Engineering - Director of Engineering

Director of Engineering

LEGACY is a core value that Halekulani lives by to celebrate our cultural history. For over 100 years, the hotel has welcomed visitors to Waikiki Beach, sharing our gracious hospitality, impeccable service, and unparalleled cuisine. Halekulani and Halepuna Waikiki employees live the legacy through the "art of service."

The Director of Engineering provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the engineering, maintenance, facilities, and infrastructure functions for both Halekulani and Halepuna Waikiki. Responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the maintenance and operation of all building systems, equipment, grounds, and physical assets to ensure safety, reliability, regulatory compliance, and exceptional guest experiences.

Leads a team of engineering managers, maintenance staff, and outside contractors in the execution of preventative maintenance programs, capital improvement projects, energy management initiatives, and facility renovations. Oversees departmental budgets, project planning, staffing, and administrative functions while fostering a culture of accountability, safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Provides leadership during emergency situations and serves as a key business partner in supporting operational excellence across both hotel properties

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Engineering Operations, Building Maintenance & Preventative Maintenance:

• Directs the overall operation, maintenance, repair, and long-term preservation of all building systems and physical assets for Halekulani and Halepuna Waikiki.
• Oversees the maintenance and operation of HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, electrical, water treatment, life safety, kitchen, laundry, pool, spa, and central plant systems.
• Ensures all facilities, guest rooms, public spaces, back-of-house areas, landscaping, and support infrastructure are maintained to luxury hotel standards.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates comprehensive preventative maintenance programs designed to maximize equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and asset longevity.
• Establishes engineering priorities and allocates resources to address operational needs, guest requests, and maintenance requirements across both properties.
• Provides leadership and direction during emergency situations, utility interruptions, equipment failures, and disaster preparedness efforts.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable company policies, building codes, safety regulations, environmental requirements, and governmental standards.

Capital Projects, Planning & Asset Management

• Supports the execution of capital improvement projects, renovations, guest room upgrades, infrastructure replacements, and facility enhancement initiatives.
• Collaborates with Corporate, project managers, consultants, architects, contractors, and hotel leadership teams on project planning and implementation.
• Evaluates building systems and facilities to identify future capital requirements and opportunities for operational improvements.

Administration, Financial Management & Staff Leadership

• Provides leadership and direction to engineering leadership, supervisors, and maintenance personnel across both properties.
• Establishes departmental goals, performance expectations, operating standards, and accountability measures.
• Develops staffing plans, labor utilization strategies, and work schedules that align with operational requirements and business demand.
• Oversees recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, coaching, employee relations, engagement initiatives, succession planning, and corrective action processes within the department.
• Prepares and manages annual operating budgets, capital expenditure budgets, forecasts, and long-range asset management plans.
• Analyzes financial performance, identifies cost-saving opportunities, and ensures effective expense control while maintaining service standards.
• Reviews and approves departmental purchases, invoices, contracts, work orders, and vendor agreements.
• Ensures all permits, certifications, inspections, and regulatory documentation remain current and compliant.
• Leads departmental meetings and daily communication processes to ensure alignment, accountability, and timely completion of work.
• Maintains written standards, policies, procedures, and emergency response plans for engineering operations.

Interdepartmental Collaboration & Guest Service

• Partners with hotel leadership and department heads to ensure engineering support is responsive to operational and guest needs.
• Maintains strong working relationships with ownership representatives, contractors, vendors, consultants, and external agencies.
• Promotes exceptional guest service by ensuring engineering issues are resolved promptly and professionally.
• Supports organizational initiatives and contributes to strategic planning efforts across both properties.
• Performs all other duties as may be required or assigned.

Supervisory Requirements

Reports To: Executive Assistant Manager (Direct)

Director of Facilities Management & Asset Enhancement (Indirect)

Supervises: Engineering Leadership and Administrative staff, Maintenance Staff (1st, 2nd, 3rd Class) & Contractor/Vendors

Education/Experience

• Minimum seven (7) years of progressive engineering and facilities management experience in a hotel, resort, luxury residential, commercial, or similar environment.
• Minimum five (5) years of leadership experience managing engineering, maintenance, or facilities teams.
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Licenses/Certifications

• Certified in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering preferred
• Certification in First Aid/CPR

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Proven experience and a solid understanding of all aspects of facilities management including but not limited to plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, electrical, life safety, spa and pool utilities, and carpentry.
• Knowledge of fire, water, temporary power, septic, onsite water treatment, and irrigation systems. Knowledgeable of chillers, cooling towers, pneumatics, control systems, water systems, boilers, refrigerators, compressors, etc.
• Working knowledge codes, including but not limited to plumbing, electrical, national/local fire, and State of Hawaii mechanical.
• Strong knowledge of project planning, project management methodologies, and capital improvement execution.
• Ability to manage multiple large-scale projects simultaneously while maintaining daily operational effectiveness.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and capital expenditure planning.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing engineering and maintenance teams.
• Knowledge of luxury hotel operations and service standards.
• Proficiency with CMMS platforms, project management software, Microsoft Office Suite, and maintenance management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Mental Demands

• Ability to analyze operational data and develop strategic solutions for facility and asset management.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, negotiation, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented and possess the ability to multi-task.
• Must be able to comprehend, analyze, organize and prioritize a wide variety of information within time limitations.
• Requires the ability to read and perform mathematical calculations.
• Requires concentration, alertness and attention to detail.
• Must be able to perform under stressful conditions while maintaining a courteous and professional demeanor.
• Must be able to work collaboratively with other team members.

Physical Demands

Activity - Over 2/3 of the time - About 2/3 of the time - About 1/3 of the time - Less than 1/3 of the time - Seldom or Never

Sitting - X

Climbing - X

Stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling - X

Standing - X

Walking - X

Handling or fingering - X

Eye-hand-foot coordination - X

Use of vision - X

Activity - Less than 25 lbs - 25 to 50 lbs. - More than 50 lbs.

Pushing - X

Pulling - X

Lifting - X

Carrying - X

Communication Demands

Activity - Over 2/3 of the time - About