Complex Director of Engineering (Pre-Opening)

About the role

The Complex Director of Engineering (Pre-Opening) will lead all engineering, technical services and facilities management activities for multiple hotels or resorts during the pre‑opening, opening and operational phases. Reporting to the Complex General Manager, you will ensure that all building systems, MEP installations and life‑safety equipment meet brand standards, local regulations and operational requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Lead all engineering activities during hotel development and pre‑opening.
• Represent hotel operations in design reviews and construction meetings.
• Review architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire & life‑safety, kitchen, laundry and HVAC drawings.
• Monitor construction progress, identify operational risks and coordinate snagging, defect inspections and handover processes.
• Ensure contractor punch‑lists are completed before opening and participate in testing and commissioning of building systems.
• Coordinate authority inspections and approvals.
• Develop the engineering department structure for multiple properties, recruit, train and onboard team members.
• Establish SOPs, preventive maintenance programmes and asset‑management strategies.
• Oversee efficient operation of HVAC, electrical distribution, plumbing, fire alarm, fire‑fighting, BMS, ELV, kitchen and laundry equipment, elevators, escalators, swimming pools, water features, boilers, chillers, generators and irrigation systems.

Required profile

• Proven ability to lead engineering teams through hotel pre‑opening projects.
• Experience liaising with owners, project consultants, contractors, designers and hotel operations.
• Capability to develop engineering department structures and implement SOPs and maintenance strategies.

Required skills

• HVAC systems
• Electrical distribution
• Plumbing systems
• Fire alarm and fire‑fighting systems
• Building Management System (BMS)
• ELV (Extra‑Low Voltage) systems
• Kitchen equipment
• Laundry equipment
• Elevators and escalators
• Swimming pool and water‑feature systems
• Boilers and chillers
• Generators
• Irrigation systems