OPT Jobs in Hawaii
Hawaii's F-1 OPT sponsorship opportunities are concentrated in tourism and hospitality, healthcare, technology, and research sectors across Honolulu and the broader Oahu corridor. The University of Hawaii system and federal research institutions create steady demand for international graduates in science, engineering, and business roles.
Find F-1 OPT Jobs in HawaiiOverview
Showing 5 of 443+ OPT Jobs in Hawaii


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all 443+ OPT Jobs in Hawaii
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Jobs in Hawaii.
Get Access To All Jobs
Compensation Type
Highgate Hotels
Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $15 billion of assets under management and a global portfolio of more than 400 hotels spanning North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
With a 30-year track record as an innovator in the hospitality industry, this forward-thinking company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate continues to demonstrate success in developing a diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts, featuring contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value.
With an executive team of seasoned hospitality leaders and corporate offices worldwide, Highgate is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. www.highgate.com
Overview
The General Manager is responsible for continually focusing on achieving hotel profitability through revenue generation, cost control, guest satisfaction and developing employees, while maintaining the integrity of the hotel.
Responsibilities
- Tour the operating departments daily, making adjustments as needed via department heads.
- Conduct weekly staff meetings, including weekly training sessions presented by managers and self using the steps to effective training according to Highgate Hotel standards, and the review of previous and future sales and operations efforts.
- Meet all financial review dates and corporate directed programs in a timely fashion.
- Hold a monthly financial review with all department managers, M.I.D.'s and available supervisors.
- Ensure that all department heads maintain budgeted productivity levels and Highgate Hotel standard checkbook accounting procedures.
- Develop managers for future advancement through competency training and corporate sponsored training programs.
- In conjunction with the Director of Sales, conduct a daily HHBR meeting focusing on the number of prospecting and existing account calls each person will make and the potential business results of these calls.
- Play a pivotal role in hotel sales efforts, including calling on top ten accounts, meeting clients, hosting luncheons and receptions, and meeting with on-site contacts on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
- Participate in required M.O.D. coverage as scheduled.
- Maintain direct contact with and monitor the development of management trainees.
- Adhere to all Highgate Hotel policies and procedures and train new managers to ensure compliance.
- Oversee and assist in the Highgate Hotel budget process as required.
- Ensure that training in service standards is taking place in each department using the steps to effective training according to Highgate Hotel standards, including compliance in all departments to Highgate Hotel Garden Standard of the Week training.
- Assist in creating a positive team-oriented environment which focuses on the guest, through employee development and motivation.
- Inspect rooms regularly (weekly at a minimum) with both the Housekeeping Manager and Property Engineer.
- Ensure complete processing of invoices daily by using the A/P process.
- Ensure that all appropriate information for financial documents is received by the Corporate Office monthly, in compliance with the monthly accounting calendar.
- Ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of the physical property through inspections and preventive maintenance programs with department managers.
- Ensure that employees are at all times attentive, friendly, courteous and efficient in their interactions with guests, managers and all other employees.
- Forecast monthly the hotel's financial position, by estimating revenues and line-by-line expenses. Analyze previous and projected data to generate an accurate reforecast.
- Prepare and conduct all management interviews and follow hiring procedures according to Highgate Hotel S.O.P.'s. Ensure that all managers are in compliance with the standards in their interviewing and hiring procedures for departmental staff.
- Interview all prospective final candidates for any vacant management position within the hotel prior to any offer being extended.
- Perform all Executive Committee members performance appraisals according to Highgate Hotel S.O.P.’s, and ensure that managers are in compliance with the standards in their administration of performance appraisals to their staff.
- Motivate, coach, counsel and discipline all management personnel according to Highgate Hotel S.O.P.'s and ensure that managers are in compliance with the standards in their administration of counseling and disciplinary steps.
- Perform any other duties as requested by the Vice President or Regional Director of Operations.
- Ensure that all employees receive fair and equitable treatment according to Highgate Hotel S.O.P.'s.
- Meet clients on the property, including meeting contacts and potential clients touring the property, to assist in the sales effort.
- Be in the public areas during peak times, greeting guests and offering assistance as needed.
