Country Director, US

About ChildFund
ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that works in 23 countries to connect children with the people, resources and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe, no matter where they are.

ChildFund’s Values
We aspire for every person in our organization—program participants, supporters, staff, and volunteers alike—to feel free, safe, and confident to be themselves. In our culture of connection, you will have ample opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while contributing your talents and innovations to our inspiring mission.

ChildFund’s Commitment
ChildFund International has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and all other forms of harm by its staff, partners, and other representatives in the delivery of its mission and services for children. ChildFund is committed to creating a safe environment in the workplace as well as in the communities where it delivers programs and services. ChildFund expects every staff member, partner, and representative to adhere to this commitment and to ensure all organizational policies and standards are followed. This position is subject to a range of vetting checks, including a criminal records check and/or disclosure to ensure program participants are safeguarded.

About This Role
This is a full-time, open-ended position based in McAllen, Texas requiring on-site work and frequent domestic travel. Candidates with current residence in the state of Texas with the ability to commute regularly to McAllen, Texas will be considered. Relocation support is available. The anticipated salary range for this position is $100,000-$125,000 per year.

The Country Director, US is responsible for strategic leadership and oversight of ChildFund’s operations in Texas, with a growth vision for broader national impact. The Director will drive strategy, oversee operational execution, ensure financial stewardship, and lead program excellence. The Country Director also champions new business development, high-impact partnerships, and policy influence while exploring potential expansion across the United States. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in U.S. child development systems, particularly with marginalized communities, and have a strong track record in securing grants, growing strategic partnerships, and navigating complex external environments.

The position requires an inspiring leader who can promote ChildFund’s values and mission and inspire excellence on their team while guiding the next phase of U.S. program expansion and innovation.

Required Experience and Education

• At least 10 years of experience in management or senior management positions in the US nonprofit, social impact, or child development sectors.
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree or equivalent experience in related field of community development/social science is a plus.
• Proven track record of effective management of complex programs.
• Experience with grant compliance, particularly with US government grants.
• Experience in child-focused programming in the US.
• Demonstrated success in business development, including securing institutional funding from foundations, government agencies, and corporate partners; and with fundraising from high net worth individuals.
• Experience with child sponsorship programs is a strong advantage.

Primary Responsibilities Program Management and Sponsorship Execution

• Provides strategic oversight and delivery of US programs (USP), aligning initiatives with ChildFund’s global strategies.
• Oversees implementation of the AmeriCorps social-emotional learning program in Texas, including compliance, impact measurement, and member engagement.
• Leads high-quality execution of the US sponsorship program, ensuring strong connections between children and sponsors and alignment with programmatic goals.
• Ensures the overall enterprise risks of USP (US Programs) operations are reviewed, addressed, and managed proficiently.
• Promotes trauma-informed, culturally relevant, and youth-led approaches to child development.

External Representation, Partnerships, Visibility and Profile

• Represents ChildFund with US-based donors, policymakers, school administrators, media, peer organizations, and coalitions.
• Expands visibility and thought leadership in the US child development and protection ecosystem.
• Builds and maintains strategic partnerships that advance impact and sustainability.

Team Leadership

• Leads recruitment, development, and performance management for USP team.
• Supervises, guides, and mentors staff to achieve performance metrics and core outcomes and oversees the establishment and functioning of a strong, effective senior leadership team and a culture of excellence and learning among AmeriCorps service members.
• Supports talent management process of the USP team and into future expansion.

Grant Acquisition and Fundraising

• Leads business development for USP in collaboration with the Business Development and Corporate Partnerships teams.
• Applies knowledge of US-based philanthropy and fundraising by enhancing appropriate relationships with the donor community, government, and corporate leaders; cultivates and stewards donor relationships to grow revenue and expand program reach.
• Actively pursues business development and local fundraising for the COs through grants, corporations, and individual donors by pre-positioning, advocating, networking, etc. among key influencers important to children’s rights.

