Cluster Director Engineering

Nestled in the heart of Nairobi since 1904, Fairmont The Norfolk is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, where timeless elegance meets modern luxury. Set within serene tropical gardens, the hotel features 125 beautifully appointed rooms and suites designed to offer exceptional comfort while preserving its rich heritage. Over the decades, it has welcomed distinguished guests, global leaders, and travelers seeking refined hospitality in a setting that reflects Nairobi’s vibrant history. With award-winning dining, a heated outdoor pool, wellness facilities, and curated local experiences, the hotel offers guests both relaxation and a gateway to explore the city’s culture and nearby attractions. Committed to sustainability and excellence, Fairmont The Norfolk continues to blend historic charm with contemporary sophistication, creating memorable experiences for generations of visitors.

The Cluster Director of Engineering provides strategic and technical leadership across two hotels Fairmont The Norfolk and Fairmont Mara Safari Club. The role is accountable for the overall engineering, maintenance, energy management, and sustainability performance of all hotels under its responsibility, ensuring that technical standards for the luxury brands, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance are consistently achieved and improved.

Reporting to the Cluster General Manager, responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following:

• Establishing and maintaining the correct engineering organizational structure at each property in line with Accor brand standards and corporate manuals.
• Ensuring engineering operations across the cluster are aligned with Accor Luxury Brand technical standards and policies.
• Providing functional guidance and technical oversight to each property’s engineering team.
• Recommending staffing adjustments, structural changes, and resource allocation to maximize engineering performance across the cluster.
• Conduct regular property walk-abouts and technical inspections across all cluster hotels, visually assessing the safe and efficient maintenance and operation of physical structures, all mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and life safety systems, and any related equipment.
• Ensure all technical installations across each hotel are maintained in accordance with Fairmont technical standards for Accor luxury brands, including building fabric, plant rooms, sewage and fresh water systems, emergency generators, air conditioning systems, irrigation, kitchen and laundry equipment, cooling systems, swimming pools, lighting systems, in-house music and TV systems, carpentry, painting, and transportation equipment.
• Ensure completion of all routine maintenance in public spaces, meeting rooms, ballrooms, food and beverage outlets, back-of-house spaces, and external areas across both properties.
• Ensure completion of all repairs, replacements, and renovation works throughout all cluster properties in a timely and professional manner.
• Determine repair priorities and ensure the rapid resolution of all breakdowns. Ensure that all work executed — whether by in-house teams or external contractors — meets the required standard and done as agreed before sign-off of invoices.
• Ensure all planned preventive maintenance (PPM) programs are operational, through the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), and reviewed regularly to protect asset life and ensure guest comfort and safety.
• Ensure that all work executed by own technicians or external contractors on buildings, plant, and technical installations meets the agreed specifications.
• Consult specialists and engage the Cluster GM for emerging technical Issues of significant scope; record all decisions and corrective actions
• Lead the implementation and active supervision of the cluster energy and water management strategy in alignment with Accor’s sustainability targets
• Ensure the Gaia 2.0 energy and water management platform is implemented, utilized and maintained across all cluster hotels.
• Monitor heat, light, and power (HLP) consumption data on a daily and monthly basis across all properties; analyze trends, identify savings opportunities, and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure water treatment programs and water management plans are in place, current, and effective at each property.
• Submit a Monthly Technical Services Report to the Director of Engineering – Luxury Brands, IMEAT.
• Conduct special training for operating departments on the safe and efficient use of equipment and energy conservation.
• Identify and recommend current best practices for energy conservation and economical facility operations across the cluster.
• Ensure the FLHS systems maintenance and upgrades are applied at each property and draw the attention of the Cluster GM to any identified gaps in implementation.
• Ensure the Permit to Work (PTW) system is adhered to at all times across all cluster properties.
• Ensure all Fire and Health & Safety equipment is fully maintained and all required periodic tests are carried out at each property.
• Report and fully document all technical incidents and accidents in accordance with company and statutory requirements.
• Ensure that business continuity plans for all cluster properties are regularly reviewed, updated, and are operationally achievable.
• Design, maintain, and ensure the planned preventive maintenance (PPM) program is operational across all cluster properties to maintain high levels of Guest satisfaction and asset reliability.
• Ensure the CMMS is fully implemented and utilized by the engineering teams and relevant hotel departments across all cluster properties
• Ensure daily data collection, work order management and reporting are carried out effectively by each property’s engineering team.
• Oversee completion of work orders, prioritize schedules in accordance with guest needs, and ensure timely resolution of maintenance requests
• Conduct a comprehensive technical audit of each cluster property twice per year
• Audits shall cover: engineering organization and structure planned preventive maintenance (PPM), Gaia 2.0 energy and water management system, FLHS compliance, training and development, CMMS utilization, procurement and contractor management, and capital works.
• Maintain all properties in accordance with Accor technical standards for luxury brands at all times.
• Following each audit, discuss findings with the hotel’s General Manager and engineering leadership; issue a formal audit report with an action plan for resolution of identified gaps.
• Distribute audit reports to the Cluster General Manager, Cluster Hotel Manager and the Director of Engineering – Luxury Brands, IMEAT.
• Follow up on audit action plans to ensure timely and effective resolution
• Review, advise, and approve the annual Repair & Maintenance (R&M) Budget, Utilities Budget, and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Budget for each cluster property during the preparation period.
• Monitor actual expenditure against budgeted limits; provide corrective guidance to property engineering teams where costs exceed targets.
• Prepare and coordinate all Capital Project Releases across the cluster; compile technical data, bidding documents, project specifications, and alterations, ensuring compliance with building regulations and codes.
• Adhere to all Accor corporate purchasing policies and controls, including all outside contractor bids, budgets, and schedules.
• Co-ordinate and consolidate common service contracts across cluster properties (e.g. Chiller contracts, boiler contracts, water treatment, third-party inspections, lift maintenance) to ensure best service levels and cost efficiency.
• Review and sign off invoices for external work only when execution is complete as agreed and to full satisfaction.
• Submit a Monthly Technical Services Report to the Director of Engineering – Luxury Brands, IMEAT, covering an overall technical assessment of each property including maintenance, renovation, problem areas, energy, and safety.
• Provide regular briefings to the Cluster General Manager on the condition of building structures, systems, and equipment, with prudent and cost-effective proposals for maintaining and improving those systems.
• Access and input information via property management and engineering systems; generate required reports and share insights with stakeholders.
• Attend daily operations meetings and advise on all Engineering and Project-related matters.
• Attend and support Executive Committee, Departmental, Quarterly Staff, Guest Satisfaction Feedback, and Safety Committee meetings as per business requirements
• Prepare, update, and implement the Training Matrix within all engineering departments across the cluster.
• Train and develop all engineering managers and supervisors as per the Training Matrix; measure their performance bi-annually.
• Train engineering team leaders on Risk Assessment techniques and implementation.
• Identify engineering talent within the cluster; support talent development and succession planning in line with Accor leadership frameworks.
• Motivate engineering teams and seek continuous improvement of policies, systems, and service practices.
• Completion of all required Accor training programs and active participation in quality and sustainability initiatives.
• Provide technical oversight for capital projects and renovation works within the cluster.
• Following approval by the Director of Engineering – Luxury Brands, IMEAT for planning and concepts, review and provide input on renovation drawings and specifications, ensuring compliance with Accor technical standards for luxury brands; follow up through to project completion.
• Advise on and oversee CAPEX projects and major refurbishments; act as a technical resource for cluster hotels on correct preventive, routine, and repair maintenance procedures.
• Schedule and conduct inspections of cluster properties during major CAPEX projects; ensure project milestones, quality standards, and timelines are met.
• Co-ordinate and assist with the commissioning and handover of new and renovated engineering systems across cluster properties.
• Supervise and maintain key card and electronic lock systems across all cluster hotels in conjunction with Information Systems Managers; ensure all systems are fully functional and authority levels are implemented properly.
• Ensure all engineering technology platforms, including the CMMS and Gaia 2.0, are adopted, utilized, and kept up to date across all cluster properties.
•  Ensure the Building Automation Systems (BAS) at each property are properly maintained, configured, and utilized to optimize energy consumption, occupant comfort, and system reliability.
• Drive adoption of digital tools that improve engineering performance and data accuracy across the cluster.
• Deep technical knowledge of all major building engineering systems, including HVAC, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, water treatment, refrigeration, electrical systems (high and low voltage), plumbing systems, fire protection systems, Building Automation Systems (BAS), and life safety systems.
• Sound knowledge of MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) engineering principles and best practices.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience with Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) programs and CMMS platforms.
• Familiarity with NFPA fire protection standards and international fire, life, and health safety regulations.
• Knowledge of building regulations, construction, and project management principles; ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints.
• Sound understanding of energy conservation methodologies, sustainability frameworks, and environmental management systems

• Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline. A professional engineering qualification or license is strongly preferred
• Post-graduate qualifications in Engineering Management or Facilities Management are an advantage.
• Certification in Fire Protection (e.g., NFPA or equivalent) is highly desirable
• Health & Safety qualification (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH, or equivalent) is an advantage
• Certification or training in Energy Management (e.g., Certified Energy Manager – CEM, ISO 50001) is an advantage.
• Minimum 8 years previous luxury / upscale hotel experience in a related field (minimum 5 years as Chief Engineer of multi properties).
• Demonstrated experience managing engineering operations across multiple luxury hotel properties simultaneously.
• Proven track record of delivering energy and water savings targets in a luxury hospitality environment.
• Experience with CAPEX project management and hotel renovations in the luxury segment.

Skills & Attributes

• Demonstrates high standards of personal and professional conduct
• Excellent communication skills — both verbal and written
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, external authorities, and contractors
• Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop multi-property engineering teams.
• Strong strategic planning and prioritization skills; ability to manage complex workloads across multiple sites simultaneously
• Effective project management skills with experience overseeing CAPEX projects and refurbishments
• Strong contractor and vendor management skills; knowledge of tendering, contract negotiation, and procurement processes.
• Proficient in the use of CMMS platforms for work order management, PPM scheduling, and engineering performance reporting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• ESuite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to access, analyze, and present data from engineering and property management systems
• Strong report-writing skills - able to produce accurate and insightful monthly and audit reports.

Physical Aspects of Position: 

• Frequent sitting and walking throughout the shift
• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 20 lbs
• Occasional kneeling, pushing, pulling, lifting