Regional Director, Latin America & the Caribbean

Position description

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.

Duties

Spirit of America seeks an experienced, strategic leader to serve as our new Regional Director to lead our initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean in close cooperation and coordination with U.S. military, development, and diplomatic personnel. The Regional Director’s mission is to direct Spirit of America’s international operations in the region, utilizing private philanthropic funds to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. The Regional Director will lead the design of a regional strategy to support U.S. national security interests in the region and will supervise a small team of Program Managers in the design and implementation of lines of effort to support the strategy.

This role is ideal for leaders with private-sector or entrepreneurial experience who thrive in building new ventures, moving quickly from concept to execution, and delivering results in complex environments. As Regional Director, Latin America & the Caribbean, you will apply your entrepreneurial acumen and regional expertise to create high-impact initiatives that advance U.S. national interests and strengthen communities across the region. If you’re looking to translate your skills into purpose-driven, real-world impact, this is that opportunity.

Spirit of America’s Regional Director must have boots-on-the-ground experience in fragile or conflict-affected environments and recent experience supporting U.S. stability and security operations, development, or diplomatic initiatives. Demonstrated experience supporting or coordinating closely with the U.S. military, particularly within the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility, either through prior military service or in a civilian capacity. Demonstrated ability to read, write, and communicate professionally in Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole proficiently is a plus. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, as this role requires eligibility for a U.S. Government security clearance.

Reports to: Vice President, Program Operations

Direct Reports: Up to four program managers of mixed levels of seniority

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 U.S. national security interests in Latin America and the Caribbean
• Develop projects and initiatives where Spirit of America’s assistance can make a rapid and important impact on mission success, as well as complement or fill gaps in U.S. government and military programs
• Identify, develop, and manage regional stakeholder relationships with U.S. military command elements, U.S. embassies, 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 human resources, finance, and compliance
• Serve as a regional and sub-regional expert for culture, politics, security, and U.S. policy
• Monitor, evaluate, and document the results of and lessons learned from projects supported by Spirit of America in the assigned region and across the regional team
• Maintain and deliver timely financial reporting, forecasting, and budgeting
• Partner with Spirit of America’s development and marketing team, creating appropriate content to engage donors and partners through media, while reviewing and providing input into the content developed by the broader regional team
• Communicate and closely coordinate activities and projects with all levels of U.S. military and civilian personnel, including general officers, ambassadors, and major organizational donors
• Closely monitor regional security and safety and coordinate with the Vice President, Program Operations, to ensure sound risk management and a high standard of personnel, physical, operational, and cyber security

Application instructions

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