Advisor, Strategic Partnerships and Government Affairs

Kamehameha Schools • Plaza, ND

1d • $132,800 - $189,600 • Hybrid

About The Position

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. Working under the direction of leadership, the Adviser ensures that KS' presence in community and government arenas is aligned, principled, and reflective of the organization’s values and strategic direction. The Adviser represents KS in small- and mid-scale engagements, builds alignment across partners and policymakers, and ensures that advocacy actions are well-informed, culturally grounded, and executed with excellence.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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).

Responsibilities

• Build and sustain relationships with Native Hawaiian, civic, educational, aina-based, philanthropic, and government partners.
• Coordinate 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.
• 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.
• Contribute to reporting, including an annual Strategic Partnerships and Government Relations Impact Report.
• Maintain records of meetings, engagements, and legislative interactions to support institutional continuity.
• Support coordination 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 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.
• 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.
• Demonstrate humility and foresight in navigating complex political and community environments.
• Contribute to a work culture that integrates reflection, learning, and cultural grounding as essential elements of effective advocacy.

Benefits

• Total Rewards Program embodies KS's dedication to the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our employee ʻohana.
• Comprehensive Benefits Summary for more information.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior