Chief Engineer

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Engineer directs all aspects of engineering operations including emergency programs, energy management, asset protection, preventive maintenance and repairs to equipment, structures and grounds.  Directs the Engineering staff, accounting/budgeting, asset protection, inventory control and human resources.  The Chief Engineer directs all operations in alignment with the direction of the General Manager, Company, brand standards and local, state and national regulations.  Responsible for quality service, meeting/exceeding financial goals, short and long term planning and day-to-day operations. Recommends the Engineering budget, business plan, capital expenditures and manages within approved plans and objectives.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

This description is a summary of primary responsibilities and qualifications.  The job description is not intended to include all duties or qualifications that may be required now or in the future.  The Hotel operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so operational demands require variations in shift days, starting times, and hours worked in a week.

Business Results

Applies broad business knowledge and balances both a short- and long-term perspective to generate strategies while leading the organization to achieve them.

• Direct all facets of Engineering. Keep abreast of brand standards and the competition's products and strengths to continually improve revenues and profit margins while maintaining quality.
• Use business/management knowledge, applications in the industry, and experiences to provide leadership, both internally and externally, to assist the General Manager in positioning the hotel as a market leader.  
• Be a coach with a positive attitude on a daily basis.  Implement, manage and comply with Company policies, practices and programs.  
• Ensure compliance with brand standards and local, state and national regulations. 
• Ensure optimal levels of quality service and hospitality are provided to guests.   
• Walk the property daily to identify issues and to speak with and listen to associates. 
• Ensure preventative maintenance programs are in place to protect assets and maintenance related problems are promptly and properly addressed.  
• Inspect and evaluate the condition of the Engineering areas, equipment and inventories. 
• Investigate, analyze and report on all incidents and accidents.  
• In conjunction with the General Manager, coordinate activities and liaise with local and federal law enforcement agencies, fire companies and insurance agencies to resolve problems and ensure a safe environment for guests and associates.  

• Generates costs comparison and solicits bid/proposals as needed. 

• Submit recommendations for changes and improvements to the General Manager.
• Work collaboratively with the Corporate Office to ensure Company assets are accurately tracked.   
• Direct all emergency programs including equipment maintenance and inspections, staff training, practice drills, accurate recordkeeping and compliance with all policies, procedures, codes and regulations. 
• Direct and promote an accident prevention program to minimize liabilities and related expenses.   Ensure appropriate sanitary, safety, security and emergency procedures are in place, followed and comply with policies, standards and regulations.  Ensure the staff is proficient in sanitary, safety, security and emergency procedures. 
• Notify the General Manager of any potential liability and propose proper course of action to prevent the hotel from incurring any such liability.  Make recommendations to the General Manager on additional safeguards as appropriate.   Practice safe work habits.
• Ensure associates are properly trained in the use and maintenance of Company assets.
• Communicates with hotel department heads to become aware of maintenance needs and ensures timely response to internal requests. 
• Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing to provide clear direction to staff.   Assigns and instructs all direct reports in details of work.  Observes performance and encourages improvement.  Monitors hotel traffic and makes staffing adjustments accordingly.   Supervises and reviews costs and inventory.
• Conducts disciplinary action as required for those directly supervising.
• Conduct 90 day and annual performance evaluations for the engineering staff.

Guest Satisfaction

• Ensures a high level of customer satisfaction and builds long terms mutually beneficial customer relationships to support future revenue growth. 
• Coordinates and communicates verbally and in writing with customer (internal and external). Follows up with customer.
• Makes presence known to customer at all times.   
• Displays leadership in guest hospitality and ensures consistent, high level service throughout all phases of hotel events.  
• Sets a positive example for guest relations.
• Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.  Effectively responds to and handles guest problems and complaints.
• Reviews Guest Service Results with leaders.   Participates in the development and implementation of corrective action plans.
• Emphasizes guest satisfaction during all departmental meetings and focuses on continuous improvement.

Leadership

…applies broad business knowledge and balances both a short- and long-term perspective to generate strategies while leading the organization to achieve them.

• Demonstrates commitment to Westmont Hospitality operating principles and philosophies.
• Holds self and others accountable for achieving results.
• Addresses conflict in a timely manner.
• Contributes to team results.
• Deals with change effectively.
• Makes decisions, including employees/team and commits to a course of action with available information.

