Director of Engineering and Security

AccorHotel•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The Director of Engineering and Security leads the hotel’s technical, facilities, and security operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, sustainability, regulatory compliance, and guest comfort. The role oversees building infrastructure and systems, including MEP, HVAC, electrical distribution, life safety, security operations, and building management systems, and drives innovation, technology integration, and disciplined asset management. The Director champions sustainability, energy optimization, and emerging technologies, including AI-driven solutions. The position manages engineering and security teams, external partners, vendors, and ownership relationships, and contributes to hotel strategy as a member of the Executive Committee. The role is based at Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square, a 306-room luxury hotel in Philadelphia.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field, or equivalent technical certification or experience.
At least 7 years of progressive leadership experience in hotel engineering.
Strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BMS, life safety systems, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Experience managing capital projects (POMEC), asset management, and ownership relations.
Ability to lead both Engineering and Security functions, with knowledge of risk management and crisis response.
Experience driving sustainability initiatives, energy optimization, and environmental compliance programs.
Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence Executive Committee members and ownership.
Hands-on, solutions-oriented approach, balancing strategic thinking with operational execution.
Fluent in English.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience as a Director of Engineering in a luxury or upscale environment.
Exposure to smart-building technologies and automation systems, and interest in AI-driven operational solutions.
Additional languages.

Responsibilities

Lead engineering operations and preventative and corrective maintenance across guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house areas, and technical plant.
Oversee HVAC, electrical, plumbing, boilers, chillers, pumps, ELV, BMS, generators, and fire and life safety systems to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance.
Drive capital planning (POMEC), asset lifecycle management, and long-term maintenance strategies in collaboration with ownership.
Maintain ownership relations through transparent reporting, proactive recommendations, and strategic guidance on engineering and capital matters.
Lead the hotel’s security function and ensure a safe environment for guests, employees, and assets.
Develop and implement security protocols, emergency response plans, and risk mitigation strategies aligned with luxury standards and local regulations.
Ensure compliance with fire, life safety, and crisis management procedures, and lead during emergencies and incident response.
Champion sustainability initiatives focused on energy conservation, water efficiency, and waste reduction; optimize energy use and support Accor’s environmental commitments.
Lead sustainability reporting and align initiatives with corporate ESG goals and certifications.
Integrate smart-building technologies and AI-driven solutions for predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and operational efficiency.
Use data analytics and automation tools to improve system performance and reduce downtime.
Partner with corporate teams and vendors to identify and deploy engineering solutions aligned with future hospitality trends.
Support and participate in IT projects affecting infrastructure, systems, and guest experience, and collaborate with IT teams on physical and digital systems alignment.
Recruit, develop, and inspire engineering and security teams, fostering accountability, technical excellence, and a luxury service mindset.
Establish SOPs, performance standards, and training programs to promote consistency and continuous improvement.
Lead departmental budgeting, forecasting, and cost control, emphasizing energy efficiency and ROI-driven decisions.
Manage vendor relationships, tender processes, and service contracts to ensure quality, value, and compliance.
Oversee renovation projects and engineering initiatives, ensuring timely delivery, quality execution, and minimal guest disruption.
Participate in Executive Committee strategic planning and operational decisions, contributing to overall hotel performance.
Partner with other departments to support service excellence and a seamless luxury guest experience.