About this opportunity
Kamehameha Schools lists this Director, Strategic Partnerships and Government Relations opportunity in honolulu, Hawaii. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Title: Director, Strategic Partnerships and Government Relations
Employment Type: Regular (Exempt)
Recruiting Start Date:
Recruiting End Date: Open Until Filled
Job Summary: This role leads Ke Kula o Kamehameha policy and partnership strategies to advance Pauahi’s mission and the organization’s key priorities. The Director builds high‑impact alliances, leads advocacy efforts, and shapes government relations to influence systems change and collective impact to strengthen Hawaiian self‑determination. Working closely with internal teams and external partners, the Director ensures alignment between messaging, policy, and enterprise initiatives and positions Kamehameha in key decision‑making arenas, creating conditions for culture‑based educational excellence, vibrant aina, thriving kaiaulu, and sustainable financial outcomes.
Essential Responsibilities
Strategic Guidance and Integration: 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.
Government Relations & Policy Impact: Lead government engagement at federal, state, and county levels, implementing GRC’s priorities and advocacy strategies through tactical plans. Prepare policy analyses, recommendations, and briefing materials for GRC and executive leadership; facilitate alignment on positions and priorities. Build and maintain trusted relationships with public officials to advance policies supporting Native Hawaiian education, aina stewardship, housing, and sustainable development. Oversee contracted lobbyists and advocacy partners for effectiveness and alignment with KS values and identity.
Partnerships & Alliance Building: Design and steward partnerships and solutions that reflect KS values and advance priorities in education, aina 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.
Aina Development, Kaiaulu Building & Financial Sustainability Support: Support aina 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.
Organizational Leadership: 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; provide progress updates to senior leadership.
Position Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
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 aina development 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 EOlavalues and advancing ea.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s or terminal degree in a relevant field.
Proficiency in ʻōlelo Hawaii.
Active engagement in sustained efforts related to aloha aina (cultural practices, environmental stewardship, or social and economic justice) demonstrating community 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, talk or hear.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision, peripheral vision and 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 40pounds.
Rarely twist, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crawl, climb, reach or work above shoulder, or grasp forcefully.
Working Conditions
Travels to various locations, including neighbor islands and U.S. continental locations, to conduct business.
Work conducted in an office environment and may require work in non‑standard workplaces.
With supervisor‑approved work plans, hybrid work may also be conducted online.
Work typically conducted Monday through Friday at normal business hours but evening and weekend hours are often required to meet goals and objectives.
Compensation and Benefits
Work toward an annual pay range of $152,700.00 – $218,000.00, commensurate with experience, credentials and internal considerations. KS offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports physical, mental, and financial well‑being.
EEO Statement: Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. To request an accommodation to apply, contact or 808‑534‑8040. KS does not accept unsolicited candidate referrals from third‑party staffing agencies.
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Worksite address
honolulu, HI, 96814, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.