Assistant Chief Engineer at Hilton Worldwide

JOB DESCRIPTION

• The Assistant Chief Engineer is responsible for supporting the Chief Engineer in overseeing the entire hotel's maintenance operations, including the physical building structure, plant and equipment (FF&E), and all related systems. The position requires maintaining open lines of communication with hotel management and owners to ensure that maintenance strategies align with operational goals and long-term property value. 
•  The Assistant Chief Engineer is also responsible for ensuring that all legal and regulatory requirements are fully complied with and that departmental budgetary goals are met. Additionally, the role requires overseeing hotel guests' and employees' safety and security, particularly concerning Fire & Life Safety, Security, and Emergency Evacuation protocols, while providing strategic insights to management on improving safety standards.
•  In the absence of the Chief Engineer, the Assistant Chief Engineer will take full responsibility for the department, making decisions on operational issues and communicating the outcomes to the hotel's leadership and ownership to ensure that service delivery remains seamless.

What will I be doing?

• Specifically, you will be responsible for performing the following tasks to the highest standards:

Strategic Management and Communication:

• In the absence of the Chief Engineer, the assistant chief engineer acts as a liaison between the Engineering department and hotel management/owners, presenting maintenance updates, capital expenditure proposals, and energy conservation strategies.
• Participate in high-level management meetings, providing clear reports and recommendations on maintenance issues, energy management, and sustainability initiatives.
• Ensure all communication with management and owners is clear, professional, and focused on operational efficiency and financial return on investment.

Budget and Financial Management:

• Support the Chief Engineer in preparing and managing the engineering department’s budget, ensuring alignment with the hotel's financial goals.
• Provide regular reports on the financial performance of the engineering department, including cost savings from energy conservation measures and preventative maintenance programs.
• Work closely with the hotel’s financial and procurement teams to optimize resource usage and control expenses related to repairs, maintenance, and capital projects.

Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead and inspire the engineering team to ensure they are highly motivated, skilled, and aligned with the overall goals of the hotel.
• Provide strategic guidance on staffing, training, and development initiatives to ensure the team is well-prepared to handle the evolving needs of the hotel.
• Take charge of the department in the absence of the Chief Engineer, acting as the key decision-maker and ensuring other department heads and management are kept informed on all critical issues.

Owner and Guest Relations:

• Regularly interact with hotel owners, offering technical insights into long-term maintenance plans and upgrades to improve guest experience and increase property value.
• Work with management to integrate guest feedback into maintenance priorities, ensuring any technical issues are resolved promptly while maintaining high satisfaction levels.
• Present potential cost-saving measures or operational efficiencies that benefit both guests and owners in terms of improved service delivery and reduced operating costs.

What are we looking for?

To successfully fill this role, you should maintain the attitude, behaviours, skills, and values that follow:

Professional Demeanor and Conduct:

• Highly professional in appearance, character, and conduct, capable of representing the Engineering Department in interactions with owners, senior management, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate technical information in a way that is understandable and actionable for non-technical stakeholders, such as hotel management and owners.

Specific Requirement:

• Engineering Bachelor’s Degree (Electromechanical, HVAC preferred or Facility management) with 5 to 10 years of relevant managerial experience, preferably in a hotel environment.
•  Previous work experience in a foreign country and knowledge of diverse cultural and business practices will be an added advantage.
• A keen understanding of building laws, engineering standards, and regulatory requirements to advise hotel management and owners on compliance and risk mitigation.
• Ability to contribute to strategic planning by suggesting improvements and new processes that benefit overall hotel performance, costs, and guest satisfaction.

Technical Knowledge with Management Emphasis:

• Extensive knowledge of HVAC, mechanical equipment, MEP systems, and preventive maintenance, combined with the ability to communicate the importance of these systems to management and owners in terms of long-term cost savings and energy efficiency.
• Experience in managing energy conservation programs, with the ability to present data-driven insights to owners and senior management to support decision-making on investments in sustainability and efficiency.
• Ability to create and present comprehensive reports on the status of equipment, including potential future issues and recommendations for capital investments, to ensure optimal guest experience and property value protection.

Management-Specific Focus Areas:

• Risk Management and Safety: Collaborate with senior management to ensure all Fire & Life Safety, Evacuation, and Security protocols meet both local legislation and corporate standards. Regularly update the hotel owners and management on any risks and proposed mitigations.
• Technology and Innovation: Stay updated on new technologies that could benefit the hotel’s operational efficiency. Present innovative solutions to hotel management and owners to improve maintenance processes, guest satisfaction, and cost control.
• Customer-Oriented Decision Making: Ensure all engineering decisions are made with a focus on enhancing guest experience while maintaining operational efficiency and controlling costs. Communicate the benefits of these decisions to hotel management and owners to reinforce their long-term value.