Director of Engineering

About the role

The Director of Engineering will lead the technical hand‑over, testing, commissioning and long‑term preservation of a luxury Kempinski property in Manama. Acting as the primary technical liaison during pre‑opening, you will ensure all MEP, HVAC, life‑safety and high‑spec amenities meet Kempinski standards, local regulations and sustainability goals.

Key responsibilities

• Represent the operator in site inspections, snagging, testing and commissioning of MEP equipment, elevators and life‑safety infrastructure.
• Review drawings, O&M manuals, warranties and as‑built plans before property acceptance.
• Build and lead the engineering department, recruiting shift engineers, technicians and specialised craftsmen.
• Develop SOPs, emergency response workflows and preventive maintenance programmes for all guest and back‑of‑house areas.
• Prepare and manage the engineering budget, CapEx plan and utility consumption models.
• Monitor energy, water and fuel usage, driving energy‑saving and carbon‑reduction initiatives.
• Negotiate and oversee third‑party service contracts for chillers, fire‑suppression, elevators, pool maintenance and high‑voltage systems.
• Serve as the lead authority on fire, life and safety systems, ensuring audit readiness and municipal certification.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in hotel or luxury property engineering.
• Strong knowledge of local building codes, municipal regulations and corporate sustainability standards.
• Ability to build teams from scratch and implement CMMS/PMMS solutions.
• Excellent project management and stakeholder coordination skills.

Required skills

• MEP systems
• HVAC design and operation
• Life safety and fire protection systems
• CMMS / PMMS implementation
• Energy management and sustainability compliance
• Elevator and vertical transportation systems