- Ensure procedures for handling of the hotel safe specifically with regard to security and monthly safe audits are followed and occur.
- Ensure monthly credit meetings are conducted and take an active role in the hotel credit and collection policies.
- Complete required corporate training modules, and become certified to train those as required.
- Ensure that all scheduled meetings take place on the property.
Qualifications
- At least 6 years progressive experience in a hotel or a related field; or a 4-year college degree and at least 4 to 5 years of related experience; or a 2-year college degree and at least 5 to 6 years of related experience.
- Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
- Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
- Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
- Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
- Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
- Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
- Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
- Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
- Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
- Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
- Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
- Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
- Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
- Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
- Perform other duties as requested by management.
Search F-1 OPT Jobs by Industry in Hawaii
Tips for Finding OPT Jobs in Hawaii
Target Hawaii's research institutions
The University of Hawaii system, East-West Center, and federal agencies like NOAA and the Pacific Disaster Center regularly hire international graduates. These institutions are experienced with F-1 OPT paperwork and often have established international hiring processes.
Focus on Honolulu's concentrated employer base
The vast majority of Hawaii's F-1 OPT-sponsoring employers are on Oahu, particularly in downtown Honolulu and the Hawaii Kai corridor. Concentrating your job search there maximizes options, since employer density on neighbor islands is significantly thinner.
Use Migrate Mate to filter by visa type
Finding employers who actively sponsor F-1 OPT in Hawaii requires more than a general job board. Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically by OPT-eligible roles in Hawaii, saving time you'd otherwise spend researching each employer's sponsorship history individually.
Leverage Hawaii's Asia-Pacific business ties
Hawaii serves as a hub for companies with Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia operations. International graduates with relevant language skills and regional knowledge are particularly sought after in finance, logistics, and trade firms operating in this corridor.
Apply early given Hawaii's smaller job market
Hawaii has far fewer employers than mainland metros like New York or San Francisco. Starting your OPT job search three to four months before your authorization start date gives you enough runway to find a role before your 90-day unemployment clock becomes a concern.
Connect with UH Manoa's international career resources
The University of Hawaii at Manoa's career center maintains employer relationships specifically with companies willing to hire on OPT. On-campus recruiting events there tend to attract Hawaii-based employers who already understand F-1 OPT requirements and timelines.
See all 443+ F-1 OPT jobs in Hawaii
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new F-1 OPT jobs in Hawaii.
Get Access To All JobsF-1 OPT Jobs in Hawaii: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Hawaii sponsor the most F-1 OPT visas?
Healthcare and life sciences, tourism and hospitality management, technology, and academic research are the leading F-1 OPT sponsoring industries in Hawaii. Federal agencies and research institutions, particularly those focused on oceanography, environmental science, and Pacific regional studies, also represent a consistent source of OPT-eligible roles for international graduates.
Which cities in Hawaii have the most F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Honolulu accounts for the large majority of F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Hawaii. As the state's economic, government, and healthcare center, Oahu hosts most of the employers experienced with OPT hiring. Limited opportunities exist in Maui and on the Big Island, primarily in hospitality management, healthcare, and environmental research roles.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Hawaii?
Roles in software engineering, data analysis, environmental and marine science, nursing and allied health, hotel and resort management, and financial analysis are common qualifying positions in Hawaii. For STEM OPT extension eligibility, roles must be directly related to your degree field and offered by an E-Verify enrolled employer, which many larger Hawaii employers already are.
How do I find F-1 OPT jobs in Hawaii?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on F-1 OPT, letting you search Hawaii roles filtered by visa type rather than sifting through general job listings. Beyond that, attending University of Hawaii career fairs, connecting with Hawaii-based professional associations, and targeting employers with federal contracts, which require E-Verify enrollment, can surface companies already equipped to hire on OPT.
Are there any Hawaii-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship I should know about?
Hawaii's geographic isolation means the employer pool is considerably smaller than mainland states, so OPT job seekers should start early and cast a wider net across industries. Hawaii also has a high cost of living relative to average salaries, which is worth factoring into role evaluation. The state's strong Asia-Pacific orientation can be an advantage for graduates with relevant regional expertise or language skills.