Director of Engineering (F/M/X)

About Orient Express

Artisan of Travel since 1883 Orient Express is a legendary brand, steeped in history and loved by past, present and future generations. Representing the pinnacle of ultra-luxury hospitality within Accor Group, this brand is currently going through exciting phases of rebirth and expansion.

Orient Express embodies the refined nomadic spirit of travel, inviting each traveller to a place where the journey is the destination. Bringing awe-inspiring travel experiences to a new generation of adventurers, its exceptional portfolio includes The Orient Express, with its original carriages reimagined as the new embassy of French luxury; Orient Express La Dolce Vita, a train embodying the ‘Made in Italy’ way; Orient Express Silenseas – the world’s largest sailing ship; and hotels coming to Rome and Venice.

Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality, Orient Express is focusing on employee journey and growth.

About Arsenale

Arsenale is a multi-brand Group capable of providing a comprehensive service to the largest and most renowned luxury global market operators who wish to expand in Italy. Founded and supported by internationally renowned entrepreneurs and investors, Arsenale aims at creating the leading luxury hospitality group in Italy. To pursue this ambition, the Group launched an impressive investments plan to boost tourism and made-in-Italy through the re-development and enhancement of iconic hotels and hospitality solutions in the most beautiful locations of the country.

About Orient Express La Minerva, Rome

Considered as the beloved capital of the Orient Express legend, Rome will be home to the first Orient Express hotel, Minerva, in 2024. Orient Express, in partnership with the Italian luxury hotel group Arsenale S.p.A, has entrusted the interior architecture and artistic direction of the hotel Hugo Toro. The former Palazzo Fonseca is a sumptuous 17th-century palace with a huge, majestic façade. A place of memory still adorned with its Roman columns, sculptures by Rinaldi Rinaldo, a disciple of Casanova, and the fascinating goddess Minerva. At the end of 2024, a new décor and interior inspired by the Roman domus and the riches of the “Eternal City” will be revealed with a new touch of contemporary elegance.

The Hotel is committed to providing an exceptional guest experience, boasting unparalleled elegance, world-class amenities, and impeccable service.

Reporting to the General Manager and guidance of the Director of Operations, the Director of Engineering will be responsible for implementing Accor engineering and work standards and overseeing the engineering department operations. Team leadership and effective delegation skills will be key to success in this role.

The mains responsibilities will be the following:

- Assist in the pre-opening of the hotel (and residences if requested) and ensure all the MEP and FLS systems are handed over correctly.

- Assist in “punching” the building and ensuring the repairs completed by the contractors and sub-contractors.

- Build a highly technical engineering team and oversee the engineering department with attention to details and follow-up to ensure satisfactory completion of tasks and projects.

- Maintain all equipment and systems in correct operational status including but not limited to Accor MEP standards, Fire & Life Safety standards, Risk Management, environmental standards, expenditures, and project management.

- Ensure proper completion of the Preventive Maintenance Program for guest rooms, public areas, and safety systems while working closely with the Rooms Division, Food & Beverage Department, Security, purchasing and other operational departments.

- Maintain all mechanical rooms inclusive of Boiler Plant, HVAC equipment, chilled water circulation, air handling units, fan coils, VAVs, motors, pumps …etc.

- Build-up, control and manage the monthly and annual engineering department budget and expenses.

- On a monthly basis to be able to prepare the expense accruals of the department Able to forecast and manage the hotel energy and water usage and all the associated costs.

- Assist in preparation of CAPEX expenditures for the engineering department and assist all other departments in preparing their CAPEX needs.

- Able to identify issues and provide solutions, inclusive of outsourcing and managing 3rd party companies.

- Able to identify, budget for and manage projects related to renovations and or replacements within the hotel.

- Able to run landscaping both summer and winter operations.

- Pool operations knowledge inclusive of water treatment

- Understand water treatment for closed systems and maintains all the related logs for testing of chemicals balance and legionella control.

- Work closely with the purchasing department to source the best products for the least cost

- Monitoring the Hotel’s Energy consumption on daily and monthly basis.

- Ensuring prompt and/or immediate response to maintenance requests from our guests, employees, and management of the Hotel.

- Recruiting, scheduling, payroll, performance appraisals and reviews, training and development of all engineering colleagues

- Coordinate and complete all audits related to engineering and risk management.

- Responsible for departmental health and safety, training programs, statutory compliance

- Manage the hotel emergency response team in coordination with Security and hotel management.

- Coordination and management of outside contractors.

- Ensures hotel compliance with all City and State regulations and ordinances.

- Actively participates in the Hotel’s Energy Management, Occupational Health & Safety, and Environmental programs.

- Lead and support a diverse team in the operations and maintenance of the hotel including general maintenance, HVAC, kitchen repairs, carpentry, electrical, plumbing and grounds

- Setup and attend monthly departmental meetings for the engineering colleagues.

- Manage at hotel level ACCOR’s Energy/Sustainability Programs

- Be available on an ‘on-call’ basis during off hours for emergency situations.

- Attend to all requests from the GM and Director of Operations

- Bachelors’ degree in the engineering field with a minimum of 5+ years’ experience in a similar position at an ultra-luxury hotel OR a technical degree with 10+ years in a similar position with project management experience in the hospitality industry

- English  and Italian fluency is a must.

- Hotel opening experience is preferred.

- Experienced with working with consultants, contractors and suppliers relating to projects and startup of new MEP & FLS systems, inclusive of new technologies such as VRF HVAC systems, AV equipment, BMS/GRMS.

- Experience in Operation & Maintenance Software.

- Team player and a proven team builder.

- Professional Engineer Designation an asset

- Knowledgeable in all local codes to compare & adapt to Accor - Technical Services Standards Proven negotiation skills with 3rd parties and contractors

- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

- Highly organized with the ability to be flexible, and to work well under pressure

- Must be computer literate and familiar with computerized maintenance systems.

- Must lead by example by displaying a high standard of performance with the ability to communicate these expectations to the team to achieve above expectation results.

- Able to work in a fast-paced, upscale, luxury hotel at a downtown location that caters to leisure, meetings & conference environments.