Director of Engineering and Security

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About Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square

Located in the prestigious Rittenhouse Square district, the AAA Four Diamond Sofitel Philadelphia offers 306 elegantly appointed guestrooms blending contemporary sophistication with French elegance.

Guests experience the refined French art de vivre, from Liberté Lounge and restaurant to exceptional service delivered by our passionate Heartist® team. The hotel is a preferred destination for both business and leisure travelers and serves as a vibrant hub within Philadelphia’s cultural and corporate community.

As part of Accor’s luxury portfolio, Sofitel Philadelphia offers a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment where leaders are empowered to drive performance, innovation, and exceptional guest experiences.

As Director of Engineering & Security, you will lead all technical, facilities, and security operations of the hotel, ensuring the highest standards of safety, efficiency, sustainability, and guest comfort. This role is critical in driving operational excellence across all building systems while positioning the hotel for long-term performance through innovation, technology integration, and disciplined asset management.

You will oversee the performance, maintenance, and continuous improvement of all infrastructure, including MEP systems, HVAC, electrical distribution, life safety systems, security operations, and building management systems. In parallel, you will champion sustainability initiatives, energy optimization, and emerging technologies—including AI-driven solutions—to enhance operational efficiency and the guest experience.

A hands-on and strategic leader, you will manage the engineering and security teams, external partners, and key ownership relationships, while actively contributing as a member of the Executive Committee to the overall direction and success of the hotel.

Key Responsibilities:

Engineering & Facilities Management

• Lead all engineering operations, ensuring robust preventative and corrective maintenance programs across guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house, and technical plant.
• Oversee all building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, boilers, chillers, pumps, ELV, BMS, generators, fire life safety systems) to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and compliance.
• Drive capital planning (POMEC), asset lifecycle management, and long-term maintenance strategies in close collaboration with ownership.
• Maintain strong ownership relations, providing transparent reporting, proactive recommendations, and strategic guidance on all engineering and capital matters.

Security & Safety Leadership

• Lead and oversee the hotel’s security function, ensuring a safe environment for guests, Heartists, and assets.
• Develop and implement security protocols, emergency response plans, and risk mitigation strategies aligned with luxury standards and local regulations.
• Ensure full compliance with fire, life safety, and crisis management procedures, acting as the lead during emergencies and incident response.

Sustainability & Energy Management

• Act as the hotel’s Sustainability Champion, driving initiatives focused on energy conservation, water efficiency, and waste reduction.
• Monitor and optimize energy consumption, implement cost-saving measures, and support Accor’s environmental commitments.
• Lead sustainability reporting and ensure alignment with corporate ESG goals and certifications.

Technology & Innovation (AI Integration)

• Drive the integration of smart building technologies and AI-driven solutions to enhance predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and operational efficiency.
• Leverage data analytics and automation tools to improve system performance and reduce downtime.
• Partner with corporate and vendors to identify and deploy innovative engineering solutions aligned with future hospitality trends.

IT & Systems Collaboration

• Actively support and participate in IT-related projects impacting infrastructure, systems, and guest experience (network, guest technology, integrations).
• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure alignment between physical infrastructure and digital systems.

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, develop, and inspire a high-performing engineering and security team, fostering accountability, technical excellence, and a luxury service mindset.
• Establish clear SOPs, performance standards, and training programs to ensure consistency and continuous improvement.

Financial & Project Management

• Lead departmental budgeting, forecasting, and cost control, with a strong focus on energy efficiency and ROI-driven decision making.
• Manage vendor relationships, tender processes, and service contracts to ensure quality, value, and compliance.
• Oversee renovation projects and engineering initiatives, ensuring timely delivery, quality execution, and minimal guest disruption.

Executive Committee Contribution

• Actively participate as a member of the Executive Committee, contributing to strategic planning, operational decisions, and overall hotel performance.
• Partner closely with all departments to support service excellence and deliver a seamless luxury guest experience.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field (or equivalent technical certification/experience).
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in hotel engineering, with prior experience as Director of Engineering in a luxury or upscale environment preferred.
• Strong knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BMS, life safety systems) and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Proven experience managing capital projects (POMEC), asset management, and ownership relations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead both Engineering and Security functions, with a strong understanding of risk management and crisis response.
• Experience driving sustainability initiatives, energy optimization, and environmental compliance programs.
• Exposure to smart building technologies, automation systems, and interest in AI-driven operational solutions.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at Executive Committee and ownership level.
• Hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to balance strategic thinking and operational execution.
• Fluent in English; additional languages a plus.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.