Spirit of America Is Hiring a Country Manager in Ukraine With a Salary of Up to $145,000
Kyiv, Ukraine — Spirit of America is recruiting a new Country Manager for Ukraine, offering an annual salary of between $125,000 and $145,000 for an experienced professional capable of leading the organization’s activities in one of Europe’s most complex operating environments.
The full-time position is based in Kyiv and involves travel across Ukraine and, when necessary, to other countries in the region. The successful candidate will act as the organization’s principal representative in Ukraine and will coordinate closely with American and Ukrainian government, military and civil society partners.
Spirit of America is a privately funded U.S. nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. The organization says its mission is to support freedom, strengthen U.S. national security and improve lives by working alongside American military and diplomatic personnel.
A senior leadership position in Kyiv
The Country Manager will be responsible for developing and overseeing programs designed to address needs identified by partners on the ground. The position combines strategic planning with practical program execution, requiring someone capable of moving projects from an initial idea to implementation.
Among the central responsibilities will be identifying opportunities for new initiatives, evaluating their feasibility and risks, securing appropriate funding pathways and supervising delivery.
The person appointed will also be expected to measure program results and communicate the impact of projects to organizational leadership, partners and donors.
Working with U.S. and Ukrainian partners
A major component of the role will involve relationship building.
The Country Manager will interact with Ukrainian government and military representatives, U.S. military and embassy personnel, nongovernmental organizations and civil society groups. The position therefore requires significant experience working with senior stakeholders and the ability to establish trusted professional relationships in a complicated environment.
The successful candidate will also serve as a link between different organizations and institutions, helping identify opportunities for cooperation and resolving obstacles that could prevent programs from moving forward.
Experience in Ukraine and U.S. government cooperation required
Spirit of America is looking for a highly experienced professional, with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as international programs, national security, development or related fields.
Candidates are expected to have previous experience working with Ukrainian government or military institutions as well as experience with the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense, Department of State or related agencies.
Experience in Ukraine, cooperation with NATO or work alongside the U.S. military is considered particularly valuable.
The organization is also seeking someone with strong program-management skills and the ability to work effectively with representatives of government, the military, business and civil society.
U.S. citizenship is mandatory
One of the key eligibility requirements is U.S. citizenship.
According to the vacancy announcement, candidates must be eligible to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance. Applicants must also be prepared to live in Kyiv and travel within Ukraine and elsewhere in the region when required.
English-language proficiency is required.
The position is classified as full-time and exempt, and is listed as an unaccompanied post.
Security and operational responsibilities
Given the operating environment, security coordination represents another important element of the job.
The Country Manager will work with Spirit of America leadership on staff safety, security awareness and duty-of-care issues. The position may also involve tracking staff and partner movements and ensuring that activities comply with the organization’s policies and risk-management framework.
This means the successful applicant will need not only leadership and diplomatic skills, but also sound judgment when making decisions in uncertain or rapidly changing circumstances.
Donor relations are part of the job
The role also has an external-facing component.
The Country Manager will participate in donor engagement, including supporting visits, explaining projects and providing insights into activities taking place in Ukraine. The position will contribute to proposals and funding strategies and help communicate the organization’s results through credible stories from the field.
Spirit of America is seeking someone who can connect operational achievements with broader strategic objectives and clearly explain why particular initiatives matter.
What Spirit of America expects during the first 12–18 months
The organization has outlined several objectives for the person taking the position.
During the first year to year and a half, the Country Manager is expected to establish strong working relationships with U.S. and Ukrainian stakeholders, develop a pipeline of projects capable of attracting funding and successfully implement initiatives with measurable results.
Another priority will be strengthening Spirit of America’s presence and reputation in Ukraine while contributing to the organization’s broader strategy for the country and the surrounding region.
Successful donor engagement connected directly to activities on the ground will also be an important measure of performance.
Competitive salary and benefits
The advertised salary is $125,000 to $145,000 per year, depending on the candidate’s experience.
The benefits package includes medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as a 403(b) contribution match of up to 4%.
Spirit of America says it is an equal opportunity employer and that employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and organizational needs in accordance with applicable laws.
How to apply
The vacancy is identified by Requisition ID 1078 and is currently advertised for candidates interested in taking on a senior international leadership position in Kyiv.
For professionals with extensive experience in Ukraine, U.S. government cooperation, international development or national security, the position represents an opportunity to take responsibility for programs operating directly in the field and to work at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, security and international partnership.
Position: Country Manager – Ukraine
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Employment: Full-time
Salary: $125,000–$145,000 annually
Travel: Within Ukraine and regionally, as required
Minimum experience: 10 years
Citizenship requirement: U.S. citizenship
Application reference: Requisition ID 1078