Director of Engineering

Job Description

Department

Reports To

The Manner Hotel is seeking a hands-on, experienced Director of Engineering to lead all engineering and maintenance operations at our property. This role is responsible for maintaining the hotel’s physical assets, managing the R&M budget, ensuring life safety compliance, and leading the engineering team in delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Interview, train, schedule, coach, and support engineering associates in alignment with brand standards and core values.
• Manage the hotel’s Repair & Maintenance (R&M) budget.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs, work orders, and room inspections.
• Test and maintain all life safety systems to ensure 100% compliance.
• Manage vendors, bids, contracts, and small capital projects/PIPs.
• Perform hands-on repairs including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, drywall, painting, and kitchen equipment troubleshooting.
• Maintain building exterior and curb appeal.
• Ensure all work complies with NYC building codes, OSHA standards, and local/state/federal regulations.
• Provide weekly updates to Corporate/Regional Director of Engineering.

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, interview, hire, and onboard engineering associates.
• Develop team schedules to ensure 24/7 property coverage while managing labor costs effectively.
• Train, mentor, coach, and evaluate team members in alignment with brand standards
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, responsiveness, and service excellence.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and implement corrective action plans when necessary.
• Promote a safe and respectful work environment in compliance with company policies.

Financial & Asset Management

• Develop and manage the annual Repair & Maintenance (R&M) budget.
• Monitor departmental expenses, control costs, and identify efficiencies without compromising quality.
• Review financial statements and provide variance explanations as needed.
• Participate in annual capital planning and long-term asset preservation strategies.
• Oversee small capital improvement projects and Property Improvement Plans (PIPs).
• Solicit bids, negotiate contracts, and manage vendor relationships to ensure quality and cost effectiveness.

Vendor & Project Management

• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with external contractors and service providers.
• Evaluate vendor performance and ensure contract compliance.
• Oversee project timelines, budgets, and quality control for capital improvements and system upgrades.
• Coordinate work to minimize operational disruption and guest impact.

Communication & Collaboration

• Provide weekly operational updates to the Corporate/Regional Director of Engineering.
• Partner with Housekeeping, Front Office, Food & Beverage, and other departments to ensure seamless operations.
• Participate in executive leadership meetings and contribute to strategic planning initiatives.
• Maintain clear communication regarding major repairs, outages, and projects.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of hotel engineering/maintenance leadership experience required.
• Strong working knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems.
• FLSD (Fire & Life Safety Director) Certification – Preferred.
• Relevant technical certifications preferred (EPA, HVAC, etc.).
• Experience managing budgets, vendors, and capital projects.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

Work Schedule

• Must be flexible to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
• On-call availability required for emergencies