Director of Engineering

About the role

Mount Nelson, a Belmond hotel in Cape Town, is looking for a Director of Engineering to lead the care, performance and long-term preservation of its physical assets. The role covers engineering operations, preventative maintenance, utilities, sustainability initiatives and capital projects, working closely with hotel leadership and operational teams so that engineering supports both an exceptional guest experience and the long-term value of the property.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Engineering function so that the hotel, facilities, plant and equipment are maintained to five-star standards, with a strong focus on preventative maintenance and operational reliability.
• Protect and enhance physical assets through proactive asset management, lifecycle planning and identification of future maintenance and investment needs.
• Lead capital projects and refurbishments, planned and delivered on time, within budget and with minimal disruption to guests.
• Champion safety, compliance and sustainability, meeting health, safety, statutory and life-safety requirements while improving energy, water and resource efficiency.
• Manage the department's financial performance, including operating budgets, engineering expenditure, service contracts, utilities and capital requirements.
• Lead and develop a high-performing Engineering team, fostering accountability and close collaboration with operational departments.

Required profile

• A relevant engineering or technical qualification and significant experience in engineering or facilities management, ideally in a five-star hotel or luxury hospitality setting.
• Proven experience leading and developing an Engineering team.
• Experience delivering capital projects and managing budgets, utilities, service contracts and capital expenditure.
• Knowledge of health and safety, statutory compliance, life-safety requirements and sustainable engineering practices.
• A proactive, solutions-focused leader with a genuine understanding of luxury hospitality and attention to detail.

What we offer

• Competitive basic salary and benefits.
• Loyalty and recognition rewards programs.
• Employee assistance and wellness programs.