PM Engineering Operations Director

CBRE; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE in New York City seeks a Director of Engineering Operations to guide technical strategy for a mixed portfolio across NYC and suburbs. The role emphasizes safety, building performance, and long-term compliance with climate and energy standards.

You will oversee on-site and remote teams, manage capital projects, and collaborate with property management to ensure cost-effective maintenance and reliable operations. Strong communication and vendor management are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial real estate operations or facilities management.
• Deep expertise in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire/life safety systems; building automation.
• Proven ability to lead on-site and remote teams across multiple assets.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance for engineers and maintenance staff from entry level to Supervising Chief Engineer.
• Report to Property Management Market Leader for New York and guide staff on complex engineering issues, maintenance, safety and capital projects.
• Collaborate with enterprise teams to execute safety, preventive maintenance, and capital project strategies.
• Develop property budgets for capital expenditures, maintenance, and repairs.
• Conduct Engineering Operations Reviews to assess performance and ensure compliance with guidelines.
• Perform property walkthroughs and inspections of major systems to support due diligence.
• Create RFPs and manage contractor prequalification, bidding, and selection for capital projects and large repairs.
• Supervise large or complex capital projects and site improvements; secure construction management fees as per PMA terms.
• Work with leadership to make project recommendations and ensure follow-through to completion.
• Maintain relations with vendors and consulting engineers to meet policies, codes, and schedules.

Skills

Leadership

Engineering management

Strategic planning

Vendor management

Communication skills

MS Office / CMMS knowledge

Tools

Angus CMMS

Building Engines

Job description

About The Role:

In this role, the Director of Engineering Operations will provide technical guidance for a commercial, retail, and industrial portfolio in New York City and the suburban NYC metropolitan area.

The position will work closely with outsourced service providers and internal staff to ensure that each property meets or exceeds the Company's Global Standards for quality service, safety, and professional appearance.

Candidate will have an engineering background in commercial real estate operations or facilities management with deep expertise in the operation and maintenance of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire/life safety systems as well as building automation systems. Candidate will also have experience overseeing capital projects and large repairs and maintenance projects related to building infrastructure and site improvements. A proven track record leading on-site teams as well as remote team members is a must.

Candidate must have working knowledge of the NYC Climate Mobilization Act, and in particular Local Law 97 relating to the commitment to achieve certain reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Candidate will have direct engineering experience in developing plans and strategies for commercial buildings achieving long term compliance with the various local laws comprised under the Act.

The ideal candidate will have prior exposure to more than one asset type; at minimum, the candidate should have significant experience with commercial office buildings (both Class A high-rise and Class B suburban office) or asset types with similar breadth and complexity of engineered systems. Candidate must demonstrate success in a fast-paced and flexible environment and be able to work effectively across all levels of the organization from building maintenance technicians to senior executives. Strong verbal and written communication skills are critical, as is proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and computerized maintenance management systems (e.g., Angus, Building Engines, etc.) for preventive maintenance, scheduled repairs, and tenant requests.

What You'll Do:

• Provide support and be a resource for engineers and maintenance staff ranging from entry level to Supervising Chief Engineer.


• Report directly to the Property Management Market Leader for New York and provide technical support and guidance to property management staff on complex engineering issues, preventive and predictive maintenance, safety training and standard processes for safety, emergency preparedness and response, and capital project planning and execution.


• Work with enterprise colleagues to implement strategic and operational initiatives related to safety, technical consulting, preventive maintenance, engineering operational performance, capital project supervision and tracking, engineering technology, etc.


• Participate with property management teams in the development of property budgets for capital expenditures, maintenance, and repairs.


• Conduct Engineering Operations Reviews at selected properties on an annual basis to assess operational performance and ensure compliance with operational guidelines.


• Perform property walkthroughs and detailed inspections of major building systems and infrastructure to support transaction due diligence on behalf of investor clients and CBRE brokers.


• Create RFPs and manage the contractor prequalification, bidding, and selection process for capital projects and large repair and maintenance projects.


• Find opportunities to supervise large or complex capital projects related to building infrastructure (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, vertical transportation, curtain wall, roof, etc.) or site improvements (site lighting, flat work, etc.) at CBRE managed properties and work with market leadership to secure construction management fees in accordance with applicable terms of the property management agreement.


• Work with senior leadership and business unit leaders to make project recommendations with follow-through to completion.


• Maintain strong relations with vendors, consulting engineers, manufacturer's representatives, and other third-party service providers to ensure compliance with Company policies, applicable codes/laws/ordinances, quality standards, and schedule requirements.


• Manage the planning, organization, and controls for a major functional area or department. May be responsible for a mix of direct and matrix reports. Approves subordinate's recommendations for staff recruitment, selection, promotion, advancement, corrective action and termination. Effectively recommend same for direct reports to next level management for review and approval. Monitor appropriate staffing levels and reports on utilization and deployment of human resources. Lead and support staff in areas of staffing, selection, training, development, coaching, mentoring, measuring, appraising and rewarding performance and retention. Lead by example and demonstrates behaviors that are consistent with the company's values.