Director of University Relations (pos#0089265) bei University of Hawaii, HI

About the Department

Title:                                Director of University Relations

Position Number:           0089265

Hiring Unit:                     University Relations

Location:                         UH Hilo

Posting Date:                 September 17, 2025

Closing Date:                 Continuous, first review by date will be on or about October 16, 2025

Salary Information:        Negotiable

Full Time/Part Time:       Full Time

Temporary/Permanent:  Permanent

Employee Type:             Executive Managerial (EM)

INTRODUCTION:

The Director of University Relations at UH Hilo is a key executive leadership role responsible for overseeing the university’s integrated marketing and communications strategy, including government and community relations, alumni engagement, and major institutional events. The Director also serves as the university’s primary spokesperson and advisor on legislative and policy matters and leads a team responsible for advancing UH Hilo’s strategic priorities through marketing, branding, and public relations efforts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develops and executes an integrated marketing and communications (IMC) strategy for UH Hilo, ensuring alignment with institutional goals, branding, and messaging.  Directs internal and external communications, including faculty, staff, student, and community engagement initiatives.

Ensures that all university-wide IMC efforts are coordinated, effective, and strategically managed.

Serves as primary spokesperson for UH Hilo.

Leverages strategic storytelling to center UH Hilo’s mission, student success, Indigenous excellence, and community impact across all communication channels.

Ensures communications strategies reflect UH Hilo’s kuleana to the University of Hawai?i’s commitment to becoming a model Indigenous-serving institution.

Highlights the effectiveness and impact of university programs and initiatives, including assisting in a metrics tracking system that communicates institutional performance to external stakeholders, funders, and partners.

Exercises sound judgment and decision-making under pressure to proactively manage the university’s external and internal reputation, especially during times of crisis or heightened visibility.

Ensures UH Hilo’s website and social media presence is a strategic communication tool that balances accessibility, compliance, user experience and enhance engagement, strengthen brand awareness, and support university initiatives across multiple digital platforms.

Oversees the university’s graphics services division to ensure high-quality creative services support institutional marketing and outreach

Serves as UH Hilo’s lead representative for local, state, and federal government relations.

Prepares testimony, legislative proposals, and briefings for the Chancellor and university leadership.

Advises the Chancellor on legislative strategies, public policy matters, and external affairs impacting UH Hilo.

Works closely with the UH System legislative coordinator, elected officials, government agencies, and community leaders to ensure UH Hilo’s interests are represented in University advocacy efforts.

Establishes and nurtures partnerships with community organizations, business leaders, and other external stakeholders to support UH Hilo’s role in economic and workforce development.

Collaborates with campus and system leadership to build legislative strategies that support Native Hawaiian and Indigenous programs, faculty, and students.

Advances initiatives that reflect the university’s commitment to place-based engagement.

Identifies and cultivates opportunities for research, academic collaboration, and grant development with external institutions and organizations, in support of faculty and institutional advancement.

Collaborates with the UH Foundation to strengthen alumni engagement and philanthropic initiatives.

Develops and executes strategies to enhance alumni connections with UH Hilo, fostering lifelong relationships and institutional support.

Leads community engagement efforts to ensure UH Hilo remains an active and valued regional partner.

Develops engagement strategies that recognize UH Hilo alumni and promote narratives of student achievement and institutional transformation.

Oversees planning and execution of major institutional events, including Chancellor-hosted functions and recognition ceremonies, to ensure cohesive and high-quality experiences for internal and external audiences.

Ensures UH Hilo events align with institutional branding and serve strategic engagement purposes and that public-facing activities affirm UH Hilo’s cultural integrity and role as an Indigenous-serving institution.

Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in communications, public relations, marketing, political science, public administration, business administration, or a related field.

Minimum of five (5) years of in communications, marketing, public relations, government relations, or a related field.

Experience leading strategic marketing and communications efforts in a complex organization.

Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and team management skills.

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience handling sensitive and high-profile issues.

Experience with or understanding of performance measurement systems, communications dashboards, or metrics frameworks for external reporting.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., communications, marketing, public administration, higher education administration).

Experience working in higher education or a large public institution.

Demonstrated success in developing and executing legislative strategies.

Experience in alumni relations and fundraising.

Knowledge of higher education policy, accreditation, and enrollment management issues.

Strong crisis communication skills and experience serving as a spokesperson for an organization.

Demonstrated understanding of the unique responsibilities of a Hawai?i-based institution, including engagement with Native Hawaiian communities, culture, and language (basic greetings, responses, and commonly used expressions).

Basic proficiency in the Hawaiian language with an understanding of basic greetings, responses, and commonly used expressions, and the ability to communicate them orally and in writing.

Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to advance communication strategies that reflect Indigenous knowledge, values, and protocols.

Experience incorporating Native Hawaiian and Indigenous perspectives into public messaging, advocacy, and storytelling.

Experience building academic, research, and community-engaged  partnerships across institutions and with government, nonprofit, industry, and community-based organizations.

To Apply:   Click on the “Apply” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach each required document. A complete application must include:

1. Cover letter explaining how each minimum and desirable qualification is met
2. Resume
3. The names and addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) current professional references
4. Transcript(s) showing degrees and course work appropriate to the position (copies are acceptable; however, original official transcripts will be required prior to employment).  

Please do not include any self-identifying photos.  Please redact references to Social Security number and birthdates on transcript copies.   All requested documents/information will become the property of the University.  All minimum qualifications must be met by the hire date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Failure to submit all required documents and reference information shall deem an application to be incomplete.

Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.

Inquiries: Pele Harman, [email protected]

Position Duties

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran.  For more information or inquiries regarding these policies, please refer to the following link: http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/eeo-coordinators/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request:  The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly.  Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/