Director of Engineering

Company Description

Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Riyadh

Job Description

To lead, direct, and oversee all engineering, maintenance, and asset-management operations for the hotel and residences. The Director of Engineering ensures the seamless and efficient operation of all building services, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) infrastructure, life safety systems, and guest touchpoints. As a key member of the Executive Committee, the role is responsible for driving preventive maintenance programs, energy efficiency, sustainability initiatives (ESG goals), Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) planning, and strict compliance with Saudi Arabian statutory regulations and Accor brand standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Operations & Maintenance

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the engineering department to guarantee zero disruption to hotel guests, residents, and back-of-house operations.

• Manage and maintain all plant and equipment at optimum efficiency, including HVAC systems, chilled water circulation, boilers, electrical distribution, plumbing, fire protection systems, and building management systems (BMS).

• Drive a robust Preventive Maintenance (PM) program across all guest rooms, public areas, and back-of-house facilities to preserve asset lifecycle value.

• Ensure rapid response times and efficient resolution to maintenance requests logged by Front Office, Housekeeping, F&B, and guests.

2. Health, Safety, Security & Statutory Compliance

• Ensure 100% compliance with local Saudi municipal regulations, Civil Defense codes, health standards, and Accor Fire, Life & Safety (FLS) guidelines.

• Lead the hotel’s emergency response procedures, safety drills, and crisis management protocols in coordination with Security and hotel leadership.

• Oversee regular inspections of safety equipment, emergency lighting, water treatment (including legionella control and chemical testing logs), and elevators.

3. Financial Management & Budgeting

• Prepare, manage, and control the annual departmental operating budget, monitoring expenses related to maintenance contracts, spare parts, utilities, and manpower.

• Implement strict inventory control for engineering supplies, tools, and replacement parts.

• Forecast, monitor, and optimize utility consumption (Electricity, Water, and Gas) to drive cost-saving initiatives and operational efficiency.

4. Capital Projects & Asset Lifecycle Management

• Develop, propose, and manage the annual Engineering CAPEX plan and long-term asset preservation strategies in close collaboration with the General Manager and Property Ownership.

• Oversee hotel renovations, refurbishment projects, and technical upgrades—managing contractors, timelines, budgets, and quality standards while minimizing guest impact.

• Act as the primary technical liaison between the hotel, asset owners, external consultants, contractors, and corporate engineering teams.

5. Sustainability & Energy Management (ESG)

• Champion Accor’s environmental and sustainability commitments (such as carbon reduction and water conservation targets).

• Evaluate green technology investments and spearhead property-level initiatives aligned with corporate ESG objectives.

6. Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the engineering team, fostering a proactive, solution-oriented, and high-performance culture.

• Conduct performance appraisals, identify technical training needs, and ensure team members possess required professional certifications.

• Foster cross-departmental collaboration, particularly with Housekeeping, F&B, and Front Office, maintaining open and transparent communication.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Guest Satisfaction Scores (GSS) regarding room maintenance and environmental comfort.

• Energy and utility consumption variance against budget and historical benchmarks.

• Execution rate of the Preventive Maintenance (PM) schedule.

• CAPEX project delivery on time and within budget.

• Audit scores for Fire, Life, Safety (FLS), and Accor Brand Standards compliance.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering (or equivalent technical certification).

• Experience: Minimum of 8–10 years of engineering experience in international upscale or luxury hotel operations, with at least 3–5 years successfully serving in a Chief Engineer or Director of Engineering capacity.

• Technical Skills:

• In-depth expertise in MEP systems, HVAC, BMS, and hotel plant operations.

• Strong project management capabilities and financial acumen (CAPEX/OPEX budgeting).

• Proficiency in Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and MS Office.

• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with Saudi Arabian building codes, municipal regulations, and international safety frameworks.

• Soft Skills: Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and crisis-handling skills.

• Language Requirements: Professional fluency in English; proficiency in Arabic is highly preferred and advantageous for local statutory liaisons.