Public Policy Lead

Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network (HCAN) is hiring a Public Policy Lead with a focus on Education and Early Childhood. This person serves as a core member of our public policy and legislative team and is an experienced community leader grounded in anti-oppression principles and committed to systemic change alongside parents and families in Hawaiʻi.

Under the supervision of the Executive Director or their assignee, Public Policy Leads co-create advocacy agendas directly with families (e.g., ʻOhana Leadership Council) and community partners (e.g., Hawaiʻi Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance, Hawaiʻi Children's Policy Agenda), share decision-making power, and build collective grassroots momentum. Public Policy Leads collaboratively manage a portfolio of policy work, including, but not limited to, overseeing assigned parts of HCAN's public policy agenda development process, forming and leading coalitions, conducting training, and executing campaigns that advance HCAN's priorities.

This is an exempt, full-time position that reports to HCAN's Executive Director or assignee.

• Works with the Executive Director or their assignee to research, develop, and execute policy plans, campaigns, and initiatives.
• Under the guidance of the Executive Director, coordinates, monitors, and documents day-to-day operational progress for an assigned portfolio.
• Represents HCAN at meetings, community events, and on state and community work groups, task forces, and commissions, on an as-needed basis.
• Supports the Research and Evaluation unit to transform HCAN into a teaching/learning organization.
• Ensures that placed students (interns, fellows, practicum students) are integrated into policy and programmatic efforts.
• Keeps the executive director and other relevant HCAN staff informed of policy activities and outcomes.
• Leads complex policy research and analysis to interpret statutes, regulations, budget structures, and data, producing actionable insights that guide organizational strategy.
• Facilitates participatory meetings, workshops, and training to gather diverse insights.
• Creates and/or coordinates the development of reports, guides, scorecards, issue briefs, testimony, and special reports.
• Researches proposed legislation, ordinances, agency rules, and regulations.
• Responds to requests for information on a broad range of issues related to child and family well-being, education, and early learning.
• Builds, coordinates, and manages a portfolio of coalitions on children’s issues. Plans and facilitates participatory coalition meetings, as needed.
• Works closely with the Family Engagement Team to build and support a continuum of family and community participation in coalitions.
• Engages with state policy partners. Serves as an information hub by monitoring and keeping HCAN leadership informed and up-to-date on national-level work and opportunities in their portfolio area. Supports other policy staff in this area at the state level.
• Delivers updates and conducts training on policy priorities/implications and legislative processes for staff and stakeholders, on an as-needed basis.
• Works closely with the Executive Director and Operations and Development Director/team to prospect and develop new funding sources, complete reporting and compliance requirements, support donor/member relations, and maintain effective relationships.
• Other functions as assigned.

Public Policy Leads play a critical role in supporting HCAN's mission by bringing strong relationship development skills, management expertise, a passion for developing and supporting teams, and the ability to lead strategic planning, program oversight, and fiscal management.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented, dynamic environment and is a…