KEES has been exclusively retained by the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission in its search for an Executive Director.

The Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission is in search of a passionate advocate for charter schools and their positive impact on Hawaiʻi’s public education system. The next Executive Director will be a visible and compelling storyteller of the success outcomes of the charter school students across Hawaiʻi and a dynamic leader who seeks out new possibilities for continued innovation and transformation of Hawaiʻi’s charter schools and educational equity.

Directly reporting to the Commission Chairperson, the Executive Director will lead a full-time team of 21 that consists of three sections: Authorizing, Federal Programs, and Early Learning/Pre-K programs. Accountable to the Commission for carrying out the organization’s mission and achieving its goals, the Executive Director is responsible for overall planning, deployment, coordination, monitoring, improvement, and management of the Commission’s staff and operations, and for carrying out necessary Hawaiʻi state agency functions. Responsible for the execution of processes for authorizing new charter schools, the Executive Director will be charged with monitoring and holding accountable existing schools, including renewals, revocations, and closures.

Some specific requirements include:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in a leadership and/or management role, with overall responsibility for leading others, managing a budget, developing and executing project plans, strategies, and tactics, and measuring, monitoring, and improving organizational performance.
• Understanding of and respect for the unique cultures, diversity, and history of Hawaiʻi and the educational system.
• Exceptional ability to work across lines of difference and divergent perspectives with diplomacy and discretion, bringing people together around shared vision and goals.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to share information, influence/persuade others, and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes. Strong public speaking skills are required, as well as the ability to convey compelling messages with a variety of audiences.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to Commission staff, Commissioners, charter school leadership and staff, charter school students and families, Board of Education, HIDOE, public/civic leadership, advocacy groups, donors, business leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with demonstrated ability to develop concrete strategies to implement and monitor complex plans and courses of action to achieve stated goals.
• Demonstrated success in change management environment, and proven ability to anticipate upcoming challenges/opportunities and adapt to changing circumstances.

This position offers a competitive salary with strong benefits. Compensation is expected to be + / – $175,000 commensurate with experience. Relocation expenses, if necessary, are subject to negotiations. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid vacation and sick leave; paid holidays; and retirement plan as provided by the Employee Retirement System (ERS).

TO APPLY, PLEASE CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/Executive-Director-Hawaii-SPCSC.

To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will be accepted via email. ALL INQUIRIES WILL BE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.

This search is being managed by Heather Eddy, President and CEO, Yoo-Jin Hong, Executive Search Manager, and Megan Taylor, Project Manager of KEES. Questions may be addressed to mtaylor@kees2success.com.

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public entity sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

As the statewide charter school authority, the mission of the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission (the Commission) is to:

• Authorize high-quality public charter schools throughout the State by soliciting, evaluating, and approving applications for new schools;
• Negotiate and execute sound school contracts;
• Monitor performance and legal compliance of our schools; and
• Determine renewal, nonrenewal, or revocation of their charter contracts.

To learn more, please visit www.chartercommission.hawaii.gov.