Director of Engineering

Direct Reporting: General Manager

Scope and General Purpose of Job:

To ensure the efficient and economic operation of the Engineering Department in support of all other operating Departments, supplying services as required to the entire operation, and maintaining equipment, building, and grounds in optimum condition.

Main Duties:

Administration

• To be fully in charge and responsible for the smooth function of the department’s administration, including the maintenance of an efficient filing system.
• To make sure that all documents related to the operation of the department are being kept up to date and that all records are correctly maintained and filed, including the applicable code compliance certificates and local authority inspection reports for the property and its systems.
• To assume full responsibility for the preparation and timely submittal of all reports.
• To create and maintain a comprehensive library of manuals and parts list of all operational equipment, as well as a complete set of up to date drawings of all areas and systems.
• To ensure that the Engineering activities are aligned with the Engineering Strategy, and that required actions have been implemented where appropriate.
• To represent the Engineering function on the hotel’s Executive Committee.
• To fully understand, implement and work in accordance with AHG Operation Standards Manuals.
• To conduct regular departmental communications meetings and ensure that departmental briefings and meetings are effective and conducted as necessary.

Customer Service

• To ensure that all employees deliver the brand promise and provide exceptional guest service at all times.
• To ensure that employees provide excellent service to internal customers in other departments as appropriate.
• To handle all guest and internal customer complaints and inquiries in a courteous and efficient manner, following through to make sure problems are resolved satisfactorily.

Financial

• To assume full responsibility for the cost-effective operation of the Engineering Department.
• To prepare the annual and revised Engineering budgets in close cooperation with the Head of Finance, relevant to the operational requirements of the property.
• To keep accurate records and monitor closely all Engineering budget expenditures.
• To proactively manage costs based on key performance indicators while still delivering the brand promise to the guest.
• To allocate and countersign all invoices chargeable to the Engineering budget before they are processed and charged.
• To establish an efficient system for the control and verification of all fuel deliveries to the premises.
• To establish an efficient system for the control and verification of all utilities delivered to and consumed in the property.
• To maximise employee productivity through the use of multi-skilling, multi-tasking and flexible scheduling to meet the financial goals of the business as well as the expectations of the guests.
• To strategically analyse business performance to facilitate accurate and meaningful forecasting.
• To ensure that all hotel, company and local rules, policies and regulations relating to financial record keeping, money handling and licensing are adhered to, including the timely and accurate reporting of financial information.

Operational

• To supervise closely all Engineering personnel in the performance of their duties, check timelines required to complete their assigned work and delegate duties and responsibilities, as required.
• To develop and implement a comprehensive preventive maintenance programme for all equipment in the hotel, including kitchen and laundry.
• To coordinate and, if so requested, supervise special projects and employment of outside contractors.
• To establish a well organised Engineering store and closely control inventory.
• To implement a comprehensive elevator emergency procedure and initiate employee training on emergency release procedures with the elevator manufacturer’s agent.
• To inspect, at least twice monthly, the entire building with particular attention to defective or deficient life safety features and to observe closely the condition of all operating equipment.  Specific attention must be given to areas of difficult access.
• To work closely with the Head of Security in preparation and implementation of an Emergency Response Plan and the operation and maintenance of all life safety and security systems.
• To advise the General Manager of potential improvements to the operation.
• To work with purchasing department for the most economic purchase of parts and consumables and to write clear and concise purchase requests for each item.
• To conduct training courses for hotel personnel in life safety and firefighting, in conjunction with the Safety department.
• To control and monitor closely all utility consumption, to ensure optimum energy usage by all departments in the Hotel, notifying the General Manager of areas of utility wastage that could be reduced/eliminated.
• Utilities consumption Analysis format provided by AHG has to be followed for reporting. Provide conclusion and recommendations on variance.
• To establish, control and monitor closely all environmental awareness and protection programmes, to ensure adherence by all departments in the Hotel, notifying the General Manager of areas that need improvement in environmentally responsible practices.
• To ensure that the property, its systems and the operational procedures comply with all the prevailing local and national codes, notifying the General Manager of areas of non-compliance, if any.
• To maximise the energy efficiency of all equipment, notifying the General Manager of energy-inefficient equipment that should be replaced.
• To assume full charge of building maintenance and guestroom and public area renovations.
• To establish a regular planned guestroom servicing programme.
• To supervise the maintenance of gardens and grounds, including road surfaces.
• To be fully responsible for the implementation of all company life safety procedures.
• To assume overall responsibility for the functioning of all alarm systems and firefighting equipment.
• To work closely with other Executive Committee members in a supportive and flexible manner, focusing on the overall success of the hotel and the satisfaction of hotel guests.
• To make sure that Engineering employees work in a supportive and flexible manner with other departments.

Personnel

• To oversee and assist in the recruitment and selection of all Engineering employees.
• To oversee the punctuality and appearance of all Engineering employees, making sure that they wear the correct uniform and maintain a high standard of personal appearance and hygiene, according to the hotel and department’s grooming standards.
• To maximise the effectiveness of employees by developing each of their skills and abilities through the appropriate training, coaching, and/or mentoring.
• To conduct bi-annual Performance Development Discussions with employees and to support them in their professional development goals.
• To encourage employees to be creative and innovative, challenging and recognising them for their contribution to the success of the operation.
• To ensure that all employees have a complete understanding of and adhere to employee rules and regulations.
• To ensure that employees follow all hotel, company and local rules, policies and regulations relating to fire and hazard safety, and security.
• To feedback the results of the Engagement Survey and to ensure that the relevant actions are taken and implemented.