Xavier Lara

• Managed and led American Spaces operations in the Philippines; from strategic planning and programs, funding/budget, resources, standards, personnel management, training, evaluation, communications, and partnerships.
• Built and maintained partnerships with the government and other organizations, groups, and communities in the private and public sectors.
• Supervised all programs, resources management, physical space standards upkeep, and overall direction and operations of the American Center Manila inside the U.S. Embassy and 15 American Corners (AC) across the country.
• Supervised the American Center Director, American Spaces Program Coordinator, Program Assistant, plus 30 American Corner Directors and Coordinators/Librarians. This includes, but not limited to;
• Strategic planning, directing, monitoring, and evaluation of programs and services at the American Center and all American Corners.
• Guidance, direction, performance review, and training plan of U.S. Embassy staff at the American Center.
• Guidance, direction, performance evaluation of all ACs, makes decisions and recommendations on training needs, partnership agreements and approaches to handling problematic spaces and designated staff.
• Produce, review and approve all digital and printed reports, press releases, articles, media engagements, and social media products/materials.
• Building and maintaining external partnerships with the government, organizations, communities, and leaders in the private and public sector for programs.
• Request, manage, and monitor the entire annual American Spaces Philippines budget. Reports fiscal year obligations and spending to the Office of American Spaces in Washington.
• Report, coordinates, and makes critical decisions in consultation with the Deputy Public Engagement Attache, Regional Public Engagement Specialist, and other high level U.S. Embassy officials as necessary.
• Leads ad hoc teams and committees for high level visitors from the White House and Department of State.
• With 130 out of 100 points as performance evaluation, which is above and beyond the expected effective performance, consistently adding value in terms of quality and level of output.
• Planned and executed meetings to connect organizational representatives, community members and clients.

• Manages all aspects of American Spaces operations in the Philippines; strategic planning and programs, budget, resources, standards, personnel management, training, evaluation, communications, and partnerships. This includes the American Center Manila (formerly Thomas Jefferson Information Center), and 14 American Corners.
• Supervises the American Center Deputy Director, American Center Program Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Clerk, and 28 American Corner Directors and Coordinators/Librarians.
• Kept facilities in compliance with all applicable standards and policies.
• Certified Grants Officer Representative (GOR)

**Important Note: After the Department of State's global Public Diplomacy Staffing Initiative (PDSI), my title was changed to American Spaces Program Specialist to better articulate the actual scope of my work in my job description. In my role as American Center Director, I served in the same capacity and with the same responsibilities as American Spaces Program Specialist. The PDSI better defined and clarified the large scope of my role and responsibilities. During this time, we also expanded the network of American Corners from 14 to 15 ACs, adding more staff under my supervision. If needed, you may verify this through my former supervisor/s and Human Resources.

• Managed the Office of Student LIFE operations, strategic planning and programs, budget, personnel management, training and evaluation, and partnerships.
• Developed leadership formation programs for student leaders, volunteers, student organizations, faculty, and administrators.
• Held leadership roles in various projects and ad hoc committees.
• Provided support, structure and guidance to drive organizational planning efforts.
• Prepared and edited documents to produce precise, accurate and professional communication.
• Facilitated coordination across entities to provide actionable information and knowledge.
• Furnished appropriate levels of detail to enable rapid understanding and decision-making.
• Evaluated project performance against goals and took action to address deviations.
• Offered strategic advice and consultation to develop, implement and evaluate modifications and enhancements to operations, systems and procedures.
• Synchronized and integrated operational planning efforts across staff sections to develop and test transition and turnover plans.
• Designed, established and maintained organizational structure and staffing to accomplish goals and objectives.

• Developed leadership formation programs for the general student body, student leaders, volunteers, student organizations, faculty, and administrators.
• Core member of the Lasallian Formation and Action Team in the development of university-wide formation guiding principles.
• Held leadership roles in various projects and ad hoc committees.
• Provided organization development interventions for over 40 student organizations and volunteer groups.
• Worked closely with student political parties, elected Student Government officers, and the Council of Student Organizations for programs, student activities, and representation in university councils.
• Demonstrated knowledge of university mission and goals and mentored student leaders in reaching objectives aligned with institutional core values.
• Supervised the design, inventory and ordering of training supplies/materials to maintain availability of programs.
• Worked with other departments, colleagues, and student leaders to design programs and training materials.
• Studied processes, implemented cost efficient strategies, developed reporting procedures to maintain administrative workflow, and worked closely with the Office of Student LIFE Director in producing programs and budget reports for the Dean of Student Affairs.

• Developed and conducted various training and skills development programs for different levels of the Marketing and Sales force, and Managers of the company.
• Organized large-sc ale and country-wide events and executive conferences.
• Team supervisor for Promotions, Events, and Advertising.
• Held leadership roles in various projects and ad hoc committees.
• Evaluated success of training programs and recommended improvements to upper management to enhance effectiveness. Performed continuous evaluations of content and created plans to enhance delivery and improve effectiveness of training programs.
• Adjusted instructional strategies according to training needs and understanding of material.
• Implemented diverse instructional methods, optimizing trainee engagement.
• Acted as training subject matter expert and provided extensive technical support to different departments and branch Area Managers. Educated clients on company products and services.
• Mentored new hires, resulting in stronger staff development and increased productivity. Developed individualized training plans to achieve staff readiness.
• Developed effective training plans based on department needs and objectives.
• Implemented new training courses and events.