Policy and Advocacy Leadership

• Collaborates with the Policy Director and advocacy department to articulate key issues and expand policy advocacy agenda for children in the US.
• Leads the development and implementation of USP learning and knowledge products for external positioning by documenting approaches, project and program designs and lessons, and case studies.
• Effectively articulates USP value proposition for increased awareness, new business positions, and influence. Technology, Innovation, and Evidence
• Drives adoption of technology and innovation to improve program design, delivery, data systems, and user engagement.
• Fosters a culture of data-informed decision-making, with robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning systems to track outcomes and learn.
• Advances digital tools and practices that enhance child protection, sponsorship, fundraising, and staff productivity.

Learning and Influence

• Oversees the development of learning products, case studies, and knowledge resources that demonstrate USP impact and scale.
• Supports strategic communications and donor engagement through evidence and storytelling.
• Positions US programs as a leader in community-based, scalable models of care and support.
• Leverages global learning to inform USP delivery and innovation.

Collaboration across ChildFund International

• Promotes cross-functional collaborations with internal teams, including Finance, Sponsorship, Business Development, Programs, Policy, Human Resources, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, and Communications.
• Establishes clear expectations and accountability mechanisms for integrated planning and support.

Finance and Risk Management

• Ensures optimal financial, human, and physical resource allocation and management and quality standards for successful implementation of USP and the organization's strategic plan, with support from Talent Technology and Finance staff.
• Ensures US operations compliance with internal control policies related to the financial and administrative components, according to organizational procedures and donor’s requirements.
• Leads risk identification and mitigation for USP.

Safety & Security

• Ensures that an effective disaster emergency response and preparedness plan is in place and updated regularly.
• Responsible for implementing standards, policies, and procedures to protect personnel, programs, and property. Leads a culture of safety and security risk management at the country office. Monitors security trends for appropriate action. Allocates adequate budget for safe program implementation and cost recovery. Upholds duty of care, implementing measures to promote physical and mental health. Works closely with the global security team to achieve standards and a coordinated response to incidents.
• Works closely with the Sr. Director, Global Safety & Security and VP, External Affairs and Partnerships to assure an immediate and adequate response to safety and security issues.

Safeguarding

• Remains alert and responsive to any safeguarding risks; acquires relevant knowledge and skills to support understanding the safeguarding policy and procedures; promotes strong safeguarding practices; performs duty and responsibility to safeguard, reports violations, and promotes appropriate behavior; and conducts self in a manner consistent with the organization’s policies and values.
• Takes all appropriate corrective actions, including disciplinary, legal, or other actions in response to any violation of the Safeguarding Policy, follows up on any findings of a violation, and reviews the applicable policies, procedures, and protocols to identify and address any gaps or weaknesses.

Required Competencies
ChildFund’s Core Competencies

• Teamwork: the ability to work effectively and collaborate with others; values and respects individual differences.
• Communication: demonstrates empathy and tact when communicating with others and uses a storytelling approach when appropriate.
• Results orientation: gets things done; takes proactive steps to achieve organizational goals and quality standards.
• Decision making: uses good judgement, critical thinking, and non-traditional ways to evaluate problems and opportunities; reflects and innovates to improve decisions and outcomes.
• Resilience: thrives and grows in rapidly changing, demanding, and complex environments.
• Digital literacy: adopts and champions new technology to relevant contexts, stays aware of technological trends and embraces technological solutions to business challenges.

Other Required Competencies

• Fluency in English required; fluency or professional proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred.
• Deep knowledge of children’s well-being systems and children’s rights frameworks in the US.
• Knowledge of issues facing marginalized and migrant communities in the US.
• Familiarity with the US philanthropic and fundraising landscape.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to develop and nurture strategic partnerships that drive impact and influence.
• Strong strategic leadership, with the ability to pragmatically solve problems, plan a course of action using analysis, and effectively allocate resources.
• Effective change management skills, with the ability to proactively lead and champion innovation and organizational change.
• Demonstrated excellent inclusive leadership skills, including fostering teamwork, developing and motivating teams, change management, and conflict resolution.
• Entrepreneurial, innovative mindset.
• Commitment to youth-led engagement in program design and advocacy efforts.