Manager, Innovation

Job Purpose

The Work Innovation Manager is responsible for the design, development and implementation of Native Hawaiian youth-centered programming that supports career readiness, workforce development, and entrepreneurial thinking for participants ages 12–24. Housed at the Liliʻuokalani Center (LC), this role coordinates accessible, relevant, and engaging opportunities that empower youth to explore personal strengths, identify meaningful career and entrepreneurial pathways, and build practical life and business skills.

The manager collaborates with the Life Readiness team, other LC ‘Ōlino Pathways, community partners, and industry professionals to lead practical programming that prepares Kānaka Maoli youth for future success in Hawaiʻi and globally.

The Liliʻuokalani Center programs are designed to engage youth 12 - 24 in the spectrum of adolescent development, providing kamaliʻi spaces, programming, and resources while creating a hub for youth co-development. Core to the LC program framework is the focus on centering Native Hawaiian youth voice around culture and connection in Hawaiʻi while promoting healing for early experiences that have created dissonance, challenge, or trauma.

Events, activities and multi-week programs are designed to support kamaliʻi in deepening their awareness, discovery and understanding of a positive culture, identity, community, and place while progressing through learning and development during their transition to adult roles.

• Partner with Life Readiness Director and team to design a robust suite of creative, innovative programmatic offerings that meet current and future trends in workplace skills
• Work collaboratively with LC and LT leadership to increase program integration, ensuring that wraparound supports are built into all programming to meet individual needs based on education, history, and health
• Hire, train, and manage new and existing teammates, as appropriate.
• Lead teammates by modeling design thinking and creative problem-solving methodologies
• Lead and co-lead workshops and programs as appropriate and necessary
• Manage relevant certification programs according to industry standards and competencies in Hawai’i
• Serve as a point person for all workforce, youth employment, and entrepreneurship partnerships and opportunities
• Engage with state and local organizations focused on workforce development in Hawai’i
• Identify, cultivate, and develop strong programmatic partnerships with local and national service providers, including potential colocation at LC as appropriate
• Monitor internal and external metrics related to strategic plan benchmarks for workforce development
• Lead/Support forums and workshops exploring employment and entrepreneurship in Hawai’i and the Pacific
• Speak publicly about LC programming and assist with outreach and enrollment efforts
• Develop a robust set of program offerings supporting participants in the development of an entrepreneurial mindset and the skills necessary to succeed as an entrepreneur
• Integrate LT’s Youth Advisory Committee, increasing opportunities for youth voice and youth leadership in the Life Readiness Pathway
• Ensure that programming emphasizes global citizenship balanced with deep understanding of Native Hawaiian culture, highlighting opportunities for learning and advancement for participants while also strengthening ties to local communities
• Work collaboratively with Life Readiness Director to ensure appropriate staffing and supervision of all program spaces; provide program coverage as necessary
• Participate in program planning, budget development, program iteration, and course/event evaluation

• Contribute to the Trust’s success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and collaborating as we strive to attain the Trust’s strategic goals
• Provide transportation for organization related business, such as driving staff, beneficiaries and/or families to assigned destinations
• Participate in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development
• Evening and Saturday hours required
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s Degree (Graduate/MBA degree preferred) in field…