Chief Engineer

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the General Manager, the Chief Engineer is a hands-on, strategic leadership position that is responsible for managing the Property Maintenance (Engineering) operations, ensuring that Hotel and regulatory standards are met. This position is required to exercise judgment, set priorities, schedule the Property Maintenance operation to meet the requirements and be in line with budget and labour costs. In addition, this position will be required to work closely with other departments to ensure smooth workflow within the hotel.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The key responsibilities of the Chief Engineer include but are not limited to:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Recommend priorities and strategies for facilities infrastructure, asset management, capital replacement, and renovations.
• Lead long-range planning for capital expenditures, infrastructure upgrades, and equipment end-of-life programs.
• Prepare, manage, and control the annual engineering budget, forecasts, month-end reporting, and financial commentary.
• Lead the planning, design, review, and approval of major renovations, expansions, and new construction projects, including financial analysis.
• Develop and maintain internal engineering and facilities standards, including furnishings, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E).
• Source, evaluate, and manage suppliers and contractors; oversee RFPs, bidding processes, contract negotiation, and administration.

• Implement smart-building and technology solutions to improve operational efficiency and asset performance.

• Responsible for monthly, quarterly and yearly inventories of operational supplies and equipment.

Operational Management

• To oversee all major and minor mechanical systems throughout the hotel, ensuring that systems are fully operational.

• Provide leadership to an Engineering operation supporting guestrooms, public areas, and back-of-house facilities.

• Direct the operation, maintenance, and repair of all building systems, including HVAC, MEP, refrigeration, plumbing, electrical, life safety, and mechanical systems.
• Administer and continuously improve a comprehensive preventive maintenance program for guestrooms, public spaces, and infrastructure.
• Oversee work-order, purchasing, inventory, and purchase order systems to ensure timely service delivery and cost control.
• Coordinate and manage all external contractors (elevators, refrigeration, waste disposal, specialty services, etc.).
• Maintain full knowledge and oversight of back-of-house systems, including power, internet, telephone, and technology infrastructure.
• Ensure the cleanliness, organization, and operational readiness of all engineering work areas.
• Support guest satisfaction by anticipating needs, maintaining positive guest relations, and resolving engineering-related guest concerns promptly.

People Leadership & Training

• Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and develop Engineering colleagues.

• Conduct performance appraisals, coaching, and ongoing technical and safety training.

• Monitors work hours, scheduling and vacation planning of Engineering associates while adhering to budgeted labour costs based on hotel occupancy and work volumes.

• Assign duties, monitor performance, and ensure grooming, conduct, and workmanship meet luxury brand standards.

• Hold regular quarterly Engineering Department Meetings; Responsible for establishing department objectives, policies and procedures, designed to provide service levels which exceed the expectations of both internal departments and guests.

Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship

• Lead and implement environmental stewardship initiatives focused on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and emissions reduction.
• Integrate sustainability practices into all engineering operations.
• Manage sustainability and emissions reporting requirements.

Regulatory, Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with local, national, and international engineering, safety, environmental, building, and fire regulations.

• 24/h day, 7 days a week, a key and critical first response for all emergencies, including but not limited to Fire, flood, electrical or mechanical failures within the building.

• Liaise with regulatory authorities and city officials on building codes, safety, accessibility, and compliance matters.

• Lead life safety systems, fire prevention programs, and emergency preparedness; chair the Emergency Preparedness Committee.
• Enforce health, safety, WHMIS, and Workers' Compensation compliance; investigate incidents and accidents.

• Implement quality assurance and risk management frameworks across all engineering activities.

• Performs other duties within Engineering, as assigned or required,

SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualifications and Technical Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years of leadership experience in Engineering within a luxury hotel, resort, or complex facility.
• Class 4 / Level 4 Power Engineer Certificate (asset).
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or related field) preferred; high school diploma required.
• Proven expertise in HVAC, MEP, refrigeration, life safety systems, energy management, and building automation.
• Experience in preventative maintenance, energy management, fire safety, and health and safety.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale, multi-floor hotel renovations and capital projects.
• In-depth knowledge of occupational health & safety regulations, building/fire codes, and mechanical/electrical standards.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and industry-related maintenance and building management systems.
• Pool operator certification or pool maintenance experience (asset).
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, emergencies, and on-call rotations.
• Physically capable of performing required duties, including lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Previous management experience involving maintenance of Budget, Forecasting, Inventory, & Cost Control, as well as budget preparation, is an asset.
• Proven ability to handle high stress and work under frequent peak period conditions.

Attributes

• Decisiveness- Proven consistency in making sound decisions sometimes in pressurized or time-sensitive environments and service.
• Achievement Oriented– sets standards of excellence for work to be completed and is not deterred by challenges
• Attention to detail - Able to maintain a sustained level of concentration in a high pressured environment ensuring quality of work is consistently delivered by team members.
• Flexibility- Demonstrated ability to be adaptive and accepting of new ideas, and a willingness to approach new challenges and adjusts plans to meet new priorities; able to manage multiple priorities and tasks in the regular course of work.

Skills

• Leadership - Leads by example in behaving in an honest and trustworthy manner; treats others fairly; builds strong and trusting relationships with others; practices open communication.
• Interactive Communication - Adapts content, style, tone and medium of communication to suit the target audience's language and level of understanding; takes others' perspectives into account when communicating or presenting information; facilitates open communication and information exchange.
• Planning and Organizing – Possess the ability to plan and organize self and others to ensure timely completion of tasks within the time frame required; communicates and monitors priorities effectively.
• Resource Management – Monitors and ensures the efficient and appropriate use of resources, ensuring controls are in line with budget and forecast, whether human, financial, or material.
• Team Building- Promotes team achievement, contributes to the development and success of department objectives; supports and encourages team members; is respectful, actively listens to and seeks out opinions and ideas from the team.
• Developing Others - Supports individual development and improvement by providing effective performance feedback and support, reinforcing strengths and identifying areas for improvement and ways to improve performance and competence; encourages staff to develop and apply their skills; provides positive comments regarding others' abilities or potential even in difficult cases; creates mentoring opportunities.
• Conflict Management -Defuses difficult situations by being assertive; facilitates discussions between parties to explore differences and help find common ground; uses tactful approach to work with others to identify solutions to emerging conflicts and or issues.

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