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Economic Development Manager Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

... economic development of Hawaii and/or of the services of the State government. Positions are ... activity management and/or coordination. Minimum Qualification Requirements To qualify, you must ...

Senior Network Engineer

Honolulu, HI

$102K - $140K/yr

... management tools and is responsible for providing high-level installation, configuration ... We are proud to support the economic development and long-term viability of the Chickasaw Nation ...

Cards Product Manager

Honolulu, HI ยท On-site

$75K - $115K/yr

Responsibilities The Product Manager supports the development and execution of the strategy ... Bachelor's degree in business, economics, marketing, related field, or equivalent experience ...

Cards Product Manager

Honolulu, HI ยท On-site

$75K - $115K/yr

Bachelor's degree in business, economics, marketing, related field, or equivalent experience ... Proven success in managing crossfunctional product development, including writing business ...

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Economic Development Manager information

See Hawaii salary details

$32.2K

$107K

$161K

How much do economic development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for economic development manager in Hawaii is $107,034.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,700.00 and $129,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Economic Development Managers?

Economic Development Managers are professionals responsible for planning and implementing strategies to boost economic growth within a community, city, or region. They work with government agencies, businesses, and other stakeholders to attract new investments, support local businesses, and create jobs. Their role often involves analyzing economic data, coordinating development projects, and promoting the area to potential investors. By fostering a healthy business environment, they help improve the overall quality of life for residents.

What are some common challenges Economic Development Managers face when balancing community needs with business interests?

Economic Development Managers often navigate the complex task of balancing the goals of attracting new businesses and investments with the needs and concerns of the local community. Challenges can include addressing potential impacts on housing, infrastructure, and the environment while ensuring job creation and economic growth. Success in this role relies on strong stakeholder engagement, transparent communication, and creative problem-solving to find solutions that benefit both the community and business partners. Collaboration with local government, business leaders, and residents is essential for developing sustainable, mutually beneficial strategies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Economic Development Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Economic Development Manager, you need expertise in economic analysis, project management, and community engagement, typically supported by a degree in economics, urban planning, or public administration. Familiarity with GIS tools, economic modeling software, and grant management systems is often required, along with certifications like CEcD (Certified Economic Developer). Strong networking, negotiation, and communication skills help build effective partnerships and foster stakeholder collaboration. These competencies enable Economic Development Managers to drive sustainable growth, attract investment, and successfully implement development initiatives within communities.

What is the difference between Economic Development Manager vs Urban Planner?

AspectEconomic Development ManagerUrban Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in economics, urban planning, or related field; often certifications in economic developmentBachelor's or master's in urban planning, geography, or related field; licensure may be required
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, economic development organizations, private sectorMunicipalities, government agencies, consulting firms
Employer & Industry UsageFocuses on economic growth, business attraction, and job creationFocuses on land use, zoning, and community development

While both roles aim to improve communities, the Economic Development Manager concentrates on economic growth and business development, whereas the Urban Planner focuses on land use and urban design. Their skills and work environments often overlap, but their core objectives differ.

What are the most commonly searched types of Economic Development jobs in Hawaii? The most popular types of Economic Development jobs in Hawaii are:
What are popular job titles related to Economic Development Manager jobs in Hawaii? For Economic Development Manager jobs in Hawaii, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Associate, Real Estate Strategy (Built Environment)

Associate, Real Estate Strategy (Built Environment)

