OVERVIEW
The Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities (HCH) is seeking its next Executive Director to help guide the organization through its next chapter. HCHʻs mission is to enrich lives, broaden perspectives, and strengthen communities through the public humanities. At its core, HCH advances the public humanities to support civic learning, dialogue, and shared understanding across Hawaiʻi.
HCH accomplishes this work through programs, partnerships, and public engagement across the state, including Hawaiʻi History Day, the Hawaiʻi Poet Laureate program, and a range of collaborative initiatives with community partners. Through this work, HCH brings the humanities into civic life, fostering deeper understanding of our shared histories and experiences and strengthening relationships across communities.
HCH is in a period of transition and change. Changes in funding, shifts in the humanities landscape, and recent organizational restructuring have created both challenges and new possibilities. The next Executive Director will work with staff, the Board, and partners across the state and beyond to help shape the organization’s future—providing clear direction, ensuring effective operations, deepening impact, and supporting long-term sustainability, including strengthening HCH’s role within Hawaiʻi’s broader humanities ecosystem.
THE ROLE
The Executive Director serves as the organization’s lead steward and public representative, working in close partnership with the Board of Directors and staff. A full job description may be viewed here.
The role includes:
- Guiding the organization’s direction, priorities, and strategy
- Leading fundraising and resource development, including building diverse revenue streams
- Supporting staff and organizational culture
- Building partnerships across Hawaiʻi
- Representing HCH publicly and advancing the role of the humanities
- Ensuring effective organizational operations and long-term sustainability
- Translating strategy into action through programs, partnerships, and organizational systems
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
HCH is seeking a leader who:
- Can guide an organization through a period of transition and change with clarity and direction
- Builds trust and works collaboratively with staff, Board members, and partners
- Has demonstrated experience in fundraising and developing diverse revenue streams
- Communicates clearly and effectively with a wide range of audiences
- Understands and values Hawaiʻi’s communities, cultures, and histories
- Is committed to the role of the humanities in civic life
- Can lead effectively through complexity, change, and organizational transition
- Can lead, support, and develop a team while maintaining strong organizational systems
- Can build and sustain relationships across Hawai‘i’s public humanities ecosystem
(See full list of desired leadership competencies for additional detail.)
We recognize that candidates may bring different combinations of experience and strengths, and encourage individuals who are excited about this role and mission to apply. The search committee will consider overall alignment with the organization’s priorities and leadership needs.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
$90,000 - $120,000. Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, health and dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, long-term disability and life-insurance plan.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following materials using the form below by June 15, 2026:
- Cover letter
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Materials should include relevant experience aligned with the leadership competencies
HCH anticipates beginning interviews in June and July and aims to have the position filled by mid-to-late July.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace that reflects the diverse communities of Hawaiʻi. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.