Executive Director

Inkinen Executive Search; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hawaiʻi Business Roundtable (HBR) is a statewide public policy organization comprising Hawaiʻi’s leading CEOs and senior executives, united to advance the state’s economic vitality and social well‑being. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership for HBR’s mission, policy priorities, member engagement, external affairs, communications, programs, and operations.

The successful candidate will elevate HBR’s engagement with policymakers, engage diverse stakeholders, translate

Qualifications

• Experience leading a large membership organization.
• Strong policy advocacy background and public affairs acumen.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for HBR’s mission, priorities and operations.
• Oversee external affairs, communications and member engagement.
• Align resources and programs to deliver meaningful state outcomes.
• Engage policymakers, CEOs and community leaders to shape policy.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Public policy

Coalition-building

Stakeholder engagement

Governance

Job description

The Executive Director is an influential and collaborative executive with experience in government affairs, public policy, and coalition-building, a strong background in Hawaiʻi's business and civic landscape, and the executive presence to engage CEOs, policymakers, and community leaders.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Hawaiʻi Business Roundtable (HBR) is a statewide public policy organization comprised of Hawaiʻi’s leading CEOs and senior executives, united by a commitment to advancing the state’s economic vitality and social well-being. HBR brings together leaders across industries to focus their collective expertise and influence on issues of significance to Hawaiʻi, serving as a forum for informed discussion and working in partnership with government, business, education, research, and community organizations to advance meaningful solutions.

HBR’s work is focused on several issues critical to Hawaiʻi’s future, including education and workforce development, housing availability, economic innovation, tourism, and military affairs. Through its membership, policy engagement, economic forums, research partnerships, and relationships across the public and private sectors, HBR provides a unique platform for business leaders to help shape the conversations and decisions that will influence Hawaiʻi’s long-term prosperity.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead one of Hawaiʻi’s most prominent business leadership organizations at a pivotal time for the state. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with an exceptional network of CEOs and senior executives, the Executive Director will provide strategic leadership for HBR’s mission, policy priorities, member engagement, external affairs, communications, programs, and operations.

The next Executive Director will be responsible for maximizing the collective influence of HBR’s membership, turning the insight, relationships, and expertise of its leaders into a focused strategy and a stronger voice on the issues that matter most to Hawaiʻi. The leader will set priorities with the Board, engage members around a common agenda, and ensure that HBR’s resources and activities are aligned toward meaningful outcomes. This will require a sophisticated understanding of when and where HBR can have the greatest impact, as well as the ability to move the organization from ideas and dialogue to action.

A significant opportunity for the incoming leader will be to elevate HBR’s engagement with policymakers and government leaders. The Executive Director will strengthen relationships across the public sector, anticipate emerging issues, and position HBR to contribute constructively and credibly to policy discussions before decisions are made. The role will require a leader who can navigate complex political and stakeholder environments while maintaining HBR’s reputation for thoughtful, fact-based, and solutions-oriented engagement.

The ideal candidate will bring a sophisticated understanding of Hawaiʻi’s business, economic, political, and civic landscape, together with a demonstrated ability to build trust and influence among senior leaders and diverse stakeholders. Experience in public policy, government affairs, economic development, business leadership, public affairs, or similarly complex environments will be highly valued. The ideal candidate will bring an appreciation for Hawaii's unique economic landscape, some knowledge of the hospitality industry and military-community relationships, and the ability to engage effectively with leaders across the business, government, military, education, and nonprofit sectors. HBR seeks a leader with executive presence, intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, exceptional communication and facilitation skills, and the ability to listen, build consensus, and translate ideas into action.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic, entrepreneurial, and highly relational leader to work alongside some of Hawaiʻi’s most accomplished executives and play a consequential role in shaping the state’s future. The successful candidate will bring energy, initiative, integrity, and a strong sense of accountability, while serving as a thoughtful steward of HBR’s reputation and influence. Above all, the Executive Director will be motivated by the opportunity to advance the economic vitality and social well-being of Hawaiʻi and help shape a stronger future for its people and communities.