Director of Engineering - Project Manager (Taskforce)

Canyon Ranch•Spicewood, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Canyon Ranch Austin is seeking a seasoned, results-oriented Director of Engineering — Project Manager on a short-term taskforce basis to lead all construction completion, systems commissioning, and facilities readiness activities for the pre-opening of a landmark luxury wellness resort opening Fall 2026. This role serves as the on-site owner's representative and operational liaison, ensuring that every inch of the new-build property is delivered to Canyon Ranch brand standards, Forbes Travel Guide expectations, and full regulatory compliance — on time and on budget. The ideal candidate brings deep hospitality engineering leadership experience, a proven track record in luxury new-build or major renovation openings, and the credibility to partner effectively with ownership, general contractors, design teams, and department heads. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role with a defined end state: a flawlessly opening resort. Canyon Ranch Austin is a ground-up new build scheduled to open in Fall 2026. The Director of Engineering — Project Manager (Taskforce) is brought on specifically to: Bridge construction punch-list completion and operational readiness. Serve as a point of accountability for Canyon Ranch with all landscaping, construction, and architecture project deadlines and owner scoped tasks and projects. Build and lead the property Engineering department from the ground up, including landscaping, maintenance technicians and security colleagues. Translate contractor deliverables into guest-ready, luxury-standard operations. Ensure seamless handoff from development to ongoing property management.

Requirements

Minimum 10 years of progressive engineering or facilities management experience in luxury hotel, resort, or high-end commercial environments
Minimum 3 years of experience in a pre-opening, new-build, or major renovation project leadership role
Demonstrated experience managing construction completion, commissioning, and handover on projects of comparable scale and complexity
Proven ability to recruit, build, and lead high-performing engineering or facilities teams
Deep working knowledge of MEP systems, building automation, fire suppression, elevators, and hospitality-grade HVAC
Proficiency with project management tools (Procore, MS Project, Buildertrend, or equivalent)
Ability to read, interpret, and redline architectural, structural, and MEP drawings
Strong understanding of local building codes, ADA requirements, fire and life safety regulations, and health department standards
Comfort working within a luxury guest-experience context where technical excellence and aesthetic sensitivity coexist
Ownership Mindset: Treats the property as if it were their own; anticipates issues before they become crises
Execution Excellence: Drives results with urgency, discipline, and attention to detail in a compressed pre-opening timeline
Collaborative Leadership: Builds credibility and trust with contractors, brand, and fellow department heads alike
Communication Clarity: Translates complex technical information into clear, actionable language for non-technical audiences
Calm Under Pressure: Maintains composure and sound judgment when managing competing priorities and last-minute changes
Luxury Sensibility: Understands that engineering excellence in a Forbes-caliber environment means invisible, flawless infrastructure — never visible deficiency

Nice To Haves

Experience within luxury hotel or resort brands with Forbes Travel Guide Four- or Five-Star positioning
Professional Engineering (PE) license or Certified Energy Manager (CEM) designation
Familiarity with Canyon Ranch brand standards, wellness resort operations, or spa/wellness facility systems
OSHA 30-hour certification or equivalent safety credential
Experience with LEED, WELL Building Standard, or green building certification processes

Responsibilities

Serve as Canyon Ranch's on-site owner's representative during final construction, punch-list, and commissioning phases
Coordinate directly with the general contractor, subcontractors, and design consultants to drive schedule adherence
Attend and lead all OAC (Owner, Architect, Contractor) meetings; prepare and distribute meeting minutes and action logs and ensure deliverables are met in a timely fashion
Manage the master punch-list process, ensuring deficiencies are remediated prior to guest arrival
Oversee commissioning, testing, and acceptance of all MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), HVAC, fire life safety, elevators, building automation systems (BAS), and specialty wellness equipment
Coordinate utility connections and confirm all permits, certificates of occupancy (COs), and operational licenses are obtained
Establish preventive maintenance programs, equipment schedules, and asset registers prior to opening
Ensure all equipment warranties, O&M manuals, and as-built drawings are collected and organized for ongoing operations
Lead utility metering, sustainability benchmarking, and energy management baseline setup
Recruit, interview, and select the property Engineering team, including Assistant Director of Engineering, maintenance technicians, landscaping, and security colleagues
Partner with HR and Learning & Development Manager to develop onboarding plans, training curricula, and task checklists for Engineering colleagues
Establish department operating procedures, emergency response protocols, and safety programs
Foster a culture of proactive maintenance, precision, and luxury service mindset within the Engineering team
Develop and maintain a comprehensive pre-opening Engineering checklist and milestone tracker from contract execution through Day 1 operations
Manage the Engineering pre-opening budget, track expenditures, and flag variances with recommended actions
Coordinate FF&E and OS&E receiving, installation inspection, and placement in collaboration with Design and department heads
Partner with IT, Security, and AV vendors to ensure full integration of technology systems
Act as the primary engineering liaison between the Managing Director, Project Manager, SVP of Development, and all operational departments
Produce regular written status reports on construction progress, open issues, and risk mitigation for senior leadership
Collaborate with Rooms, Spa, Food & Beverage, and Health + Performance leadership to ensure all spaces meet Forbes Travel Guide and brand standards