Director of Engineering

Job Description/Specification:

11:11 Hospitality is seeking an experienced, hands-on, and strategic Director of Engineering to lead and manage the Engineering and Maintenance operations of our flagship luxury hotel and high-rise property in Doha, Qatar. In this vital executive leadership role, you will be fully responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operation of all building systems, facilities, equipment, and engineering services.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical mastery across multidisciplinary MEP systems with visionary leadership, preventive maintenance expertise, and the ability to steer a multicultural team while maintaining world-class standards of guest comfort, safety, and asset longevity.

Key Responsibilities & Core Duties

1. Departmental Leadership & Daily Operations

• Operational Oversight: Lead and manage the Engineering and Maintenance Department, establishing robust daily routines, preventative schedules, and seamless workflow coordination.

• Multidisciplinary Building Services: Oversee all core building infrastructure, including HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing, civil works, fire & life safety systems, elevators, BMS (Building Management Systems), generators, pumps, and water systems.

• Team Development: Train, coach, and mentor engineering team members to elevate technical competency, performance standards, and cross-departmental collaboration.

2. Maintenance & Asset Management

• Preventive Programs: Develop, implement, and audit proactive preventive and planned maintenance programs to maximize equipment lifespan and minimize unexpected downtime.

• Facility Audits: Conduct rigorous daily inspections of guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house zones, plant rooms, and building envelopes to uphold luxury hospitality standards.

• Emergency Preparedness: Respond decisively to engineering emergencies, breakdowns, and crises, participating actively in fire drills, risk assessments, and business continuity planning.

3. Financial, Project & Vendor Control

• Budget Management: Monitor, control, and optimize engineering-related operating expenses, utility consumption, and annual maintenance budgets.

• Project Supervision: Plan and direct repair, renovation, refurbishment, and capital improvement projects across the property.

• Contractor Management: Oversee external contractors, consultants, and service providers, reviewing service agreements to guarantee adherence to timelines and strict quality standards.

4. Sustainability & Regulatory Compliance

• Regulatory Adherence: Ensure 100% compliance with Qatar municipal regulations, health and safety requirements, fire & life safety codes, and statutory environmental permits.

• Green Initiatives: Spearhead energy and water conservation initiatives to reduce operational overhead, drive sustainability, and lower the property's carbon footprint.

Requirements & Candidate Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a closely related technical field.

• Experience: Minimum of 8 to 10 years of progressive engineering and maintenance experience, preferably within a luxury hotel, high-rise residential tower, or large-scale commercial property.

• Management Tenure: At least 3 to 5 years serving in a senior engineering or maintenance management position (e.g., Chief Engineer or Director of Engineering).

• Technical Expertise: Deep working knowledge of complex MEP systems, HVAC controls, fire life safety, and automated building management systems (BMS).

• Regional Preference: Prior working experience within Qatar or the broader GCC region is highly preferred; deep familiarity with luxury hospitality standards is a distinct advantage.

• Soft Skills: Exceptional leadership, cross-cultural communication, negotiation, and high-pressure problem-solving capabilities.

Who Can Apply?

This executive career opportunity is open to hospitality engineering leaders who match the following profile:

• Residency: Candidates currently residing in Qatar with transferable visa status are strongly preferred for immediate mobilization.

• Industry Background: Seasoned engineering managers coming from 5-star luxury hotels, branded residences, or high-end mixed-use high-rise developments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is hospitality experience mandatory for this role?

A: While experience in luxury hotels and knowledge of 5-star hospitality standards is a major advantage, senior engineering leaders with extensive high-rise commercial or luxury residential tower backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.

Q2: What are the core technical systems managed by the Director of Engineering?

A: The role oversees the entire technical infrastructure of the property, including chillers and HVAC networks, primary/secondary electrical distribution, plumbing, fire protection systems, and automated BMS interfaces.

Q3: How is the application process conducted?

A: Interested candidates should submit an updated CV. The recruitment committee will review profiles against the leadership and technical criteria, contacting shortlisted applicants for interviews.