The Manila mission is one of the US Department of State's largest posts, employing close to 300 Americans and 1,000 Foreign Service national employees.

The building is built on reclaimed land that was a gift from the Government of the Philippines and sits on more than 600 reinforced concrete piles that were sunk 60 feet into the site.

The site was originally designed as a demesne along Manila Bay, which featured a revival-style mansion that took advantage of the seaside vista.

The Embassy exercises a number of functions in its representation to the Government of the Philippines, including political, administrative, economic, public diplomacy, and consular affairs, that are managed under the Ambassador with help of counselors from the U.S. Department of State.

Prior to her appointment, senior diplomat Heather Variava had assumed the role of chargé d’affaires, succeeding John Law who ended his tour of duty in the Philippines in September 2021.