Position Profile

Free Wheelchair Mission exists to transform lives through the gift of mobility to people living with disabilities in developing nations, as motivated by the love of Jesus Christ. Their work begins with a wheelchair, but it leads to so much more access to education, employment, community, and dignity.

The vision of Free Wheelchair Mission is a world where everyone who needs a wheelchair has one. With nearly 80 million people globally still lacking access to mobility, FWM is committed to bridging that gap through innovation, global partnership, and compassion.

Rooted in faith and guided by a spirit of humility and service, Free Wheelchair Mission values people over process, relationships over recognition, and impact over accolades. Their team works with excellence, integrity, and a deep sense of calling—believing that every life matters and that mobility is a gateway to hope.

Free Wheelchair Mission is an organization shaped by compassion, pursuit, and a clear sense of mission. From the headquarters in Irvine to global partners across more than 90 countries, the team is united by a calling to serve with excellence, humility, and purpose. The work is global and complex, but the heart behind it is simple. They operate to transform lives through the gift of mobility.

• Faith Lived Out: Faith is the foundation of Free Wheelchair Mission. The team is motivated and guided by values of service, generosity, and grace. Spiritual encouragement is integrated into the culture in ways that feel sincere, respectful, and unifying. Staff come from a range of Christian traditions but share a common desire to honor God through their work.
• Relational and Supportive: Relationships matter here. Whether working with international partners, training global teams, or collaborating across departments, the culture is grounded in trust, encouragement, and teamwork. Staff invest in one another and in the people they serve, creating a workplace that is both professional and deeply connected.
• Humble and Collaborative: Leaders at every level operate with humility and a servant mindset. Collaboration is central and decisions are made through thoughtful conversation, and credit is shared generously. There is a deep respect for the long standing members of the team and an openness to new ideas and growth.
• Mission Driven and Resilient: This is a team that works hard and stays focused. The mission is bold and ambitious, and team members are expected to show up with care, flexibility, and a willingness to build. Whether managing partner relationships, launching a new wheelchair, or navigating global logistics, the work requires both resolve and compassion.
• Stewardship and Impact Focus: Free Wheelchair Mission takes its responsibility seriously. Resources are used wisely, systems are built with intention, and every decision is evaluated through the lens of impact. The team seeks to honor both donors and recipients through excellence, transparency, and faith fueled purpose.

• Vision and Strategy: Lead the strategy for building and strengthening Free Wheelchair Mission’s global wheelchair distribution and medical gift-in-kind partnerships. Develop a thoughtful engagement framework that reflects FWM’s mission, values, and long-term goals. Set clear priorities and scalable systems to support international growth, while serving as a strategic partner to the CEO and senior leadership.
• Global Partnerships and Engagement: Manage a team responsible for identifying, cultivating, and supporting international wheelchair distribution partners and medical supply collaborators. Personally maintain a portfolio of high-level or multinational partners. Oversee the partner approval process and build systems to ensure that new and existing relationships are healthy, mission aligned, and sustainable.
• Partner Support and Continuity: Ensure distribution partners are equipped, engaged, and aligned with Free Wheelchair Mission’s standards for program delivery, impact, and mission. Foster long term relationships built on trust, transparency, and mutual accountability. Monitor partner health and capacity in collaboration with other team leads, helping to ensure strong continuity of care across all regions and a consistent experience for every wheelchair recipient.
• Cross Department Collaboration: Work closely with the Director of Programs Operations and Compliance to ensure alignment on partner expectations, impact monitoring, and program compliance. Coordinate regularly with leaders in manufacturing, finance, and development to align distribution goals, resource planning, and reporting systems.
• Team Leadership and Management: Supervise and support the Programs Partnerships team, including Partner Relationship Managers, Regional Trainers, and Coordinators. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and purpose. Provide ongoing mentorship and ensure the team is equipped to lead strong relationships and represent FWM with professionalism and care.
• Program Planning and Integration: Create annual engagement calendars, develop strategic communications for partners, and coordinate key touchpoints for senior leadership and board engagement. Contribute to vision trip planning, international events, and impact storytelling. Represent the Programs team in cross-functional efforts to integrate partner data, field updates, and donor experiences.
• Travel and External Representation: Travel internationally and domestically to maintain strong partner relationships, observe programs in action, and represent FWM at key gatherings. Serve as a public ambassador for the mission—sharing stories, gathering insights, and building trust with partners and supporters alike.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required. A degree in international development, nonprofit management, public health, or a related field is preferred. Additional training in global program strategy, cross-cultural leadership, or organizational development is a plus.
• Critical Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit program leadership, global partnerships, or international development. Demonstrated success managing long-term relationships with field partners, faith-based collaborators, or regional networks. Experience leading teams and overseeing program-related planning, communication, and reporting is essential.
• Relevant Experience: Experience working in cross-cultural environments and managing relationships across time zones, languages, and local contexts. Familiarity with nonprofit program delivery, partnership accountability, and global logistics. Prior experience in a faith-based organization or a mission-driven team is highly valued.
• Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to lead with clarity and adaptability. Comfortable building new systems, setting strategic direction, and co-leading alongside peers in operations, compliance, and training. Able to manage competing priorities, guide a growing team, and translate organizational goals into clear action plans.
• Communication and Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust across diverse teams, cultures, and partner organizations. Comfortable representing the organization externally and collaborating across departments internally. Able to communicate with warmth, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.

