Chief Engineer - W Florence

ABOUT THE BRAND

W Hotels’ mission is to Ignite Curiosity, Expand Worlds. We are a place to experience life. We’re here to open doors and open minds. With us, there’s always more. We dare to deliver a different kind of luxury. One that revels in bold ideas and indulges in the unexpected. We believe luxury is the freedom to be yourself and explore desires: whatever, whenever. Let go, let loose - that’s half the fun.

ABOUT THE PROPERTY

Florence’s old Grand Hotel Majestic will be opening in the first quarter of 2025. It will be transformed into the Tuscan city’s newly opening W Florence. After its debut in Rome last December, with the W Rome-Marriott just off central Via Veneto, Marriott’s luxury lifestyle brand.  

Located steps from Florence’s world-renowned art, thriving dining scene and celebrated shopping destination Via de’Tornabuoni, W Florence is well-situated to offer guests the very best of the city at their doorstep. The hotel will feature 120 guestrooms, including 20 suites. The Extreme WOW Suite, W’s take on the Presidential Suite, will offer a large living space and private terrace with stunning views across the Duomo and the Santa Maria Novella church. Adding rare and much-sought-after inside and outside living spaces, the ground floor, which will house the W Lounge and Living Room, will seamlessly blend around a central partially covered courtyard.

JOB SUMMARY

Provides a high level of property maintenance knowledge. Position has overall responsibility for maintaining the building, grounds and physical plant with particular attention towards safety, security and asset protection. Accountable for managing the budget, capital expenditure projects, preventative maintenance and energy conservation. Develops and implements strategies that will deliver products and services, which meet or exceed the needs and expectations of guests and employees while maximizing the financial performance. Responsible for maintaining standards and regulatory requirements. Leads the emergency response team for all facility issues.

CANDIDATE PROFILE 

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED; 6 years experience in the engineering and maintenance or related professional area; technical training in HVAC-R/Electrical/Plumbing.

OR

• 2-year degree from an accredited university in Building and Construction, Engineering, Mechanics, or related major; 4 years experience in the engineering and maintenance or related professional area; technical training in HVAC-R/Electrical/Plumbing.

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

Managing Engineering Operations and Budgets

• Works with property and regional engineering leadership team to determine how Engineering is performing against budget and highlights areas of concern to leadership.

• Manages the physical plant including equipment, refrigeration, HVAC, plumbing, water treatment and electrical systems in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.

• Administers service contracts to support property needs.

• Ensures fire crew has complete understanding of all procedures, equipment and alarms.

• Coaches and supports engineering leadership team to effectively manage controllable expenses (e.g., wages, heat, light and power, water consumption, tools and equipment, grounds keeping supplies, uniforms, vendors, service agreements, inventory, etc.).

• Manages and controls heat, light and power.

• Develops an engineering operating strategy that is aligned with the property/brand’s business strategy.

• Develops and manages Engineering budget.

• Ensures integration of departmental goals in game plans.

• Oversees execution of long term preventative maintenance and 10 year asset protection plans.

• Reviews financial reports and statements to determine how Engineering is performing against budget.

• Addresses potential areas of concern and proposing solutions to owners in a proactive manner.

• Communicates a clear and consistent message regarding departmental goals to produce desired results.

• Supervises construction to ensure timely completion of projects within budgetary guidelines.

Maintaining Engineering Standards

• Ensures compliance with state, local and federal regulations.

• Maintains property life safety systems (e.g., fire fighting equipment, sprinkler systems, and alarm systems).

• Ensures building and equipment licenses, permits and certifications are current.

• Ensures property policies are administered fairly and consistently.

Managing Profitability

• Manages areas of operation to budget by reviewing operating statements, budget worksheets and payroll progress reports.

• Monitors and manages the payroll function.

• Manages department's controllable expenses to achieve or exceed budgeted goals.

• Participates in the development of department's capital expenditure goals; manages projects as needed.

• Participates in the budgeting process for areas of responsibility.

• Prepares weekly and period end P&L critiques.

• Understands the impact of department's operation on the overall property financial goals; educates staff on details as appropriate.

• Reviews and manages controllable expenses such as, heat, light, power, water consumption, tools and equipment, grounds keeping supplies, uniforms, vendors, service agreements, etc.

Conducting Human Resources Activities

• Ensures employees are treated fairly and equitably.

• Ensures disciplinary procedures and documentation are completed according to Standard and Local Operating Procedures (SOPs and LSOPs) and support the Peer Review Process.

• Utilizes employee feedback and an “open door” policy to identify and address employee problems or concerns in a timely manner.

• Celebrates successes by publicly recognizing the contributions of team members.

• Resolves guest problems and complaints.

• Brings issues to the attention of Human Resources as necessary.

• Ensures that regular on-going communication takes place throughout the engineering operation to communicate daily operations activities, set expectations and create awareness of business objectives.