Corporate Chief Engineer - B. F. Saul Company Hospitality Group

Our team at the B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group is searching for a Corporate Chief Engineer to support and guide the ongoing maintenance and capital improvement process for all hotels in the group, with direct leadership responsibility for the Embassy Suites Dulles. This role requires a creative vision, entrepreneurial thinking, and deep knowledge of hospitality assets and building systems, particularly MEP systems. The ideal candidate is process-driven, detail-oriented, and committed to exceeding guest, team, and senior management expectations while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Facilities Management:
  • Oversee long-term maintenance of hotels and assets, including quarterly scheduling and monitoring of HVAC, water, electric, and other systems via CMMS.
  • Conduct routine walk-throughs, enforce preventative maintenance policies, and ensure daily maintenance at Embassy Suites Dulles.
  • Lead maintenance teams in upholding company standards, mission, and values.
  • Ensure completion of preventative maintenance processes and compliance with brand programs and company policies.
  • Develop and train the group’s Chief Engineers and engineering staff, focusing on goals aligned with the Hotel’s Mission Statement.
  • Establish training programs to address areas of improvement for Chief Engineers and engineering staff.
  • Collaborate with HR teams to enhance engineering departments through recruitment, hiring, orientation, training, certification, and performance appraisals.
  • Lead safety/quality initiatives, address liability and loss prevention, and ensure emergency preparedness training and procedures.
  • Monitor guest feedback (e.g., social media, franchise measurements) to identify and address building or renovation-related issues.
• Capital Investment:
  • Collaborate with the AVP, Capital Assets & Engineering to develop and manage annual capital maintenance budgets for assigned hotels.
  • Write scopes of work and specifications for projects; hire and manage third-party consultants as needed.
  • Analyze competitive proposals, review price quotes, and make recommendations for facility-related projects.
  • Coordinate project schedules, lead update meetings, and ensure stakeholder involvement.
  • Identify and rectify life safety, legal, or physical deficiencies during onsite visits.
  • Ensure capital projects are completed on time and within budget, working with internal and external advisors.
  • Participate in special projects, such as property evaluations for acquisitions or dispositions.
  • Manage purchase orders and contracts, maintain project documentation, and review for accuracy.
  • Consult with the Corporate Food and Beverage Director and operational teams as needed.
  • Collaborate with the Hotel Performance Support Team on procurement needs, leveraging programs like HSM and Grainger.
  • Manage facility-related emergency capital expenses or major repairs.
• Product Knowledge and Training:
  • Recommend and implement training opportunities to enhance product knowledge, performance, and leadership skills.
  • Identify self-development initiatives and training needs for engineering teams.
  • Interact with Chief Engineers, General Managers, and operational teams to enhance their knowledge.
• Essential Duties:
  • Demonstrate and teach the criticality of preventive maintenance, inspections, guest service recovery, asset protection, and capital expenditures.
  • Master and support the use of CMMS systems, including setup, monitoring, and response to alerts.
  • Conduct routine inspections of hotels and engineering operations; prepare reports summarizing findings.
  • Directly manage MEP and related capital projects, liaising with hotel leadership and contractors.
  • Support field teams in troubleshooting engineering issues and implementing repair/maintenance solutions.
  • Implement cost-saving measures and efficient purchasing strategies to meet budget goals.
  • Manage vendor relations, including deployment of preferred vendor agreements and identification of new vendors.
  • Ensure compliance with engineering SOPs and assess the efficacy of engineering leadership.
  • Provide on-the-job training for specific tasks or SOPs.
  • Research and recommend innovative technologies or processes to enhance engineering functions.
  • Collaborate across departments to ensure excellent customer service related to maintenance and equipment issues.
  • Travel to all hotels in the portfolio as needed to fulfill responsibilities.

Requirements

• Accredited college education (2-year degree preferred; high school diploma or GED required).
• Specific technical expertise in hotel technology systems and business software (e.g., HotSOS, Hotel ServicePro).
• Professional certifications in HVAC, boiler operation, electrical, or plumbing.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• High attention to detail, creativity, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.