MKThink

Honolulu, HI โ€ข On-site, Remote

$80K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

About MKThink
MKThink is a future-forward design firm grounded in spatial intelligence and dedicated to "Build Less, Solve More." We work at the intersection of architecture, systems thinking, and strategy-helping institutions make better decisions about space, resources, and long-term impact. Our interdisciplinary team brings together designers, strategists, and analysts to solve complex challenges across workplaces, school districts, universities, and civic organizations.
The Role
We are seeking an Associate, Real Estate Strategy to support our consulting work at the intersection of space, data, and organizational strategy.
This role is suited for early- to mid-career professionals with experience in real estate consulting, planning, or economic development who are ready to take on meaningful responsibility. Candidates should be able to work independently, think critically, and contribute to project work with limited oversight while continuing to grow within MKThink's frameworks.
Rather than focusing on single-asset development or pure financial underwriting, this position centers on shaping portfolio-level strategies, investment priorities, and system-wide decisions that guide how organizations deploy and optimize their real estate assets.
Who This Role Is For
This role is for candidates who:
  • Have a background in real estate, urban planning, development, or a related field with strong analytical capabilities
  • Are motivated to work on complex, mission-driven problems at an institutional scale
  • Are interested in applying real estate thinking at a portfolio or systems level
  • Are curious about how real estate decisions influence organizational performance, financial outcomes, and long-term impact
  • Want to work across disciplines-integrating strategy, analytics, and spatial thinking
  • Are comfortable taking ownership of workstreams and contributing to client-facing deliverables early on

Responsibilities:
Discovery and Problem Definition
  • Contribute to client engagements to define and frame complex challenges related to asset portfolios, performance, and organizational goals
  • Conduct research to build a systems-level understanding of the problem context
  • Help develop guiding principles and success metrics
  • Identify data needs and opportunities to strengthen decision-making

Analysis & Insight Development
  • Collaborate with analysts to analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights, working with large, sometimes incomplete datasets.
  • Conduct real estate portfolio and opportunity analysis, need assessments, and scenario modeling.
  • Develop models to evaluate investment strategies, portfolio optimization, and phasing scenarios.
  • Translate findings into clear implications for real estate portfolio and organizational strategy.
  • Collaborate with planning and design strategists to connect findings with physical outcomes.

Strategy & Recommendations
  • Contribute to the development of portfolio strategies, asset plans, and investment frameworks
  • Support the development of implementation roadmaps and phasing strategies
  • Help define opportunities for consolidation, adaptive reuse, and more efficient use of existing assets
  • Produce clear, well-structured deliverables, including presentations, reports, and strategy documents

Stakeholder Engagement
  • Support interviews, workshops, and client meetings
  • Communicate complex ideas clearly to various stakeholder audiences.

Project & Client Support
  • Support project planning and coordination
  • Develop presentations and deliverables
  • Assist with business development materials

Required Skills and Abilities:
  • Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including financial modeling and data analysis
  • Familiarity with Census and other data sources commonly used in real estate market and needs analyses
  • Ability to synthesize research and translate findings into actionable insights
  • Understanding of real estate fundamentals, including development processes and market dynamics
  • Strong problem-solving and systems thinking capabilities
  • Excellent communication and storytelling across written and verbal formats. Ability to direct visual output for effective storytelling
  • Ability to structure work, manage time effectively, and produce high-quality outputs with limited direction
  • Proficiency with:
  • Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint)
  • Experience with data analysis tools or GIS is a plus
  • Familiarity with Adobe Suite or visualization tools is a plus
  • Experience in project management is a plus

Working with Others:
  • Self-awareness and willingness to continuously improve.
  • Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and seek support when needed.
  • Flexibility in collaborating with teams and clients; able to receive, clarify, and incorporate feedback.
  • Demonstrates kindness and actively supports colleagues.

Interests:
Demonstrated interest in at least one of the following:
  • The role of real estate in supporting organizational or public-sector outcomes
  • The impact of built environment solutions on community strength, human health, environmental resiliency, or learning outcomes.

Education and Experience:
  • Graduate degree preferred in one of the following or similar: Urban Planning, Real Estate Development, Architecture / Business joint degree
  • 3-5 years of relevant professional experience in real estate consulting, economic development, planning, or a related field
  • Interdisciplinary experience bridging real estate, planning, and strategy is a plus.

How to Apply
Applications should include:
  • Cover letter.
  • A single PDF with your resume and work samples demonstrating your fit for the role