Advisor, Strategic Partnerships and Government Affairs

About the role

This role strengthens Ke Kula o Kamehameha’s (KS) ability to advance its mission and policy priorities through enduring partnerships, coordinated advocacy, and relational leadership grounded in trust and shared purpose. This role integrates cultivating partnerships across Hawaiian-serving, educational, aina-based, and philanthropic networks to support collective advocacy and systems change, and engaging policymakers and public agencies to advance enterprise priorities.

Responsibilities

• Build and sustain relationships with Native Hawaiian, civic, educational, aina-based, philanthropic, and government partners.
• Cook up coalitions, working groups, and joint initiatives advancing priorities determined by KS’ strategic plans and the Government Relations Committee (GRC).
• Support joint advocacy campaigns through 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, and consistent engagement.
• Track partnership activities, commitments, and outcomes for reporting, transparency, and enterprise learning.
• Help sustain long-term partnerships beyond transactional advocacy efforts.
• Cultural and Strategic Alignment Ground all work in KS’ identity and values. Center advocacy and partnership work in service to supporting ea. Demonstrate cultural fluency and relational awareness across government and partnership interactions. Represent KS as a principled, trusted, and culturally grounded organization committed to advancing collective well-being.
• Conduct partnership and policy research to inform strategic decision-making and advocacy efforts.
• Prepare briefing notes, data summaries, and policy scans for GRC and senior leadership.
• Maintain records of meetings, engagements, and legislative interactions to support institutional continuity.
• Support 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 KS in hearings, meetings, or briefings with legislators, agency officials, and coalition partners, as delegated.
• Maintain legislative calendars, contact lists, and action trackers to ensure timely follow-up.
• Summarize key developments and provide policy updates for leadership and staff.
• Collaborate closely with communications teams to ensure unified messaging across policy, partnership, and public engagement efforts.
• Work with other KS divisions to share partner insights, identify opportunities, and align efforts.
• Support leadership in aligning partnership and government strategies with enterprise priorities and strategic outcomes.
• Carefully coordinate internal communications to foster shared understanding of advocacy efforts across KS.
• Lead through kuleana and trust by focusing on alignment, relationships, and shared purpose to bridge strategy, partnership, and policy.
• Model disciplined follow-through, discretion, and reliability in carrying out responsibilities.
• Foster collaboration, pilina, and mutual accountability across teams and partners.
• Contribute to a work culture that integrates reflection, learning, and cultural grounding as essential elements of effective advocacy.

  Requirements

  • 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.
  • 7 years 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 sustain cross-sector relationships.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including legislative and partnership correspondence.
  • Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to operate in diverse, cross-sector contexts.
  • High degree of professionalism, reliability, and integrity.

  Qualifications

  • Proficiency or conversational familiarity in olelo Hawaiʻi.
  • 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).

  Skills

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to build and maintain relationships.
  • Understanding of Hawaiian culture and politics.
  • Effective research and analytical skills.
  • Strong writing and editing skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

  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.

  Pay

  Pay Range 132,800.00 - 189,600.00 Annual Compensation

  Schedule

  Work is typically conducted Monday through Friday at normal business hours but evening and weekend hours are often required to meet goals and objectives.