Manager, Work 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.

Liliʻuokalani Center (LC)
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.

Essential Responsibilities

• 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

Other duties:

• Contribute to the Trustʻs 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

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (Graduate/MBA degree preferred) in field related to workforce/entrepreneurship programming for youth (business, finance, etc.)
• Understanding of Native Hawaiian culture, values, and history, with the ability to integrate these into programming
• Experience with an organization focused on workforce development
• 5 years knowledge and experience with managing youth programs
• 3 or more years managing program staff
• Competency with employable skills software/platforms
• Experience with startup incubator and business development programs
• Deep knowledge of youth development and/or career counseling

Job Competencies

• Collaboration: Ability to interact effectively with youth, community partners, and multi-disciplinary teams. Knowledge of community resources and services
• Ethical Practice: Model the highest level of ethical behavior, integrity, and social responsibility Uphold and embody all LT values
• Communication: Clearly convey and receive information and ideas. Engage the listener and invite response and feedback. Demonstrate strong written, oral, and listening skills
• Cultural Competence: Respect and relate well to people from varied backgrounds and sensitive to group differences. Experience working with at-risk youth and ability to apply positive youth development principles to that work
• Relationship Management: Experience working with staff at all levels in a collaborative environment; ability to promote and sustain positive workplace values and relationships
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under pressure and to remain calm and controlled when faced with challenging situations

Organization Competencies

• Alignment with Queen’s legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani’s story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served.
• Ho'omau i ka 'imi Na'auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
• Ho'ike i na Mana'o Pono (Effective Communication): Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action.
• No'ono'o loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations
• Ho'o kumu a'e or 'Imi hakuhia (Innovation): Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving.
• Pilina Ho'ohana a me ka Hana Hilina'i (Building Relationships and Creating Trust): Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward.
• Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization's objectives.
• Ho'onui I ka 'Ike (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.

Mental and Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift 25lbs pounds.
• Requires frequent sitting, bending, standing, and movement

Terms and Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures.

Job Title: Work Innovation Manager Reports to: Director, ʻŌlino Pathways: Life Readiness
FLSA Status: Exempt Aligned Executive: Executive Director, Liliʻuokalani Center
Kipuka: Liliʻuokalani Center Department: Liliʻuokalani Center – Life Readiness

Liliʻuokalani Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to recruit, train, and retain innovative talent from a diverse candidate pool. All employment decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ancestry, genetic information, citizenship, marital/civil union status, arrest and court record, domestic or sexual violence victim status, credit history, disability or veteran/military status or other applicable legally protected characteristics.