role requires eligibility for a US Government security clearance.

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
• English proficiency required

Why This Role Matters:

The Philippines represents a critical front for advancing stability, partnership, and shared security interests in the Indo-Pacific.

This role is an opportunity to help shape and deliver that impact, on the ground, in real time.

Compensation Range:

Salary ranges from $125,000.00 to $145,000.00 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