Director of Engineering

COREcruitment Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

COREcruitment Ltd is seeking a Director of Engineering for a luxury London hotel. The role combines hands‑on leadership with strategic oversight of engineering operations, maintenance, and capital projects to uphold exceptional guest experiences.

You will lead a team across HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems, manage budgets and timelines, and drive refurbishments while maintaining regulatory compliance in a high‑profile environment.

Job description

Director of Engineering - Luxury London Hotel

We are looking for an experienced Director of Engineering to join a renowned, independently minded luxury property in Central London. This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who understands the demands of operating a distinctive, high‑profile property, where the building, its facilities and overall atmosphere are integral to the guest experience.

The role offers a balance of day‑to‑day engineering operations and significant project responsibility. Alongside overseeing the property's maintenance, building services and compliance, you will take the lead on engineering projects, refurbishments and capital improvements, from initial planning through to completion. You will need to be comfortable managing contractors, controlling budgets and timelines, and delivering works to a high standard without compromising the smooth running of the operation.

As Director of Engineering, you will lead the engineering function, ensuring the property is maintained to an exceptional standard while taking a proactive approach to the long‑term upkeep and improvement of the building. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the detail, takes ownership of projects and can balance technical expertise with the practical demands of a busy luxury hospitality environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the engineering and maintenance team, fostering a proactive, service‑focused culture.
• Oversee all building services, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, fire safety and life safety systems.
• Lead engineering projects from initial planning through to execution and completion, managing budgets, timelines, contractors and quality standards.
• Manage capital expenditure projects, refurbishments, equipment upgrades and ongoing property improvements.
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance programmes to ensure the long‑term integrity and performance of the building.
• Ensure full compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, statutory inspections, fire regulations and other regulatory requirements.
• Manage external contractors, consultants and suppliers, ensuring work is delivered to the required standards.
• Monitor departmental budgets, control expenditure and identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency and operational performance.
• Work closely with senior management and other departments to ensure engineering operations support the overall guest experience.
• Respond effectively to operational issues and provide practical solutions in a demanding, guest‑focused environment.

Requirements:

• Previous experience as a Director of Engineering, Chief Engineer, Head of Engineering or a comparable senior engineering position.
• A proven track record of leading and delivering engineering projects, including refurbishments, capital works, building upgrades or major maintenance programmes.
• Strong technical knowledge of building services, mechanical and electrical systems and property maintenance.
• Experience managing contractors, project budgets, timelines and multiple priorities simultaneously.
• A strong understanding of health and safety, statutory compliance and building regulations.
• Demonstrable leadership skills, with the ability to motivate teams and manage external stakeholders effectively.
• A hands‑on, solutions‑driven approach and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining exceptional standards.