Director, Planning and Development

Kamehameha Schools • Plaza, ND

3d • $180,400 - $272,900 • Hybrid

About The Position

Kamehameha Schools is seeking a Director, Planning & Development who will lead the strategic vision and execution of KS’ real estate portfolio across diverse regions, driving long-term value through innovative planning and development. This leadership role combines a strong commercial mindset with a deep commitment to community impact, ensuring alignment with cultural stewardship, economic growth, and sustainability. Building on the current focus on the neighbor islands, we are especially interested in candidates who can continue to advance this work—ideally bringing prior neighbor island experience and/or strong ties to those communities. While the position may be based on Oahu or in one of our neighbor island offices, familiarity with and connection to neighbor island contexts will be highly valued.

The Director is responsible for providing high-level leadership, strategic oversight, and direction for KS’ real estate portfolio planning and development activities across multiple geographic regions. This role uses a commercial mindset to drive the vision and execution of KS’ real estate portfolio strategy, ensuring alignment with community, cultural, and broader economic objectives. The Director will lead a team of Planning and Development Senior Managers and Managers (Level I/II) while fostering cross-functional collaboration and managing relationships with key internal and industry stakeholders. They will ensure that KS’ planning, development, and community engagement efforts generate long-term value and economic returns. This role is responsible for ensuring that the real estate portfolio upholds KS’ commitment to Hawaiian cultural stewardship while advocating for education sustainability, and responsible real estate development.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Urban Planning, Real Estate Development, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in real estate development, strategic planning, and economic development, including at least 5 years in leadership or director-level roles.
• Extensive experience in public-private partnerships (PPPs), policy advocacy, and community engagement strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams, manage large projects, and deliver on strategic objectives.
• Deep understanding of market analysis, financial structuring, and investment strategies.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of Hawaii commercial real estate market.
• Familiarity with government departments and regulations with regards to permits, zoning, building codes and archeological issues.
• Real estate sales or broker license.
• Real estate trade association certification (CPM, CRE, CCIM).
• Certified Planner (AICP).
• Prior neighbor island experience and/or strong ties to those communities.

Responsibilities

• Uses commercial strategies and activities to lead and oversee the development and execution of master plans, sub-market strategies, and property-level plans across multiple regions, ensuring alignment with KS’ broader business objectives, brand identity, cultural values, and sustainability goals.
• Lead comprehensive due diligence and develops robust business cases for development initiatives, including market analysis, financial modeling, return analysis, valuation, capital structuring, and transaction strategy.
• Champion the integration of industry trends and best practices into the strategic development and planning process, ensuring that KS maintains a competitive edge in the real estate and land economic markets.
• Provide strategic direction for large-scale projects, leading cross-functional teams and setting goals and targets that align with KS’ vision and economic objectives.
• Directly manage Senior Managers and Managers (Level I/II) fostering professional development and ensuring alignment with KS’ strategic goals.
• Assesses and determines broader economic and social impacts resulting from development and planning activities and leverages support for feasibility and public acceptance. Could include economic returns, industry/job creation, market competitiveness, and community impact.
• Directs entitlement efforts and leads financial forecasting for proposed development and redevelopment projects.
• Collaborates with cross-functional partners throughout all planning and development phases, with a strategic focus on analyzing regulatory and legislative impacts to optimize project outcomes.
• Actively participate in public-private partnerships (PPPs), working with government agencies, industry leaders, and other key stakeholders to advance KS’ development and strategic economic initiatives.
• Oversee market intelligence gathering, including economic impact assessments, and use this data to guide portfolio strategy, identify opportunities, and mitigate risks.
• Determines execution strategy and transaction structure, including self-development, fee development, joint ventures, ground leases, and other complex arrangements.
• Leads negotiations to secure favorable agreements and drive alignment with organizational goals that maximize value and mitigate risk.
• Lead KS’ community relations strategy, ensuring that cultural stewardship, sustainability, and community needs are prioritized in all planning and development initiatives.
• Develop and nurture relationships with government officials, business associations, and community organizations, influencing public policy and securing support for KS’ development objectives.
• Oversee community consultations and the integration of Indigenous planning and cultural stewardship into the development process, ensuring that local needs and concerns are addressed.
• Lead the financial oversight of large-scale planning and development projects, ensuring that financial forecasts, business plans, and performance metrics are met.
• Act as the primary point of contact for investment partners, government agencies, and other key stakeholders, managing complex negotiations and ensuring that development agreements meet KS’ strategic and financial objectives.
• Monitor the long-term performance of completed projects, ensuring they meet or exceed projected returns and contribute to KS’ broader goals.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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