• Free Wheelchair Mission is entering a new phase of growth. With that comes the need for strategic clarity, operational follow through, and the ability to build in real time. This leader will need to bring strong systems thinking while staying grounded in relationships and mission.
• The Programs team is growing and shifting in meaningful ways. This Director will work alongside a colleague to shape new structures, clarify roles, and support a healthy team rhythm. Success in this shared leadership model will come from thoughtful communication, emotional intelligence, and a spirit of collaboration.
• Global partnerships vary widely in context and capacity. Ensuring consistency across diverse regions will require cultural awareness, thoughtful communication, and a willingness to adapt without compromising standards.
• The GEN 4 JOY launch represents an exciting opportunity but also a complex rollout. This leader will help ensure partners are prepared, aligned, and positioned to steward the growth well.
• This is a highly relational role that includes international and domestic travel. Balancing travel, team leadership, and strategic planning will require strong prioritization and presence.

Opportunities

• This is a rare chance to lead global partner engagement for a mission driven organization with a proven track record and a bold vision for the future.
• Free Wheelchair Mission has already established a strong foundation. The new Director will have the tools, support, and leadership access to build something lasting and deeply impactful.
• The work is deeply meaningful. Every partner relationship directly impacts lives around the world, helping individuals gain mobility, access, and dignity through a simple but transformative gift.
• The team is talented and faith centered. There is a culture of trust, humility, and shared purpose, with senior leadership invested in long term sustainability and mission growth.
• With the GEN 4 JOY launch on the horizon and a clear goal of reaching 3 million lives by 2035, this is a moment of momentum. The right leader will step into a season that is full of vision, innovation, and the potential to shape the future of mobility on a global scale.

• Lead the Expansion of Free Wheelchair Mission’s Global Reach: You will guide the strategy and structure that strengthens FWM’s global partner network. From identifying new distribution relationships to deepening existing ones, your leadership will help ensure that every wheelchair delivered reflects the mission, values, and standards of Free Wheelchair Mission.
• Champion Alignment Across Teams and Regions: You will serve as a connector between field partners and the home office by working closely with programs, compliance, medical, and development teams to ensure clear communication and shared purpose. Your role will help unify the experience across countries and build systems that support long term growth and program excellence.
• Ensure Continuity and Care in Global Partnerships: You will oversee a team that manages the day to day engagement and health of global distribution and medical supply partners. By fostering trusted relationships and monitoring alignment, you will ensure strong continuity of care for wheelchair recipients and long standing collaboration with local teams.
• Support the Launch of GEN 4 JOY: You will play a key role in helping partners prepare for the rollout of the new GEN 4 JOY wheelchair by coordinating strategy, training, and communication to support a smooth and meaningful launch. This is a major milestone for Free Wheelchair Mission and an opportunity to reach more people than ever before.
• Travel with Purpose and Representation: You will travel internationally and domestically to strengthen partnerships, observe programs in action, and represent Free Wheelchair Mission at events, vision trips, and global gatherings. These visits are essential for building trust, encouraging alignment, and sharing the story of how mobility transforms lives.