Building Relationships

…eliminates insular thinking by fostering a positive climate for work relationships and teams committed to achieving organizational goals and initiatives.  In addition to performance of the essential functions, this position may be required to perform a combination of the following supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the supervisor based upon the particular requirements of the hotel.

• Conducts one on one meeting with Direct Reports to ensure their ongoing development.
• Maintains open channels of communications for all levels (line employees through General Manager) and monitors employee relations.
• Aids in establishing a positive relationship between Hotel Corporation and property owners 
• Ensures all required licenses, permits, contracts, insurance, inspections, are in proper order, with the assistance of GM and Controller.
• Ensures the prompt and proper submission of all corporate, divisional and governmental reports required.
• Surveys and performs property inspections on a daily basis by visually identifying areas of the Hotel for needed improvements such as guest’s rooms, public areas and restaurants.
• Due to the nature of the business the individual may be required to do other duties and special projects as assigned by the supervisor.

Generating Talent

….Proactively identifies and develops talent within the organization

• Hires the best people available from inside and outside Doubletree by Hilton. Hires for talent, diversity and balance of skills. Supports Doubletree’s interviewing tools to ensure hiring decisions are based on the candidate’s job-related talent, skills and competencies.  Maintains succession planning.
• Uses all available on the job training tools for employees; implements and manages training initiatives and conducts training when appropriate; ensures self and direct reports have completed appropriate training classes.
• Manages employee progressive discipline procedures for areas of responsibility.  Ensures each hotel’s policies are administered fairly and consistently.  Ensures disciplinary procedures and documentation are completed according to Employee Handbook. 
• Ensures regular on-going communication is happening in all areas of responsibility to create awareness of business objectives and communicate expectations, recognize performance and produce desired business results. Establishes and maintains open, collaborative relationships with employees and ensures employees do the same within the team.
• Actively solicits feedback, utilizes an “open door” policy and reviews employee satisfaction results to identify and address employee problems and concerns.  Ensures employees are treated fairly and equitably.   Constantly strives to improve employee retention.  Brings issues to the attention of the Controller as necessary.
• Celebrates successes and publicly recognizes the contributions of team members; ensures recognition is taking place across areas of responsibility.  Maintains an on-going employee recognition program.

Organizational Learner

…actively pursues learning and self-development to enhance personal, professional and business growth; shares learning; demonstrates depth of knowledge in technical or specialized area

• Enlivens the hotel culture within the hotel
• Supports Public Relations’ initiatives  
• Maintain a consistent professional and positive attitude when communicating with guests and associates.
• Maintain effective two-way communications that crosses departmental lines.  
• Approach all encounters and actions with guests and associates in a friendly, service oriented manner.  
• Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with the Engineering staff to provide organizational information and educate associates on changes and activities.  
• Communicate Engineering activities and plans with peers and superiors to obtain appropriate consultation, guidance and approval

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Experience  

• Five or more years of related experience in building management/engineering.  
  • This position requires a substantial and successful track record in profitable Engineering management while maintaining integrity and professional    

    bearing.   

• Familiarity with the hospitality industry practices preferred.
  • Minimum of three years of managerial skills as position involves frequent decisions, meeting of deadline, negotiations of contracts of vendors, analytical ability and the planning, organization development and coordination of large scale work projects.

Knowledge and Skills

• The ability to effectively and efficiently schedule, manage and delegate work
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• Ability to read and communicate verbally and in writing 
• Computer literate in MS Word, Excel.  
  • Complex mathematical skills and considerable skill in the use of Excel Spreadsheets and/or calculator to prepare complex mathematical calculations without error, i.e. budgets. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to stand, walk and/or sit and continuously perform essential job functions for duration of shift.
• Must be able to work in hot, cold and wet conditions and be able to stoop, kneel, crawl and climb on all types of surfaces.
• Hearing and visual ability to observe and detect signs of emergency situations.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders at a rapid pace, up to 30 feet in the air.
• Grasping, lifting and holding tools and having good finger dexterity is required.
• Perform tasks requiring bending, stooping, kneeling, and walking significant distances between and within buildings on the property.
• Lifting and moving objects up to 100 pounds.
• Frequent twisting, bending, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, talking, hearing, seeing and smiling.