Director of Engineering

Situated in Downtown’s Second Street District, Austin Proper Hotel and Residences is the newest luxury lifestyle hotel in Austin, just steps from Lady Bird Lake, the legendary Austin City Limits music venue and nearby boutiques. With inspiring interiors by Kelly Wearstler and culinary offerings in collaboration with McGuire Moorman Hospitality, Austin Proper offers 238 rooms and suites, a dedicated spa and fitness center, and 9,500 square feet of meeting and event spaces, including a rooftop pool deck offering small-batch tequilas and majestic lake views. Anything less just wouldn’t be Proper.

The Director of Engineering is responsible for all administrative, financial and operating aspects of the hotel as they directly relate to the engineering division. He/she is additionally responsible for the safe and profitable operation of the hotel.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Ensure physical buildings, mechanical equipment, electrical systems, heating, and cooling (HVAC) systems, life safety systems, energy conservation, preventative maintenance programs and grounds are in accordance with federal, state and local laws
• Provide mentorship to field operations to ensure compliance with brand and design standards and quality assurance guidelines to maintain owner and developer assets in top condition
• Conduct written bi-annual property audits to assess maintenance and the property operations, including all mechanical, electrical, HVAC and other related equipment
• Act as the liaison between onsite team(s) and project management and Kelly Wearstler Inc. teams for renovations
• Review and manage partners with the development team on capital expenditure projects
• Efficiently collaborate with all partners, including Brand Team and IT on product initiatives, procedures related to property operations and physical structure of the properties
• Use all third-party service providers to improve effectiveness and efficiency for water treatment programs, elevator maintenance agreements, building management systems, sustainability objectives and deliver the highest product quality and consistency
• Evaluate team member performance by providing supervision and professional development, conducting counseling and evaluations, and delivering recognition and reward
• Assist with the interviewing/onboarding and training compliance of new Engineering staff and provide onsite leadership support as needed
• Reviews monthly financial reports to help provide budgetary insight and direction needed to meet hotel goals
• Develop financial forecasts and actively participate in monthly profit/loss review meetings
• Provide direction to facilities management to meet/exceed quality assurance (QA) audit goals
• Review and approves special projects
• Interacts and communicates with operation and non-operation departments to ensure expectations are met
• Plan, develop, and implement procedures to improve operations
• Review’s production, quality control, facilities reports and statistics
• Complies with regulatory agencies including, but not limited to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), American Nation Standards Institute (ANSI), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Enforces OSHA safety at the hospitality level
• Practices Fire and Life Safety according to the National Fire Protecting Association (NFPA) and established company standards
• Conducts periodic site inspections to ensure standards are met
• Completes all required Company trainings and compliance courses as assigned
• Adheres to Company standards and maintains compliance with all policies and procedures
• Supervise and train all Engineering staff in Customer Service, Empowerment, Standard Operating Procedures and Loss Prevention Standards
• Create, approve and post all Engineering staff schedules according to Proper Hotel standards
• Develop and implement plans to maintain property, equipment, grounds and other assets in an acceptable state of repair
• Create and implement a preventative maintenance program for all hotel equipment
• Ensure that room maintenance requests are handled in a prompt and courteous manner
• Review all guest and colleagues feedback to ensure problems are identified and corrected in a timely manner
• Figures out and creates policies, procedures, and manuals for direct reports
• Establishes' objectives and goals for the team; plans, organizes, and handles workflow
• Assigns, monitors, and reviews work; evaluates direct report’s performance
• Recruit, interview, train, discipline, and terminate direct reports
• Orientate and train direct reports
• Approves time records and time off requests; submits payroll for direct reports
• Investigates and resolves concerns and complaints
• Provide assistance and support; maintains a positive and professional working environment
• Ensure compliance with the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Administer all vendor contracts controlled by the engineering department
• Support and participate in all Hotel programs
• Lead and participate in Hotel Safety Committee meetings
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Education and Qualifications

• At least 5 years of progressive facilities management experience in a hotel or a related field;
• or a 4-year college degree and at least 1 year of related management experience;
• or a 2-year college degree and 3 or more years of related management experience
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Stationary Engineer’s license
• HVAC, electrical, plumbing, boiler operations and general maintenance skills required
• Heavy work – Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and /or 50 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects
• Travel related to company business sometimes required
• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming
• Comply with Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information

Company Overview

Proper Hospitality is made up of a diverse group of passionate individuals who share a common love for hotels and the art of hospitality. Our philosophy is simple: There is a right way to do things and anything less just isn’t proper. We are seeking out the “best of the best” from inside and outside of the industry to work alongside us as we grow a new kind of lifestyle Hospitality Company inspired by a centuries-old tradition. The work is challenging, fast-paced, and rewarding above all.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federal/state protected category.

Proper Hospitality will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances.