Director, Strategic Partnerships and Government Relations
Kamehameha Schools
Director, Strategic Partnerships and Government Relations
Kamehameha Schools
Native Hawaiian education system
Job Posting Title
Director, Strategic Partnerships and Government RelationsEmployee 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 roleleadsKe KulaoKamehameha (KS) policy and partnership strategies to advance Pauahi’s missionandthe organization’skeypriorities. This leader builds high-impact alliances, leads advocacy efforts, and shapes government relations to influence systems change and collective impactto strengthen Hawaiian self-determination.
Working closely with internal teams, such as the Government Relations Committee (GRC),and external partners, the Director ensures alignment between messaging, policy, and enterprise initiatives.This leader ensures that Kamehameha is well positioned in key decision-making, community, and economic arenas—creating the conditions for culture-based educational excellence, vibrant aina, thrivingkaiaulu, and sustainable financial outcomes—all in service to theeaof thelahuiand the well-being of Hawaii as a whole.
Essential Responsibilities
Strategic Guidance and Integration
Translate KS strategic priorities from senior leaders and the Government Relations Committee (GRC) 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 communityinsight, policy trends, and market realities into decision-making.
Government Relations & Policy Impact
Lead government engagementfor KSat federal, state, and county levels, implementingGRC’spriorities and advocacy strategiesthroughtactical plans.
Prepare policy analyses, recommendations, and briefing materials for GRC and executive leadership;facilitatealignment on positions and priorities.
Build andmaintaintrusted relationships with public officials to advance policies supporting Native Hawaiian education, ainastewardship, housing, and sustainable development.
Oversee contracted lobbyists and advocacy partners for effectiveness andinalignment with KS valuesand identity, such as EOla!.
Partnerships & Alliance Building
Design and steward partnerships and solutions that reflect KS values and advance priorities in education, ainastewardship,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 accountabilityandKSinfluence across cultural, community, and economic arenas.
Ensure KS is viewed as acredible,principled, culturally grounded, and dependable partner whose approaches are expressed through E Ola!
AinaDevelopment,KaiauluBuilding,andFinancial Sustainability
Support ainainitiatives 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.
OrganizationalLeadership
ModelKS values and identity throughleadershipthat advancesea, connecting people and systems toward collective renewal.
Inspire and develophigh-performingteamsthroughcollaboration,trust, foresight, and accountability.
Build cultural and professional capacity of teams bypromoting strategic thinking, transparency, and accountability
Develop and track performance measures for partnerships, advocacy, andkaiaulu-building; providing progress updates to senior leadership.
Position Requirements
Minimum Qualifications -An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered for the requirements listed.
Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Government Relations, Urban Planning, Hawaiian Studies, or related field.
7 years of progressive experience in government relations, strategic partnerships, advocacy, providing legal counsel
5 years of experience managing teams.
Demonstrated success in designing and executing strategic alliances across government, community, and economic sectors.
Proven ability to influence decision-makers and mobilize collective action within complex policy, planning, and development systems.
Strong understanding of Hawaii’s legislative, regulatory, and community landscapes, including land-use, zoning, permitting, and entitlement processes.
Fluency in ainadevelopment processes—from community engagement through construction and activation.
Established credibility and relationships within Native Hawaiian, civic, governmental, and development networks.
Ability to navigate sensitive economic, cultural, and political dynamics with diplomacy and cultural fluency.
Strategic thinker with foresight and ability to create pathways for collective impact.
Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to translate complex issues into clear, actionable strategies.
Demonstrated reputation for integrity, trustworthiness, and consistent follow-through.
Commitment to modeling E Ola! values and advancing ea.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s or terminal degree in a relevant field.
Proficiencyin oleloHawaii.
Active engagement in sustained efforts related toaloha aina(cultural practices, environmental stewardship, or social and economic justice)demonstratingcommunity standing and respect.
Established relationships across Native Hawaiian, governmental, and philanthropic sectors.
Experience leading cross-sector partnerships or advocacy coalitions focused on Hawaiian community or sustainable development.
Relationships with other indigenous groups and leaders.
Senior-level experience integrating policy, partnerships, and development strategies for mission-driven organizations.
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
157,300.00 - 224,500.00 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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