Advisor – Strategic Partnerships and Government Affairs
Kamehameha Schools
Advisor – Strategic Partnerships and Government Affairs
Kamehameha Schools
Native Hawaiian education system
Job Posting Title
Advisor, Strategic Partnerships and Government AffairsEmployee Type
RegularRecruiting Start Date
06-02-2026Job Exempt?
YesRecruiting End Date
Open Until FilledAloha mai!Mahalo for your interest in Kamehameha Schools.If you are looking for an opportunity to utilize your skills and talents and grow in your profession, while serving and strengthening our Native Hawaiian community, we would love to have you join our ʻohana!
Job Summary
This rolestrengthensKe KulaoKamehameha’s(KS)abilityto advance its mission and policy priorities through enduring partnerships, coordinated advocacy, and relational leadership grounded in trust and shared purpose.This role integratescultivating partnerships across Hawaiian-serving, educational, aina-based, and philanthropic networks to supportcollective advocacy and systems change, and engaging policymakers and public agencies to advance enterprise priorities.
Working under the direction ofleadership, the Adviser ensures that KS'presence in community and government arenas isaligned, principled, andreflective ofthe organization’s values and strategic direction. The AdviserrepresentsKSinsmall- and mid-scale engagements, builds alignment across partners and policymakers, and ensures that advocacy actions are well-informed, culturally grounded, and executed with excellence.
Essential Responsibilities
Partnership Cultivation and Coordination
Build and sustain relationships with Native Hawaiian, civic, educational, aina-based, philanthropic, and governmentpartners.
Coordinate coalitions, working groups, and joint initiativesadvancingprioritiesdeterminedby KS’strategic plans and the Government Relations Committee (GRC).
Support joint advocacy campaignsthrough partner alignment,logistics, communication, and follow through.
Serve as a point of contact and relationship steward for designated external partners, ensuring mutual accountability, cultural integrity, andconsistent engagement.
Track partnership activities, commitments, and outcomesfor reporting, transparency, and enterprise learning.
Help sustain long-term partnerships beyond transactional advocacy efforts.
Cultural and Strategic Alignment
Ground allwork in KS’ identity andvalues.
Centeradvocacy and partnershipwork in service tosupportingea.
Demonstrate cultural fluency and relational awarenessacrossgovernment and partnership interactions.
Represent KSas a principled,trusted, andculturally grounded organization committed to advancing collective well-being.
Research, Briefing, and Reporting
Conduct partnership and policy research to inform strategic decision-making and advocacyefforts.
Prepare briefing notes, data summaries, and policy scans forGRCand senior leadership.
Contribute toreporting, includingan annualStrategic Partnerships and Government Relations Impact Report.
Maintain records of meetings, engagements, and legislative interactions to support institutional continuity.
Legislative and Policy Engagement
Supportcoordination of KS’legislative and regulatory engagement, including policy analysis, testimony preparation, and briefings.
Monitor and analyze proposed legislation, administrative rules, and policy initiatives affecting KS’interests.
Draft and edit position statements, reports, and briefing materials for internal and external use.
Represent KSin hearings, meetings, or briefings with legislators, agency officials, and coalition partners, as delegated.
Maintain legislative calendars, contact lists, and action trackers to ensuretimelyfollow-up.
Summarize key developments and provide policy updates forleadershipand staff.
Internal Coordination and Strategic Alignment
Collaborate closely withcommunications teamsto ensure unified messaging across policy,partnership, and public engagement efforts.
Work withother KSdivisionsto share partner insights,identifyopportunities, andalign efforts.
Supportleadershipin aligning partnership and government strategieswithenterprise priorities and strategic outcomes.
Coordinate internal communications to foster shared understandingof advocacy effortsacross KS.
Leadership throughPilinaand Service
Lead throughkuleanaand trust by focusing on alignment, relationships, and sharedpurposeto bridgestrategy, partnership, and policy.
Model disciplined follow-through, discretion, and reliability in carrying outresponsibilities.
Foster collaboration,pilina, andmutual accountability across teams and partners.
Demonstrate humility and foresight in navigating complex political and community environments.
Contribute to a work culture that integrates reflection, learning, andcultural groundingas essential elements of effective advocacy.
Position Requirements
Minimum Qualifications -An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered for the requirements listed.
Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Hawaiian Studies, Political Science, Business, or related field.
7years of progressively responsible experience in legislative affairs, policy analysis, community partnerships, or advocacy coordination.
Strong understanding of Hawaii’s political, cultural, and community landscapes.
Proven ability to build and sustaincross-sectorrelationships.
Excellentverbal and writtencommunication skills, including legislative and partnership correspondence.
Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability tooperatein diverse,cross-sectorcontexts.
Highdegreeof professionalism, reliability, and integrity.
Preferred Qualifications
Proficiencyor conversational familiarityin oleloHawaiʻi.
Experience working with Native Hawaiian-serving, Indigenous, or culturally grounded organizations.
Established relationships within community, legislative, or advocacy networks.
Experience supporting multisector coalitions or partnerships.
Knowledge of policy-tracking systems or partnership management tools (e.g.,Airtable, Smartsheet, or Monday.com).
Physical Requirements
Frequently sit, perform desk-based computer tasks and grasp light or fine manipulation,talkor hear.
Specific vision abilitiesrequiredinclude close vision, peripheralvisionand ability to adjust focus.
Occasionally stand and/or walk,write by hand, and lift and/or carry, push and/or pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds (equipment and materials for community engagement efforts).
Rarely twist, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crawl, climb,reachor work above shoulder, or grasp forcefully.
Working Conditions
This position involves traveling to various locations, includingneighborislands and US continent locations to conduct business.
Work is conducted in an office environment and may require work to be conducted in non- standardworkplaces.
With supervisor-approved work plans, hybrid work may also be conducted through on-line settings (Teams, Slack, etc.).
Work is typically conducted Monday through Friday at normal businesshoursbut evening and weekend hours are oftenrequiredto meet goals andobjectives.
Disclaimer:The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities,dutiesand skillsrequired.The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned.
For internal use only: #LI-CAR
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us at [email protected] or 808-534-8040 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
KS does not accept unauthorized solicitations of candidate referrals from third-party vendors (i.e. Staffing Agencies, Executive Recruitment Firms). Any third-party vendor who has interest in supporting KS's recruiting efforts must be authorized by Human Resources prior to the vendor’s candidate applying with KS.
Work Year
12Pay Range
136,800.00 - 195,400.00 AnnualCompensation and Benefits
Based on the compensation range provided below, salaries are commensurate with job-related experience, skills and competencies, education, internal equity, length of work year, and other organizational needs.At Kamehameha Schools (KS), we recognize that compensation is just one facet of a fulfilling employment experience. Our commitment lies in fostering a positive work environment and equipping employees with the necessary resources to excel every day. Our Total Rewards Program embodies KS's dedication to the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our employee ʻohana. Explore our comprehensive Benefits Summary for more information.
Primary Location
Kawaiahao PlazaCity, State
Honolulu, HawaiiAdditional Locations
Native Hawaiian education system
Kamehameha Schools is a private charitable educational trust serving Native Hawaiian learners and communities. It operates preschool and K-12 campuses while supporting community education, scholarships, enrichment, and land-based learning. Its mission is rooted in the will of founder Bernice Pauahi Bishop and the long-term well-being of Native Hawaiians. Kamehameha Schools is both an education system and a charitable trust, using land stewardship and community investment to advance Native Hawaiian identity, culture, language, academic preparation, leadership, and lifelong opportunity.
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