Strategic Communications Writer

HCF's Collaboration Philosophy

At the Hawai'i Community Foundation (HCF), we believe that an organization's team as a "whole is greater than the sum of its parts" (Aristotle). To us, this means that we are committed to be a collaborative 'ohana (family) that lives and actionizes our mission, respects and cares for each other, and innovates and learns together. We understand that we must rely upon all of our individual strengths as we partner to provide excellent value and achieve effective results for our generous donors, community partners, and all of Hawai'i's people.

Position Summary

Like all HCF team members and volunteers, the Strategic Communications Writer exudes the heart and passion for HCF's mission: to inspire the spirit of giving and invest in people and solutions to benefit our community. The Writer leads the development of clear, compelling, and mission-aligned written content that elevates organizational storytelling and advances engagement efforts. This role shapes narrative voice, translates complex programmatic work into accessible language, and produces high-quality content across digital and print platforms.

The Writer collaborates closely with communications, grantmaking, development, and leadership teams to ensure consistency and excellence in editorial standards.

Essential Position Responsibilities

Key responsibilities fall within the following areas of focus.

Lead Writer

• Translate organizational strategy into clear messaging frameworks and communications plans.
• Serve as a lead writer and editor for high-visibility communications, including key organizational announcements, executive communication, campaign content, and strategic narratives. Support leadership with speech writing and key messaging.
• Serve as lead writer for organizational storytelling across digital and print.
• Develop and maintain narrative voice and editorial standards.
• Write and edit content including reports, speeches, op-eds, web content, donor materials, and campaigns. Edit and provide quality control for content produced by others.
• Translate complex or technical information into clear, compelling, and audience centered language.
• Collaborate with creative and communications staff to align written and visual storytelling.
• Collaborate closely with creative, programs, development, and executive leadership teams to ensure coordinated messaging and cohesive storytelling.
• Synthesize and convey HCF's perspective and branding consistently across all platforms.

Content Creation

• Produce original content and/or edit communication materials provided by HCF staff, partners, or contractors for target audiences.
• Write issue-based, action-oriented story telling across multiple platforms including print, digital, social, video/multimedia production, and photojournalism.
• Assist with concepting, updating, and writing editorial content for the web site, implement search engine optimization (SEO) accordingly.
• Support crisis communications and sensitive issues management as needed.
• Motivate top performance and accountability through shared, and clear communication of collaborative goals and objectives.

Other Responsibilities

• Motivate top performance and accountability through shared, and clear communication of goals and objectives.
• Partner collaboratively with other staff members to ensure effective outcomes.
• Serve as a knowledgeable and collaborative representative of HCF in the community.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Position Requirements

HCF believes in ensuring that our team members are capable of thriving in their positions. Accordingly, the Strategic Communications Writer must possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, and education:

REQUIRED

• 5+ years of experience in journalism, nonprofit, or strategic communications.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and narrative development skills.
• Strong ability to translate complex topics into accessible, compelling narratives.
• Experience writing for executives and on diverse platforms.
• Excellent editing and quality-assurance skills.
• Familiarity with AP Style or similar editorial standards.
• Strong understanding of digital communications and analytics.
• Ability to manage time effectively meeting multiple deadlines and produce polished work with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Highly proficient computer skills in Microsoft Word, Internet research, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Exceptional interpersonal skills include the ability to communicate effectively with varied constituents including government officials, business and nonprofit leaders, and donors.
• Ability to be extremely discrete in working with or having knowledge of sensitive or confidential information related to client and donor information, relationships, and funds

Alignment to culture and values

• Thorough knowledge, sensitivity, and understanding of the history and complexities of Hawai'i's multicultural community as well as current events and social issues.
• Demonstrated passion for the betterment of Hawai'i and its people.
• Capable of thriving in a highly collaborative and flexible organization with an appreciation and respect for colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives and an enthusiasm to continually shift and evolve to meet the needs of the community, clients, and donors.

Work Environment, Physical, and Mental Demands

• Works under regular in-office conditions with the ability to work remotely.
• General office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Required to travel as needed.
• Ability to multi-task, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines often in tight time frames.
• Ability to operate general office equipment including computer, copier, printers, fax machine, etc.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, up to 25 lbs. of general office material or equipment.

This provides a general description of the common duties performed by a person in this position. It does not include every possible duty an individual in this position may be asked to perform and is not all-encompassing. Positions also may require "other duties as assigned" and such assignments are considered part of this position's assignment. This job description is provided as a general summary and does not constitute a contract for employment and does not in any way alter Hawai`i Community Foundation's employment "at-will" relationship with any employee in this position.