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Director, Engineering

COMPANY SUMMARY

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of well-leased, top of tier, modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” features its iconic Observatory, ranked the #1 Top Attraction in New York City for the fourth consecutive year in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The Company is a recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. As of December 31, 2025, ESRT’s portfolio is comprised of approximately 7.9 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space and 743 residential units. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn.

The dedicated team at ESRT is a collection of diverse individuals with a shared passion for excellence and a keen eye toward future growth. Headquartered in New York City, we harness the energy of the city in everything we do. We care for one another, work hard, and have a lot of fun doing it! We are Certified™ as a Great Place to Work® by the global authority, Great Place to Work®, on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors. We prioritize and invest in the health and wellness of employees to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. ESRT values continuous employee development and encourages colleagues to excel in their roles and adapt to emerging business needs. From our crown jewel, The Empire State Building, to incredible buildings modernized for the 21st century, to outstanding customer service, and our decade-long leadership position in sustainability and energy efficient portfolio that is 100% fully powered by renewable wind electricity, we take pride in our work. ESRT seeks an equally passionate colleague to join the team, understand the vision and help achieve that vision.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Engineering will report to the Senior Vice President Property Management and is a hands-on, highly visible leader responsible for the reliability, safety, regulatory compliance, and performance of all building systems across the ESRT portfolio comprised of approximately 9 million rentable square feet across ten commercial buildings and several stand-alone retail properties, as well as three multifamily buildings with 743 units. Building systems include mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, vertical transportation, life-safety systems, emergency power, façade systems, and all mission-critical infrastructure.

The Director of Engineering provides strategic oversight of engineering operations, including preventive and corrective maintenance, capital planning and project execution, environmental and energy performance, and overall operational readiness. The role ensures that all properties operate at the highest standards of efficiency, safety, and tenant experience.

This leader will establish emergency escalation procedures and appropriate delegation frameworks to support 24/7/365 building operations, maintenance, and emergency response across the portfolio.

The Director leads a team of eight Chief Engineers (with dual reporting to their respective Property Managers) and approximately 48 union engineering staff, represented by Local 94 and Local 30. The role is responsible for workforce performance, labor coordination, and building a strong pipeline of future engineering leaders.

In close partnership with the Property Management, Design & Construction, and Sustainability teams, as well as executive leadership, the Director ensures alignment with ESRT’s operational, financial, safety, sustainability, and customer service objectives.

The ideal candidate will leverage data analytics and predictive maintenance tools to optimize system performance, improve lifecycle planning, and drive continuous operational improvement. Additionally, this role serves as a visible leader of engineering operations to executive leadership and external stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP:

Develop long-range engineering strategies, asset protection plans, and capital improvement roadmaps for major systems including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, electrical distribution, emergency power, vertical transportation, plumbing, fire and life-safety systems, and façade elements
Establish and maintain engineering standards, operating procedures, preventive maintenance schedules, safety practices, lockout and tagout procedures, hot work permitting, and work authorization processes
Ensure all engineering activities are planned and coordinated to minimize operational impact and tenant disruption
Maintain accurate inventories, equipment documentation, and system records within computerized maintenance management platforms and related systems.

SYSTEM RELIABILITY & UPTIME ASSURANCE:

Ensure continuous availability and reliability of all critical building systems, which include central heating and cooling plants, primary electrical distribution, building management systems, fire detection and suppression systems, and vertical transportation.
Track key metrics such as system uptime, response time to events, and work order completion performance. Lead incident reviews, root-cause analysis, and follow-up corrective actions for any significant or repeated system failures
Implement continuous improvement programs to increase equipment reliability, reduce unplanned downtime, and extend asset life.

BUDGETING, FORECASTING, AND VARIANCE MANAGEMENT:

Develop and manage the annual engineering operating budget, which includes labor, overtime, materials, contracts, tools, and utilities. Prepare financial justifications for capital projects based on lifecycle cost analysis, risk mitigation, operational efficiency, and compliance requirements
Partner with Property Operations and Finance to prioritize and forecast multi-year capital needs
Provide a monthly written review of engineering labor and overtime performance compared to budget, including a clear explanation of any overtime variance greater than five percent
Provide a monthly written explanation for any repair or maintenance activity exceeding five thousand dollars, documenting the cause, contributing factors, and next steps
Maintain strict cost control and financial transparency across all engineering functions

PROJECT MANAGEMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE EXECUTION:

Lead engineering projects from concept through close-out, including scope definition, budgeting, proposal development, bidding, contractor selection, contract management, scheduling, commissioning, and turnover
Ensure all work meets Empire State standards for safety, quality, documentation, testing, and system integration
Coordinate closely with construction management, tenant coordination, information technology, and building operations to avoid conflicts and ensure alignment
Ensure that all project deliverables, including as-built drawings and operation and maintenance manuals, are accurate and properly archived

VENDOR AND CONTRACTOR OVERSIGHT:

Select, negotiate, and oversee major service providers for elevators, chillers, boilers, controls, fire and life-safety systems, water treatment, structural specialties, and other technical services
Establish clear service expectations, performance standards, and work documentation requirements
Conduct performance reviews, evaluate pricing and service quality, and make recommendations on renewals or rebids
Ensure all vendors follow strict safety and compliance protocols, including site-specific orientation, daily hazard assessments, lockout and tagout verification, hot work control, and confined space entry rules

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, SAFETY MANAGEMENT, & RISK MITIGATION:

Ensure full compliance with all New York City and New York State regulations, which include Department of Buildings requirements, Fire Department requirements, safety regulations, and environmental standards
Maintain all required testing, inspection, documentation, permits, and certifications for elevators, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, fuel storage, emergency generators, pressure vessels, cooling towers, boilers, and all related equipment
Maintain a comprehensive safety program that includes hazard assessments, worker training, documented safety procedures, and required safety equipment
Lead emergency planning and response for power failures, equipment failures, floods, leaks, severe weather, and other incidents, including post-event evaluation

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COORDINATION AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:

Work closely with Property Operations, security, housekeeping, leasing, construction, information technology, sustainability, and major tenants to align engineering priorities with operational needs
Support leasing and tenant improvement processes by reviewing plans, verifying capacity, identifying code requirements, and assessing system impacts
Provide clear communication to tenants and employees regarding planned outages, major projects, and incident responses.

