Regional Director Engineering Operations, Africa & Indian Ocean (AIO) at Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Position Statement

• Position requires a Director of Engineering Operations with significant hotel engineering, operations & facilities management leadership experience including experience managing multiple units and luxury properties. The position will oversee hotel engineering operations in Africa & Indian Ocean across the current portfolio of operating hotels and pipeline providing leadership and guidance to hotel chief engineers managing the delivery of asset maintenance, ensuring compliance to FLS/local authorities, supporting the development and implementation of comprehensive rolling capital plan for each hotel, overseeing Hilton’s centralized maintenance contracting process, driving value for owners, improving maintenance standards & increasing service levels to ensure consistency, compliance across MEA&T and ensuring guest satisfaction. The role will ensure management and delivery of engineering operations strategy, key strategic priorities, engineering operations programs, maintaining owners’ relationship as well as supporting the sustainability agenda towards Hilton goals.

Position Summary
Key responsibilities

• Undertakes technical and building operational responsibility for the given region overseeing all Hilton Brands.
• Ensures compliance and consistent delivery to local codes, Hilton Processes, Policies & Standards.
• Maintains most cost-effective operational model for each hotel & area.
• Co-ordination and management of projects, CAPEX expenditure, condition surveys and hotel conversions & openings.
• Co-ordinates and assists hotel openings & conversions within Africa & Indian Ocean and other regions as per business needs.
• Provides required assistance to hotels during engineering leaderships’ vacation and other absences as required.
• This position requires extensive travel, and results in periods away from home.
• Supports any other neighbour countries’ hotels if and when required.
• Ensures the hotels follow and delivers on Engineering Operations MEA&T targets and strategies.

Safety, Security & Sustainability

• Ensures the correct implementation of Hilton Fire Life & Safety (FLS) & local jurisdiction testing procedures.
• Ensures the correct implementation of all health and safety, occupational safety, energy control and management directives and that up-to-date records of all test certificates/licenses are kept.
• Maintains contacts with local authorities such as fire department, electricity supply company, health inspectors, etc., to ensure that all requirements are being complied with and that assistance or advice will be readily available whenever required.
• Ensures that hotels report sustainability performance through LightStay.
• Identifies and develop sustainability and energy saving proposals for hotels by using business plans and return on investments.
• Supports hotels in driving energy awareness, utilising energy management systems as appropriate towards Hilton 2030 Travel with Purpose Goals.
• Reviews safety & security strategies and makes recommendations.
• Reviews sustainability plans of hotels on an annual basis and in conjunction with the central engineering operational team develop an annual sustainability strategy for the region.

Maintenance

• Assists hotels to ensure the efficient operation & maintenance of all mechanical, electrical & plumbing equipment as per Hilton policy, procedures, engineering operations manual and according to manufacturer’s standards.
• Assists hotels to ensure full implementation of Hilton Preventive Maintenance Program for full building and grounds as per Hilton’s strategy.
• Leads and motivates teams comprising directly employed personnel, external contractors/consultants, suppliers, and owners as appropriate.
• Reviews the monthly engineering reports for each hotel and communicate the feedback.
• Reports monthly to the Senior Director Eng Ops & VP Ops providing key updates on each hotel.
• Conducts review meetings with General Managers & Chief Engineers during hotel visits.
• Assists in developing scopes of work with General Managers and VP Ops for review and approval. Interface and assist with scheduling CAPEX work with property input.
• Assists hotels to develop a five-year strategic capital plan for each hotel, particularly on major mechanical equipment, i.e., laundries, kitchen equipment, electrical switchgear, transformers etc.
• Attends regular meetings with Country/Area GM/VP Ops to advise on capex expenditure submissions.
• Supports functional activities to deliver improved guest satisfaction scores.
• Assists in hotels improvement of Quality Assurance scores regarding engineering related matters.
• Reviews actual period POMEC costs versus budget forecasts and analyse discrepancies. Assists properties in developing plans and actions for priority hotels. Ensures that POMEC is efficiently managed.
• Advises on out of hours emergency problems and disaster recovery.
• Ensures hotels reach the correct technical solution for equipment replacement

Supply Management

• Assists in the negotiation for consumables and service contracts, ensuring the best value for money is obtained.
• Participates in central contracts tendering and service providers interviews process where required.
• Reviews and monitors central contracts performance.

Capital Projects

• Gives relevant MEP input into capital projects within area.
• Gives region’s Capital approval of equipment replacement and refurbishment.
• Ensures technical solutions have been properly identified so that repair/replacement are effective.
• Ensures Hilton approved supplier are being utilised.
• Works alongside Architecture Design & Construction Project Managers on larger projects.
• Follows up on snagging/defect recording process.
• Ensures MEP installations are set-up to run as efficiently as possible and follow environmental and legal requirements.
• Establishes and ensures all relevant documentation is handed over / in place.
• Holds site / construction / owner meetings as required.
• Reports monthly to the Senior Director Eng Ops updating the project status of each property.

Openings, Conversions & PIP

• Ensures familiarity with all signed proposals and has appropriate overview of projects.
• Liaises with AD&C team, to ensure appropriate operational involvement in projects providing feedback
• Follows the engineering operations pre-opening journey and processes.
• Ensures compliance with local regulations & engineering standards and advises the local team / project manager accordingly.
• Ensures appropriate maintenance contracts & schedules are in place/adopted.
• Supports and follows on snagging/defect recording process.
• Manages/assists in handover/acceptance processes.
• Attends site/construction/owner meetings as required.

Personnel

• In conjunction with HR, interview and make recommendations on suitable chief engineers.
• Identify coach and develop suitable personnel for future technical roles.
• Follows “PACE Program”, engineering graduate development program, to assist candidates from intake till graduation and career progression.
• Support and drive the company strategy and focus on Diversity & Inclusion.

Supportive Function

In addition to performance of the essential functions, this position may be required to perform a combination of the following supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the supervisor based upon the requirements of the company.

• Provide technical support to Senior Director of Engineering and Regional Directors of Engineering
• Provide Operational support to VP Ops/Area GM/Country GM/General Managers for the region.
• Participate in future openings activities/projects which may not be in within AIO region

What are we looking for?

• Applicants will need to come from a mechanical, electrical or electromechanical engineering background with proven experience in a multi-site / multi-unit role providing regional support / leadership. Ideally you will come from a hotel / hospitality background but similar experience in other industries will also be considered including facilities management and other large scale building environments eg. offices, hospitals, shopping centres

Additional Skills Experience Required Include

• Excellent communication skills: presentations, written and public speaking.
• Ability to direct collaboration among cross-functional teams including external resources.
• Ability to analyze departmental financial data in order to make strategic and tactical decisions.
• Leads by example to resolve conflicts, introduce change and ensure collaboration among others.
• Ability to provide development and mentoring to others.
• Budget development and management skills.
• Be able to provide a simple explanation of engineering matters to non-technical colleagues whilst being able to discuss and direct complex issues with industry experts.
• The individual must be able to converse at a high level, be a good communicator/ motivator and negotiator.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum Education: University degree in either Mechanical, Electrical or Electromechanical.
• Must be able to converse to a good level for English, written and spoken.
• Experience working in multi-cultural and international settings.
• Experience in facilities management field
• Qualifications in green building & sustainability field would be an advantage
• Qualifications in Project Management would be an advantage
• Knowledge of CAFM systems and AutoCAD
• 50-75% Anticipated Travel.
• Previous hotel chain regional managerial experience and facilities management experience in senior leadership position including managing multiple units and luxury hotels.
• Good project management skills are essential.