Country Manager- Philippines
About The Position
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.
Requirements
- 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
- Demonstrated experience working with 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
- English proficiency required
Nice To Haves
- 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
Responsibilities
- 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
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with Philippine government and military leaders, U.S. military and embassy personnel, and 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
- 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
- Support donor engagement efforts, including hosting and supporting donor visits, providing program insights and storytelling, and contributing to proposal development and funding strategies
- Help translate field activity into compelling narratives that reinforce Spirit of America’s value
- 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
Benefits
- medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 403(b) contribution match to 4%
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