SUSTAINABILITY, ENERGY PERFORMANCE AND DECARBONIZATION SUPPORT:

Lead initiatives to reduce energy and water use, lower carbon emissions, and support environmental and sustainability goals set by Empire State Realty Trust
Monitor energy use intensity, peak electrical demand, utility consumption, and greenhouse gas performance
Identify both operational and capital opportunities to improve energy efficiency, reduce peak demand, and support compliance with environmental performance laws, including New York City Local Law 97 and related carbon-reduction requirements
Support benchmarking, certifications, and required government reporting

TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT:

Oversee building management systems, computerized maintenance management systems, access control systems, and other operating technologies
Ensure system trends, alarms, dashboards, and maintenance records are accurate, complete, and used to support informed decision-making
Partner with information technology to ensure network integrity, cybersecurity protection, and infrastructure reliability
Manage data driven operations and KPI dashboards to make swift informed decisions to reduce energy and staffing costs

STANDARDS, PROCEDURES, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE:

Develop, maintain, and enforce written standard operating procedures for all critical systems and maintenance activities
Ensure preventive maintenance schedules are followed consistently and documented accurately
Conduct periodic audits of logbooks, system settings, equipment conditions, and recordkeeping to ensure compliance with internal and regulatory requirements.

PEOPLE LEADERSHIP AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:

Lead and develop the engineering team, which includes engineers, mechanics, tradespeople, and technicians, to ensure strong performance, consistent coverage, and high morale
Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, corrective actions, and succession planning
Ensure the team receives all required technical training, safety training, and certifications mandated by New York City and state law
Expand in-house capabilities by recruiting employees with skills in carpentry, painting, plumbing, minor electrical work, and general handyman functions
Provide ongoing training to increase the team’s ability to perform tasks internally and reduce reliance on external contractors
Promote a culture of safety, professionalism, quality workmanship, and continuous improvement
Build a strong pipeline of future engineering leaders

PERFORMANCE METRICS AND REPORTING:

Critical system uptime: Maintain at least ninety-nine-point seven percent uptime for major systems and ninety-nine-point nine percent uptime for life-safety systems.
Response time for critical events: Respond to life-safety or major infrastructure events within five minutes during staffed hours and within fifteen minutes after hours.
Work order completion time: Complete standard corrective work orders within forty-eight hours on average.
Energy performance metrics: Monitor and improve energy use intensity, manage peak electrical demand, and reduce weather-normalized energy consumption.
Financial reporting: Provide monthly written key performance indicator summaries and variance reports which will cover overtime performance, repair costs over five thousand dollars, and other operational variances.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Establishes strong operational alignment across the portfolio, to drive consistency, accountability, and adherence to clear performance standards across all properties and teams.
Leverages available technology, data analytics and predictive maintenance tools to optimize system performance, improve lifecycle planning, and drive continuous operational improvement.
Develops a strong pipeline of future engineering leaders and fosters a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Expands in-house technical capabilities and reduces reliance on external contractors through targeted training and workforce development.
Ensures buildings are well maintained, teams operate efficiently, and preventive maintenance and operational initiatives are delivered on time and within budget
Leverages data-driven operations and KPI dashboards to make informed decisions that reduce energy consumption and staffing costs, resulting in a safe, efficient, and high-performing portfolio.
Provides proactive leadership and effective operational oversight to enable seamless day-to-day performance and allow senior leadership to focus on strategic priorities.

REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES

Strong technical knowledge of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; central plant operations; electrical distribution; emergency power; plumbing; vertical transportation; fire and life-safety systems; and building automation systems
Demonstrated success leading teams, managing budgets, and completing complex projects
Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with senior leadership, regulatory agencies, tenants, and service providers. Proven ability to drive safely, operational excellence, and continuous improvement using metrics, process discipline, and team development

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

A minimum of seven to ten years of engineering, facilities, or property operations experience, including leadership experience at a large commercial, mixed-use, or high-rise property
A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field is preferred
New York City licenses such as stationary engineer and refrigeration operator are strongly preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
Ability to access mechanical spaces, rooftops, and infrastructure areas as needed
Occasional off-hours response to critical events

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a collaborative work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. As a Great Place to Work® Certified employer, we are committed to maintaining our positive work culture where employees are engaged and can grow and develop. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors -

Adaptable – you are a self-starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
Dynamic – you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude
Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
Ethical – you treat others with respect, act with integrity in how you perform your work, and embrace our collaborative culture
Positive – you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through

BENEFITS

Competitive base salary and bonus
Health/Dental/Vision insurance
Company sponsored Life, AD&D, STD (with Salary Continuation), and LTD Insurance
Voluntary Enhanced LTD Program
Voluntary Hospital, Accident, and Cancer Programs
401(k) with 100% match up to 5%
Paid parental leave
Pre-tax transit accounts
Employee Assistance Program for emotional, financial, and legal support

WELL-BEING

Generous paid time off
Flex remote work time
Flex Summer Fridays
Employee engagement programs
Volunteer time off
Continuing education
Complimentary Empire State Building Observatory access
Complimentary gym membership and other wellness benefits
Employee Discount Programs

ESRT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because they drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, reproductive choices, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, caregiver status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue hardship for the Company are available for applicants and employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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