K

Kamehameha Schools

Native Hawaiian education system

Director Strategic Partnerships and Government Relations

Full-Time
$157.3k - $224.5k/yr
Senior, Expert
Bachelor's, Master's
Honolulu, HI, USA
HybridHybrid work may be available with supervisor-approved work plans; travel to neighboring islands and the U.S. mainland is required.
Business & StrategyCorporate Strategy

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Government Relations, Urban Planning, Hawaiian Studies, or a related field is required; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
  • At least 7 years of progressive experience in government relations, strategic partnerships, advocacy, or providing legal counsel is required.
  • At least 5 years of experience managing teams is required.
  • Demonstrated success in designing and executing strategic alliances across government, community, and economic sectors is required.
  • Proven ability to influence decision-makers and mobilize collective action within complex policy, planning, and development systems is required.
  • Strong understanding of Hawaii's legislative, regulatory, and community landscapes, including land-use, zoning, permitting, and entitlement processes, is required.
  • Fluency in ʻāina development processes, from community engagement through construction and activation, is required.
  • Established credibility and relationships within Native Hawaiian, civic, governmental, and development networks are required.
  • Ability to navigate sensitive economic, cultural, and political dynamics with diplomacy and cultural fluency is required.
  • Strategic thinking, foresight, and the ability to create pathways for collective impact are required.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to translate complex issues into clear, actionable strategies are required.
  • A demonstrated reputation for integrity, trustworthiness, and consistent follow-through is required.
  • Commitment to modeling E Ola! values and advancing ea is required.
Responsibilities
  • Translate KS strategic priorities from senior leaders and the Government Relations Committee into a unified strategy for partnerships, advocacy, and government relations.
  • Lead and partner with other KS divisions to plan and align external initiatives and enterprise priorities, ensuring unified messaging and advocacy efforts lead to collective impact.
  • Incorporate community insight, policy trends, and market realities into decision-making.
  • Lead government engagement for KS at federal, state, and county levels, implementing the Government Relations Committee's priorities and advocacy strategies through tactical plans.
  • Prepare policy analyses, recommendations, and briefing materials for the Government Relations Committee and executive leadership, and facilitate alignment on positions and priorities.
  • Build and maintain trusted relationships with public officials to advance policies supporting Native Hawaiian education, ʻāina stewardship, housing, and sustainable development.
  • Oversee contracted lobbyists and advocacy partners for effectiveness and alignment with KS values and identity.
  • Design and steward partnerships and solutions that reflect KS values and advance priorities in education, ʻāina stewardship, kaiaulu-building, and financial sustainability.
  • Convene and co-create advocacy, investment, and grant strategies with Native Hawaiian organizations, government, philanthropy, and business leaders.
  • Cultivate relationships that enhance mutual accountability and KS influence across cultural, community, and economic arenas.
  • Ensure KS is viewed as a credible, principled, culturally grounded, and dependable partner whose approaches are expressed through E Ola!.
  • Support ʻāina initiatives by cultivating partnerships and advocacy pathways that enable culturally grounded, income-generating projects.
  • Promote policy environments and model developments that integrate cultural integrity, environmental stewardship, and economic success.
  • Model KS values and identity through leadership that advances ea, connecting people and systems toward collective renewal.
  • Inspire and develop high-performing teams through collaboration, trust, foresight, and accountability.
  • Build cultural and professional capacity of teams by promoting strategic thinking, transparency, and accountability.
  • Develop and track performance measures for partnerships, advocacy, and kaiaulu-building, and provide progress updates to senior leadership.
Desired Qualifications
  • A master's or terminal degree in a relevant field is preferred.
  • Proficiency in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi is preferred.
  • Active engagement in sustained efforts related to aloha ʻāina, including cultural practices, environmental stewardship, or social and economic justice, demonstrating community standing and respect is preferred.
  • Established relationships across Native Hawaiian, governmental, and philanthropic sectors are preferred.
  • Experience leading cross-sector partnerships or advocacy coalitions focused on Hawaiian community or sustainable development is preferred.
  • Relationships with other Indigenous groups and leaders are preferred.
  • Senior-level experience integrating policy, partnerships, and development strategies for mission-driven organizations is preferred.

About the company

K

Kamehameha Schools

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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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