Area Director of Facilities ("Director de Area de Operaciones")

Azul Hospitality•Detroit, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Facilities is responsible for the maintenance, operations, and physical condition of a portfolio of five upscale hotels in downtown Detroit. This strategic leadership role oversees building engineers assigned to each property and ensures facilities meet high standards of safety, functionality, and appearance. The Director develops and implements maintenance programs, capital improvement plans, and operating strategies to protect hotel assets and support the guest experience. The role includes managing facilities operations, multi-site teams, budgets, vendors, capital projects, renovations, and safety and regulatory compliance. It partners with hotel General Managers and coordinates with design professionals, contractors, and other stakeholders. The position is based at a primary hotel or corporate office, requires regular travel between the five properties, occasional evening and weekend work, and availability for emergency response outside normal business hours. The position also supports hotel operations by assisting with guest inquiries, reporting maintenance and safety issues, following company policies, attending required training and meetings, and performing other reasonable duties as requested. Physical activities include walking properties, climbing stairs, inspecting mechanical spaces, lifting and moving equipment, and operating necessary office and facilities equipment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Construction Management, or a related field is listed as required in the primary qualifications; a later education section states a bachelor's degree is preferred and high school or equivalent is required.
Minimum 8–10 years of progressive facilities management experience, including at least 5 years in hospitality or commercial real estate.
Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience managing multi-site facilities teams.
Deep technical knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, building automation, and other building systems.
Demonstrated record of managing capital projects and renovation programs.
Strong understanding of building codes, safety regulations, and compliance requirements.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel between properties in downtown Detroit; must be able to provide and maintain a valid license for possible operation of motorized and electric vehicles.
Availability for emergency response outside normal business hours.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, customer-relations, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage priorities, work independently, and interact effectively with internal and external customers.
Technical proficiency with commercial building systems, CMMS software and facilities technology, project management, budgeting and cost analysis, and contract negotiation and vendor management.
Ability to speak, read, write, and understand the primary workplace language; good verbal, written, and electronic communication skills.
Intermediate computer skills, basic computational ability, and knowledge of Windows OS, MS Office, PMS, PBX, key systems, and POS.
Ability to travel as needed and perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to walk properties, climb stairs, inspect mechanical spaces, stand and move for extended periods, and lift up to 75 pounds occasionally and push or pull carts and equipment weighing up to 250 pounds occasionally.
Ability to operate power-driven machinery and necessary equipment, with manual dexterity and the ability to perform required grasping, writing, typing, bending, climbing, and repetitive motions.
Must maintain a neat, clean, and well-groomed appearance in accordance with company and property standards; regular attendance and compliance with company rules are required.

Nice To Haves

Certified Facility Manager (CFM) or equivalent professional certification.
Master's degree in a related field.
Experience with upscale or luxury hotel properties.
LEED certification or demonstrated commitment to sustainability practices.
Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
Knowledge of historic building preservation and renovation.
CPR certification and/or First Aid training.
Strong background in facilities and project management in hospitality, residential, or similar commercial/public-facing industries.
Experience with complex mixed-use and historic buildings.
Three to five years of management experience and three to five years of engineering or maintenance experience, as stated in the later experience section.

Responsibilities

Oversee facilities maintenance and operations across five hotel properties, maintaining buildings, systems, and equipment in optimal condition.
Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety, and building automation systems.
Establish facilities standards and operating procedures consistent with upscale hospitality expectations.
Inspect properties to identify maintenance needs, safety concerns, and opportunities for improvement.
Manage emergency response protocols and serve as the primary escalation point for critical facilities issues.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local building codes, safety regulations, and environmental standards.
Lead, mentor, evaluate, and develop building engineers assigned to individual properties; establish performance standards and provide coaching.
Coordinate work schedules and resource allocation across properties, and partner with General Managers to align facilities priorities with operational needs.
Develop and manage annual operating budgets, capital expenditure budgets, and multi-year capital improvement plans.
Analyze maintenance costs, identify efficiency and cost-saving opportunities, and track and report performance metrics.
Negotiate and manage vendor, contractor, and service-provider relationships; review and approve contracts, proposals, and invoices.
Plan and oversee capital improvement projects and renovations, coordinating stakeholders to meet schedules, budgets, brand standards, and property-value goals while minimizing operational disruption.
Maintain knowledge of OSHA, ADA, and hospitality safety requirements; ensure permits, inspections, and certifications are maintained.
Implement safety training programs and oversee life safety systems, including fire suppression, emergency lighting, and security systems.
Assist with guest inquiries; report maintenance problems, hazards, accidents, and injuries; follow company and safety policies; and perform other reasonable duties as requested.
Attend scheduled training sessions and meetings and maintain regular attendance.