Cluster Director of Engineering

JOB SCOPE

The Cluster Director of Engineering is responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and technical governance for the Engineering function across a portfolio of hotels within the cluster. The role ensures the reliability, safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability of all engineering operations, assets, infrastructure, and building systems while maintaining compliance with company standards, brand requirements, and regulatory obligations.

The role leads engineering strategy, asset management, capital planning, maintenance programs, technical projects, and pre-opening engineering readiness across multiple properties, ensuring operational excellence, cost efficiency, and consistent service delivery. This includes technical services and design review input, MEP and fire life safety commissioning, integrated systems testing, testing, adjusting and balancing, handover and snagging from developers and contractors, defects liability period and warranty management, and the turnover of O&M manuals, asset registers, and related engineering records. Working closely with hotel leadership teams and corporate stakeholders, the Cluster Director of Engineering drives engineering performance, supports business objectives, and ensures that all properties maintain a safe, well-maintained, compliant, and guest-ready environment.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Cluster Engineering Leadership & Governance:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Engineering function across the assigned hotel cluster, ensuring alignment with operational objectives, brand standards, and asset performance goals.
• stablish and maintain engineering governance frameworks, policies, procedures, and performance standards to ensure consistency across all properties.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Engineering leaders and teams across the cluster, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Pre-Opening, Commissioning & Handover Leadership:

• Lead the engineering pre-opening critical path for new-build assets, including technical services coordination, design review input, commissioning readiness, handover planning, and operational mobilization.
• Oversee MEP and fire life safety commissioning, integrated systems testing, testing, adjusting and balancing, snagging, defects liability period tracking, warranty management, and contractor close-out deliverables.
• Ensure timely receipt, validation, and operational handover of O&M manuals, as-built drawings, asset registers, spare parts, warranties, statutory certificates, and engineering documentation.

Engineering Operations & Asset Reliability:

• Oversee the effective operation, maintenance, and lifecycle management of all building systems, utilities, infrastructure, and engineering assets across the cluster.
• Ensure the implementation of preventive and predictive maintenance programs that maximize asset reliability, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction.
• Monitor engineering performance metrics and operational KPIs, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance overall asset performance.

Aquatics & Leisure Plant:

• Provide engineering oversight for aquatic and leisure plant systems, including water treatment, filtration, chemical dosing, recirculation pumps, balance tanks, and associated controls.
• Ensure specialized fire life safety, water hygiene, public health, and operational compliance regimes are implemented for Luxury Hotel - Qiddiya facilities in line with applicable KSA regulatory and public health requirements.
• Coordinate maintenance, testing, inspection, and contractor support for leisure engineering assets to maintain safe, reliable, and guest-ready operations.

Capital Planning & Project Management:

• Lead the development and execution of annual CAPEX plans, engineering budgets, and long-term asset replacement strategies across the cluster.
• Oversee engineering projects, renovations, upgrades, and new initiatives, ensuring delivery within approved budgets, timelines, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and suppliers to ensure successful project execution and compliance with company requirements.

Systems Governance, Technical Standards & Contracts:

• Own CMMS/CAFM governance, engineering asset data, maintenance histories, critical spares, and asset lifecycle records across the cluster.
• Oversee BMS/BAS, GRMS, and integrated building systems to ensure operational reliability, controls effectiveness, reporting accuracy, and alignment with brand engineering standards.
• Manage technical service agreements, FM contracts, vendor performance, utility tariff management, and OS&E/FF&E engineering input during pre-opening and operations.

Financial Management & Cost Optimization:

• Manage engineering operating budgets and capital expenditures across the cluster, ensuring effective cost control and resource utilization.
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives, efficiency improvements, and value engineering opportunities without compromising operational standards or guest experience.
• Monitor procurement activities related to engineering services, equipment, and maintenance contracts to ensure commercial effectiveness and compliance.

Health, Safety, Risk & Compliance:

• Ensure full compliance with all applicable health, safety, environmental, fire life safety, and regulatory requirements across the cluster.
• Lead risk assessments, business continuity planning, and engineering-related compliance initiatives to protect company assets and operations.
• Ensure engineering teams maintain readiness for audits, inspections, certifications, and emergency response procedures.

Sustainability & Energy Management:

• Drive sustainability initiatives and energy management programs across the cluster to improve environmental performance, support corporate ESG objectives, and align with LEED, Green Globe, Mostadam, and other applicable sustainability frameworks.
• Monitor utility consumption, identify conservation opportunities, and implement measures to optimize energy and resource efficiency.
• Promote environmentally responsible engineering practices and ensure compliance with applicable sustainability standards, certification requirements, performance reporting, and energy-efficiency targets.

Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner closely with Operations, Finance, Projects, Procurement, IT, and other corporate functions to support business objectives and operational priorities.
• Provide technical expertise and strategic recommendations to senior leadership on engineering, infrastructure, asset management, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Support hotel leadership teams in resolving complex engineering issues and implementing best practices across the cluster.

Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

SKILLS:

• Strong leadership and people management capabilities.
• Excellent strategic planning and decision-making skills.
• Strong project management and execution skills.
• Financial acumen with the ability to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities across a portfolio environment.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Ability to drive innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• High level of organizational, planning, and change management capability.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline is required; Master’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, CFM, CEM, LEED accreditation, or equivalent are an advantage.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive engineering leadership experience within hospitality, real estate, mixed-use developments, or related industries, including pre-opening and multi-property experience.
• Proven experience managing engineering operations across multiple properties or large-scale assets.
• Strong knowledge of building systems, utilities, maintenance management, asset lifecycle planning, engineering compliance requirements, Saudi Building Code, Saudi Civil Defense and fire life safety requirements, SASO, LEED, Mostadam, and HCIS where applicable.
• Demonstrated experience leading CAPEX projects, engineering budgets, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Experience with aquatic, leisure, or water-park engineering systems, including water treatment, filtration, chemical dosing, and public health compliance regimes, is strongly preferred.