Assistant Chief Engineer: Pre-Opening Lead HVAC & Safety

Delano Hotels; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive package

Development opportunities

Global brand experiences

Job summary

Delano London is preparing to open as a landmark luxury hotel in London. We seek an exceptional Assistant Chief Engineer to join the pre-opening team, supporting the Chief Engineer in planning and executing maintenance and safety objectives across the property.

You will help oversee the engineering team, coordinate daily operations, monitor HVAC and life-safety systems, and ensure timely completion of repairs and projects while upholding the hotel's appearance and guest comfort.

Qualifications

• Strong practical knowledge of building services and maintenance.
• Good understanding of HVAC, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and water systems.
• Experience managing or supervising engineering teams.
• Experience working with contractors and specialist service providers.
• Good understanding of statutory compliance and planned preventative maintenance.
• Strong health & safety awareness.
• Excellent fault-finding and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Good IT and maintenance-management-system skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A professional approach with a strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Support the Chief Engineer in day-to-day management of the Engineering Department.
• Lead and supervise engineers and maintenance colleagues, ensuring high standards of workmanship and professionalism.
• Carry out regular inspections of guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house areas, plant rooms and building services.
• Manage and prioritise reactive maintenance requests and ensure timely resolution.
• Support the implementation and delivery of the hotel's planned preventative maintenance programme.
• Monitor critical plant and systems including HVAC, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and life-safety systems.
• Maintain accurate engineering records, asset registers, maintenance logs and statutory compliance documentation.
• Support statutory inspections and testing, ensuring actions are identified, tracked and closed out.
• Assist with fire safety systems, emergency lighting, fire doors, life-safety equipment and other critical compliance requirements.
• Ensure accessibility and guest-safety equipment are regularly inspected and maintained.
• Manage and supervise external contractors, ensuring safe working practices and proper permits.
• Ensure contractors comply with RAMS, permits to work and health & safety requirements.
• Assist with energy, water and utility monitoring and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Respond to engineering emergencies and minimise disruption to guests and hotel operations.
• Support the Chief Engineer with budgeting, procurement and control of engineering expenditure.
• Maintain engineering spares, tools and consumables.
• Collaborate with Housekeeping, Front Office, F&B, Security and other departments to resolve issues.
• Participate in on-call and emergency response rota.
• Promote health, safety, compliance and continuous improvement.
• Ensure all work complies with legislation, British Standards and hotel procedures.

Skills

Strong practical knowledge of building

Understanding of HVAC

Electrical systems knowledge

Mechanical systems knowledge

Plumbing and water systems knowledge

Experience supervising engineering

Experience with contractors

Statutory compliance knowledge

Health & safety awareness

Fault-finding and problem-solving

Prioritisation in fast-paced env

IT and maintenance-management-system

Communication and interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Education

City & Guilds / NVQ / BTEC – electrical or mechanical qualifications

Job description

Delano London is preparing to open as a landmark luxury hotel in London. We seek an exceptional Assistant Chief Engineer to join the pre-opening team, supporting the Chief Engineer in planning and executing maintenance and safety objectives across the property.

You will help oversee the engineering team, coordinate daily operations, monitor HVAC and life-safety systems, and ensure timely completion of repairs and projects while upholding the hotel's appearance and guest comfort.