Complex Director of Engineering

Role Overview

Complex Director of Engineering (Pre-Opening) at Tivoli Hotels & Resorts, located at Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort.

Company Overview

Tivoli Hotels & Resorts is a collection of luxury hotels and resorts set in idyllic beaches and cosmopolitan locations across Europe, the Middle East, Brazil, and Asia. Founded in 1933, Tivoli's heritage is built on extraordinary service, authentic local experiences, and a genuine dedication to the art of hospitality.

Role Purpose

The Complex Director of Engineering (Pre-Opening) leads all engineering, technical services, and facilities management activities during the pre-opening, opening, and operational phases of multiple hotels or resorts. The role ensures that all engineering systems, building infrastructure, MEP installations, life safety systems, and back-of-house facilities are delivered to brand standards, local regulations, and operational requirements. The position acts as the primary liaison between owners, project consultants, contractors, designers, and hotel operations to ensure a seamless transition from construction to hotel operations while establishing an efficient engineering department capable of delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Opening Project Management

• Lead all engineering activities during hotel development and pre-opening.
• Represent hotel operations during design reviews and construction meetings.
• Review architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), fire and life safety, kitchen, laundry, and HVAC drawings.
• Ensure engineering designs meet brand standards, operational efficiency, sustainability goals, and local authority requirements.
• Monitor construction progress and identify operational risks.
• Coordinate snagging, defect inspections, and handover processes.
• Ensure all contractor punch lists are completed before opening.
• Participate in testing and commissioning of all building systems.
• Coordinate authority inspections and approvals.

Engineering Operations

• Develop the Engineering Department structure for multiple properties.
• Recruit, train, and onboard engineering team members.
• Establish engineering standard operating procedures and preventive maintenance programs.
• Develop asset management and lifecycle maintenance strategies.
• Ensure efficient operation of HVAC systems, electrical distribution, plumbing systems, fire alarm systems, fire fighting systems, Building Management System (BMS), ELV systems, kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, elevators and escalators, swimming pools, water features, boilers and chillers, generators, and irrigation systems.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with local building regulations and hospitality standards.
• Maintain full compliance with Civil Defense requirements.
• Implement fire and life safety procedures.
• Conduct emergency response planning and drills.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA principles, environmental regulations, energy management standards, sustainability initiatives, and brand engineering audits.

Financial Management

• Develop pre-opening engineering budgets.
• Prepare annual capital expenditure and operational expenditure plans.
• Monitor project expenditures.
• Manage engineering contracts and service agreements.
• Control utility consumption and operating costs.
• Identify energy-saving opportunities.

Sustainability & Energy Management

• Develop sustainability initiatives.
• Implement energy conservation programs.
• Monitor utility consumption.
• Improve water conservation.
• Support Green Building and ESG initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with environmental certifications where applicable.

Asset Management

• Develop asset registers.
• Establish preventive maintenance schedules.
• Implement Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Monitor equipment performance.
• Manage warranty documentation.
• Coordinate warranty claims with contractors.

Vendor & Contractor Management

• Manage contractors during construction and defects liability periods.
• Evaluate contractor performance.
• Coordinate specialist vendors.
• Ensure service quality and compliance with contractual obligations.
• Negotiate engineering service agreements.

Opening Readiness

• Ensure all engineering systems are operational before opening.
• Coordinate mock operations.
• Support trial stays and soft opening.
• Complete all engineering opening checklists.
• Ensure operational readiness of guestrooms and public areas.
• Manage final acceptance and handover documentation.

Leadership

• Lead engineering teams across multiple hotels.
• Coach and develop engineering managers and supervisors.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Foster collaboration with Rooms, Food and Beverage, Housekeeping, Security, IT, and Finance teams.

Reports To

Complex General Manager / Regional Director of Engineering