Director, Strategic Communications

HCF’s Collaboration Philosophy 

At the Hawai’i Community Foundation (HCF), we believe that an organization’s team as a “whole is greater than the sum of its parts” (Aristotle). To us, this means that we are committed to be a collaborative ‘ohana (family) that lives and actionizes our mission, respects and cares for each other, and innovates and learns together. We understand that we must rely upon all our individual strengths as we partner to provide excellent value and achieve effective results for our generous donors, community partners, and all of Hawai’i’s people.

Position Summary

Like all HCF team members and volunteers, the Strategic Communications Director exudes the heart and passion for HCF’s mission: to inspire the spirit of giving and invest in people and solutions to benefit our community. The Strategic Communications Director leads the execution of the organization’s communications strategy to elevate visibility, strengthen engagement, and advance mission impact. This role drives integrated communications planning across campaigns, initiatives, and organizational priorities, ensuring cohesive and compelling messaging across all channels.

This position manages and mentors the Communications Specialist and Writer, provides editorial leadership, and partners closely with senior leadership to shape clear, consistent communication. The Director also oversees organizational events, supported by the Communications Specialist, to ensure seamless planning, strategic alignment, and strong audience engagement. Additionally, this role leads internal communications to keep employees informed, connected, and aligned. 

Essential Position Responsibilities

Key responsibilities fall within primary areas of focus and are as follows:

Content Creation 

• Translate organizational strategy into clear messaging frameworks and communications plans. 
• Serve as a lead writer and editor for high-visibility communications, including key organizational announcements, leadership messaging, campaign content, and strategic narratives. 
• Provide editorial oversight and substantive editing for content produced by the Writer, Communications Specialist, and other contributors.  
• Oversee, edit or write issues based, action-oriented story telling across multiple platforms including traditional, digital, social, video/multimedia production, marketing, and photography / photojournalism.
• Collaborate closely with creative, programs, development, and executive leadership teams to ensure coordinated messaging and cohesive storytelling. 
• Synthesize and convey HCF’s perspective and branding consistently across all platforms.

Strengthen the Organizational Communications Capacity and Internal Support

• Lead integrated communications planning across campaigns, initiatives, and organizational priorities.
• Supervise, manage, and mentor the Writer and Communications Specialist, providing guidance, feedback, and professional development. 
• Develop and oversee HCF internal communications policies and procedures for staff and Board of Governors related to external communication.

Media Relations

• Lead integrated communications planning across campaigns, initiatives, and organizational priorities.
• Ensure alignment and consistency across digital, social, email, and owned channels.
• Oversee, edit, and write editorial pieces, speeches, talking points, and develop presentations for high-stakes communications and storytelling opportunities. 
• Monitor performance metrics and use insights to refine strategies and improve impact. 
• Support crisis communications and sensitive issues management as needed.

Supervision of Staff

• Supervise and mentor staff as assigned
• Motivate top performance and accountability through shared, and clear communication of collaborative goals and objectives.  

Other Responsibilities 

• Oversee planning and logistics for organizational events, including timelines, communications, and execution, with operational and project support from the Communications Specialist.  
• Expand skills and knowledge of the communications and philanthropic sector by attending relevant meetings, workshops and seminars, and conferences.   
• Serve as a knowledgeable and collaborative representative of HCF in the community.
• Partner collaboratively with other staff members to ensure effective outcomes.
• Perform other projects and tasks as assigned

Position Requirements

HCF believes in ensuring that our team members are capable of thriving in their positions.  Accordingly, the Strategic Communications Director must possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and education:

REQUIRED

• 10+ years of experience in communications, public relations, or related fields. 
• Proven ability to lead communications strategy across multiple channels. 
• Exceptional writing, editing, and narrative development skills. 
• Excellent project and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong understanding of digital communications and analytics. 
• Four (4) years minimum supervisory experience to include direct and indirect reports with the demonstrated ability to lead a team, exercise sound judgment, and work with minimal supervision.
• Experience in storytelling for various platforms such as social media, blogging, print, and infographics.
• Ability to manage time effectively meeting multiple deadlines and produce polished work with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Highly proficient computer skills in Microsoft Word, Internet research, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with varied constituents including government officials, business and nonprofit leaders, and donors.
• Ability to be extremely discrete in working with or having knowledge of sensitive or confidential information related to client and donor information, relationships, and funds.

Alignment to culture and values 

• Thorough knowledge, sensitivity, and understanding of the history and complexities of Hawai‘i’s multicultural community as well as current events and social issues.
• Demonstrated passion for the betterment of Hawai‘i and its people. 
• Capable of thriving in a highly collaborative and flexible organization with an appreciation and respect for colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives and an enthusiasm to continually shift and evolve to meet the needs of the community, clients, and donors.

Work Environment, Physical, and Mental Demands

• Works under regular in-office conditions with the ability to work remotely.
• General office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Required to travel as needed.
• Ability to multi-task, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines often in tight time frames.
• Ability to operate general office equipment including computer, copier, printers, fax machine, etc.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, up to 25 lbs. of general office material or equipment. 

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This provides a general description of the common duties performed by a person in this position. It does not include every possible duty an individual in this position may be asked to perform and is not all-encompassing. Positions also may require “other duties as assigned” and such assignments are considered part of this position’s assignment. This job description is provided as a general summary and does not constitute a contract for employment and does not in any way alter Hawai`i Community Foundation’s employment “at-will” relationship with any employee in this position.

 An Equal Opportunity Employer