Regional Director, Latin America & the Caribbean

Salary Range:
$145,000.00 to $170,000.00 Annually

Location:
Based in Miami, FL, due to its proximity to the U.S. SOUTHCOM headquarters

Work Arrangement:
Remote

Travel:
Frequent regional travel (often 40%–60%), including to fragile or conflict-affected environments

Position Type:
Full-time

FLSA Status:
Exempt

About Spirit of America:
Spirit of America is a privately funded 501(c)(3) 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 U.S. troops and diplomats and providing private assistance to defend freedom, strengthen America’s national security, and save and improve lives.

Spirit of America leverages an unprecedented partnership with the U.S. military based on a groundbreaking agreement with the Department of Defense. This agreement allows the military to collaborate with us, identify needs, receive and distribute our assistance, and provide logistical support. No other nonprofit has such an agreement. Every dollar invested in Spirit of America builds on and leverages investments made by the U.S. 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 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, is required. Demonstrated ability to read, write, and communicate professionally in Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole 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 funds 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

Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree

At least fifteen years of professional experience in international development, diplomacy, or defense contexts; at least three years on the ground in fragile or conflict-afflicted states in a leadership role

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

Proven ability to engage directly with local populations and partner with host nation militaries, governments, and NGOs to solve problems

Significant experience in direct counterinsurgency, stability operations, humanitarian/disaster relief, and/or nonlethal effects at the field level in current U.S. stability and security operations

Deep knowledge of the culture, history, politics, and security dynamics in Latin America and the Caribbean based on work or academic study

Solid understanding of America’s 3Ds 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 exceptional organizational skills

Candidates must be U.S. citizens, as this role requires eligibility for a U.S. government security clearance

Demonstrated ability to read, write, and communicate professionally in Spanish

Preferred:
Master’s degree

Portuguese and/or Haitian Creole language proficiency

Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in complex, fast-moving environments and manage competing priorities across multiple countries

Compensation:
Salary ranges from $145,000 to $170,000 based on experience. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, and a 403(b) contribution match up 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, or gender.

Learn more here