Assistant Director of Engineering

OVERVIEW

At Rosewood Red Sea an Ultra luxury hospitality setting, the Assistant Director of Engineering embodies the pursuit of precision, innovation, and elevated standards that define the guest experience behind the scenes. This role goes beyond conventional engineering practices, integrating technical mastery with creativity to continuously enhance the built environment in line with Rosewood’s A Sense of Place philosophy identity and values.

As a key leader, the position influences a culture of forward-thinking, driving new ideas, engaging teams through practical demonstrations and initiatives, and embedding a mindset of excellence across all touchpoints. With a refined balance of operational insight and imaginative problem-solving, the Assistant Director of Engineering contributes to shaping a distinctive, high-performance environment that sets the property apart from traditional hospitality norms.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

01. Department Leadership & Operations

• Support the Director of Engineering in overall management of engineering operations, ensuring uninterrupted hotel services.
• Supervise daily operations of all technical sections:
  • Electrical systems
  • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning)
  • Plumbing & water systems
  • Fire & life safety systems
  • Kitchen & laundry equipment
• Ensure all plant rooms, equipment, and facilities operate at optimal efficiency and safety standards.
• Lead preventive and predictive maintenance programs for all hotel assets.

02. Acting Leadership / Replacement Duties

• Act as Director of Engineering in their absence, assuming full responsibility for:
  • Departmental decision-making
  • Budget approvals (within delegation)
  • Vendor coordination
  • Crisis management
• Represent the Engineering Department in executive meetings and briefings when required.
• Take ownership of high-level technical issues and guest-impacting failures.

03. Emergency Response & Crisis Management

• Serve as a key member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT).
• Take leadership in emergencies such as:
  • Fire incidents
  • Power failure / blackout
  • Flooding / water leakage
  • HVAC breakdown affecting guest areas
• Be available on-call beyond working hours for urgent engineering issues.
• Ensure proper functioning of:
  • Fire alarm systems
  • Emergency generators
  • Evacuation systems
• Conduct regular emergency drills and training.

04. Maintenance & Asset Management

• Develop and monitor preventive maintenance schedules.
• Ensure compliance with manufacturer recommendations and hotel standards.
• Oversee:
  • Spare parts inventory
  • Equipment lifecycle management
  • Energy-saving initiatives
• Implement sustainability and energy conservation programs.

05. Financial & Budget Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation and control of:
  • Annual engineering budget
  • CAPEX (capital expenditure) plans
  • Maintenance cost forecasts
• Monitor expenses and ensure cost-effective operations.
• Evaluate vendor contracts and negotiate service agreements.

06. Compliance & Safety

• Ensure full compliance with:
  • Local regulations and authority requirements
  • Fire and life safety codes
  • Environmental and sustainability standards
• Maintain documentation for:
  • Audits
  • Certifications
  • Inspections

07. Vendor & Contractor Management

• Manage third-party contractors and service providers.
• Ensure all work complies with hotel quality and safety standards.
• Supervise major repair and renovation projects.

08. Team Management & Development

• Supervise engineering staff including supervisors and technicians.
• Conduct:
  • Performance evaluations
  • Training sessions
  • Skill development programs
• Foster a culture of:
  • Safety
  • Accountability
  • Continuous improvement

09. Training & Knowledge Transfer

• Deliver technical and safety training to engineering staff.
• Train operational departments on:
  • Basic equipment handling
  • Energy-saving practices
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and manuals.

10. Communication & Coordination

• Maintain strong coordination with:
  • Front Office
  • Housekeeping
  • Food & Beverage
  • Security
• Ensure all engineering issues impacting guests are promptly communicated and resolved.
• Prepare and present engineering reports to senior management.

11. Project Management

• Assist in renovation, refurbishment, and expansion projects.
• Coordinate with consultants, designers, and contractors.
• Ensure projects are completed:
  • On time
  • Within budget
  • As per brand standards

12. Manager on Duty (MOD) Responsibilities

• Perform Manager on Duty shifts as assigned by hotel management.
• Handle:
  • Guest complaints (technical and non-technical)
  • Operational disruptions
  • VIP guest requirements
• Coordinate with Front Office, Housekeeping, and Security to ensure guest satisfaction and brand standards.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence in the hotel during duty shifts.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in:
  • Mechanical Engineering / Electrical Engineering / Building Services Engineering

Experience

• Minimum 8–12 years in engineering operations, preferably in hospitality.
• At least 2–4 years in a leadership role (Chief Engineer / Assistant DOE level).
• Experience in 5-star or luxury hotels highly preferred.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of:
  • HVAC systems
  • Electrical distribution systems
  • Plumbing & water treatment
  • Fire & life safety systems
  • Building Management Systems (BMS)
• Familiarity with energy management and sustainability practices.

Leadership & Behavioral Skills

• Strong leadership and decision-making ability.
• Ability to handle pressure and emergencies calmly.
• High level of accountability and ownership.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.

Communication & Language Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong report writing and documentation ability.
• Fluency in English (mandatory).
• Additional languages (e.g., Arabic, French, etc.) are an advantage in international hotels.
• Ability to communicate effectively with:
  • Guests
  • Senior management
  • Technical staff

Training & Development Skills

• Ability to:
  • Conduct technical training sessions
  • Develop SOPs and manuals
  • Mentor and coach team members
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.

Other Requirements

• Flexibility to work:
  • Shifts
  • Weekends
  • Holidays
• Willingness to be on call for emergencies 24/7.
• Strong understanding of guest service culture in luxury hospitality.

Located along Saudi Arabia's west coast on the Shura Island, the new Rosewood hotel and residences will be part of The Red Sea destination. Poised to be one of Saudi Arabia's top cultural and lifestyle hubs, the development is comprised of a stunning marina offering a yacht club, commercial retail and dining options, as well as an 18-hole championship golf course. The development will boast 149 guest rooms and suites, alongside elevated dining offerings including three restaurants, two lounges, a signature Manor Club and a central hub featuring authentic eateries. Additional recreational spaces will include event pavilions and Asaya, Rosewood's integrative well-being concept consisting of seven treatment rooms, a gym, two movement studios and a yoga pavilion.