Director of Engineering and Security

AccorHotel•Philadelphia, PA

23h

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 the performance, maintenance, and improvement of building infrastructure, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, life safety, security, and building management systems. It also drives asset management, capital planning, energy optimization, sustainability initiatives, technology integration, and the use of data analytics and AI-driven solutions. The position manages engineering and security teams, external partners, vendors, and ownership relationships. It contributes to hotel strategy as a member of the Executive Committee and works with other departments to support service excellence and a seamless luxury guest experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field, or equivalent technical certification or experience.
At least 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in hotel engineering.
Strong knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BMS, and life safety systems, and of regulatory compliance requirements.
Experience managing capital projects (POMEC), asset management, and ownership relationships.
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 at Executive Committee and ownership levels.
Hands-on, solutions-oriented approach and ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
Fluency 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 an interest in AI-driven operational solutions.
Additional language skills.

Responsibilities

Lead engineering operations and preventative and corrective maintenance across guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house spaces, and technical plant.
Oversee building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, boilers, chillers, pumps, ELV, BMS, generators, and fire and life safety systems.
Drive capital planning, asset lifecycle management, and long-term maintenance strategies in collaboration with ownership.
Maintain ownership relationships through transparent reporting, proactive recommendations, and strategic guidance on engineering and capital matters.
Lead the hotel’s security function and help ensure a safe environment for guests, employees, and assets.
Develop and implement security protocols, emergency response plans, and risk mitigation strategies.
Ensure compliance with fire, life safety, and crisis management procedures and lead emergency and incident response.
Champion sustainability initiatives focused on energy conservation, water efficiency, and waste reduction.
Monitor and optimize energy consumption, implement cost-saving measures, and support environmental commitments.
Lead sustainability reporting and align efforts with corporate ESG goals and certifications.
Drive integration of 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.
Support IT-related projects affecting infrastructure, systems, and guest experience, and collaborate with IT teams on physical and digital systems.
Recruit, develop, and inspire engineering and security team members, fostering accountability, technical excellence, and a luxury service mindset.
Establish SOPs, performance standards, and training programs.
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 renovations and engineering projects, 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.