Director of Technical Services

Role Overview

The Director of Technical Services leads all engineering, maintenance, and technical operations across the existing hotel portfolio while offering strategic technical expertise and due diligence support for new hotel projects, including HMA and franchise initiatives. This position ensures efficient, safe, and brand-compliant operations for all properties and fosters asset growth through technical analysis, project implementation, and readiness for new openings.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage engineering and maintenance functions for operational hotels, ensuring optimal performance of all systems including MEP, HVAC, life safety, and building management systems.
• Implement and oversee preventive and predictive maintenance schemes to reduce downtime and costs.
• Monitor and guide CapEx planning and spending across the hotel portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations, civil defense mandates, brand standards, as well as health, safety, and environmental guidelines.
• Drive sustainability initiatives aimed at optimizing energy, water, and waste usage.
• Support hotel teams in resolving major technical and operational challenges.
• Conduct technical due diligence for new hotel opportunities, reviewing building conditions, MEP lifecycle and upgrades, associated risks, and CapEx needs.
• Contribute to feasibility assessments, technical budgeting, development cost analysis, project timelines, and phasing plans, assisting in negotiations by identifying technical risks and cost impacts.
• Review and approve design proposals related to architecture, interior design, and MEP, ensuring compliance with brand standards, operational efficiency, and cost targets.
• Provide value engineering advice to optimize quality and cost.
• Coordinate activities with consultants, developers, and brand representatives.
• Oversee renovation, refurbishment, and new construction projects ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery aligned with specifications.
• Lead technical aspects of new hotel pre-opening phases including systems commissioning, snagging, defect resolution, and operational readiness.
• Manage procurement processes for technical equipment and service agreements, including annual maintenance contracts.
• Develop and control annual CapEx budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure investments generate returns.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities within engineering operations and provide technical insights for asset management and ownership reports.
• Establish and maintain relationships with technical vendors and contractors, negotiate service contracts, and maintain service quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Maintain compliance with local authorities and permits; oversee life safety and emergency preparedness systems.
• Create and implement standard operating procedures and technical standards across all properties, identifying and mitigating risks.
• Lead, mentor, and standardize engineering teams and practices across properties, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 12 to 15 years of expertise in hospitality engineering or technical services, with at least 5 years in senior regional or corporate leadership roles.
• Experience in hotel engineering operations, new hotel development, pre-opening activities, and CapEx planning and management.
• Familiarity with HMA contract structures and working with multiple hotel brands is highly desirable.

Core Competencies

• In-depth technical knowledge across MEP systems and hotel infrastructure.
• Strategic mindset combined with strong commercial insight.
• Proven project management and execution skills.
• Financial expertise related to CapEx, budgeting, and ROI analysis.
• Effective stakeholder management across owners, brands, and consultants.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities under pressure.