Task Force Director of Engineering (Remote)

Sonesta International Hotels; Newton (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan with Company 
–

Paid Vacation and Sick Days

Hotel Discounts

Job summary

Sonesta International Hotels is seeking a Maintenance Director to lead the engineering team in maintaining building and guest room systems, ensuring reliability and guest satisfaction.

The role focuses on capital improvements, budgeting, and cross‑department collaboration to drive service quality and operational efficiency across properties.

Qualifications

• Experience leading maintenance teams in large facilities.
• Ability to manage capital projects, budgeting and contractor selection.
• Strong knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) and life/safety.
• Proven vendor management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct maintenance of buildings and guest rooms.
• Lead capital improvement projects including budgeting, bidding, and contractor selection.
• Coordinate emergency procedures and preparedness with General Manager.
• Audit facilities and coordinate with Operations for upgrades.
• Mentor Directors of Engineering and Maintenance Manager on performance.

Skills

Leadership

Facilities management

Budgeting

Vendor management

Preventive maintenance

Building systems

Problem solving

Communication

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technical Field

Tools

Transcendent

ALICE

INNCOM

Verdant

Job description

We’re Sonesta International Hotels.

The 8th largest hotel company in the U.S.—and growing fast.

An epic blend of full-service and focused hotels in major cities, Sonesta’s uniquely diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties makes us everywhere you want to be. Driven by the human side of hospitality, we deliver service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and experiences that truly connect.

Together We Thrive

—bringing quality, value, and amazing hospitality to every guest, every stay, across 1000+ properties in eight countries and counting.

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of Engineering, Directs and supervises the Maintenance staff as requested by General Manager. Directs a team responsible for the maintenance of buildings and grounds, including renovations, expansions, and improvements.

Management-level associates are expected to work as much of each workday as is necessary to complete their job responsibilities; for OEM associates, overtime does apply and is calculated accordingly. Teamwork, collaboration and proactive communication across both Operations and Engineering management are critical to this position’s success.

The ideal candidate has a passion for responding and solving problems, provides strong customer service, and constantly seeks to improve upon current situations through clear communication, accountability, and coaching. A strong background in facilities systems and preventative maintenance programs across typical building disciplines (i.e. HVAC, roofs, electrical, plumbing, etc.), as well as building management systems, is expected.

Job Description

Principle duties and responsibilities (Essential Functions) include:

Operational/Functional

• Maintain, coordinate and monitor preventive maintenance programs of all building equipment and guest rooms
• Assist General Managers with all aspects of Capital Improvement Projects including budgeting, forecasting, bidding and selection of potential contractors. Approver of Project Approval Requests for assigned properties
• Assists General Manager with all Emergency procedures and preparedness.
• Follow up on projects and assignments, coordinated with General Managers
• Audit and inspect assigned facilities as needed, in coordination with Operations management
• Manage third party vendors and national account partners, as required, setting clear expectations and accountability
• Foster clear communications with key stakeholders and management of assigned properties

Strategy and Planning

• Develop, recommend and direct the operation, policies, procedures, plans and programs of the Engineering Department
• Proactively track Capital & Operations projects, asset inventory, and contracts
• Participate in Standard Operating Procedures development and rollout
• Review potential new systems, equipment, and programs and recommend for use to senior management and business unit partners
• Actively participate and represent the Engineering team in renovation projects and conversions of new properties up to and including punch walks before inventory is turned over to the operations team

Financial Management

• Analyze accounting records and data for operating costs and variance reports.
• Use approved contracts for services.
• Identify opportunities to improve overall bottom line of Property, Operations and Maintenance expenditures

Managing your Team

• Interview, train and coach Directors of Engineering, Chief Engineer, and Maintenance Manager applicants.
• Ensure team members receive proper training applicable to their position and career aspirations and in accordance with company policy and/or local laws
• Responsible for monitoring, measuring, and recognizing performance of team members who directly report to the role and indirect reports
• Support, comply with and promote company initiatives, policies and guidelines.
• Handle employee issues in a professional and timely manner

Leading with Passion

• Responsible for ensuring success through the eyes of employees, guests, and owners
• Utilize and collaborate with resources across different departments and corporate office
• Capable of influencing employees to perform to their highest standard and establishing a trusting environment to enrich the culture
• Focus on the mission and well-being of the department, hotel, and company as a whole
• Lead by example and operate with integrity and respect
• Inspire your team to embrace and demonstrate our values and GUEST People Standards

Qualifications And Skills

A candidate for this position must possess the following applicable knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to demonstrate and provide applicable examples to support his/her competence.

• Track record of delivering exceptional support to colleagues, clients, customers and/or guests
• Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments, and enforce hotel’s standard policies, procedures, and programs
• An ability to respond quickly and develop solutions for common inquiries, complaints, and urgent issues, and deal with a wide variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to clearly present action plans and updates to senior management and ownership representatives on key projects and urgent matters
• Experience in working with and managing third party vendors, establishing partnerships as needed, and setting clear expectations and accountability
• Working knowledge of life/safety systems, plumbing codes, electrical codes, national/local fire codes, local mechanical codes, water treatment program, blueprints/schematics.
• Demonstrable expertise in analysis and action taking
• Excellent oral and written communication
• Excellent organizational skills
• Appropriate professional appearance and demeanorAbility to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Familiarity and experience with large building facilities system (i.e. central plants, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, water systems, generators, etc.)
• Familiarity and experience using hotel & building systems (i.e. Transcendent, ALICE, INNCOM, Verdant, Saflok, HVAC BMS, etc.)
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Bachelors or associate’s degree in Technical Field or Engineering preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent vocational training acceptable based on work experience, minimum of 7 years direct experience in the maintenance of mechanical, life/safety, electrical and plumbing operations of hotels or commercial buildings, and 5 years supervisory experience.

Additional Job Information/Anticipated

Pay Range

Pay Range: $110,000 to $125,000. Base pay offer may vary depending on various factors, including but not limited to job related knowledge, skills and job specific overall experience.

Benefits

Sonesta recognizes that benefits play a vital role in helping ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families. We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account with Company Match
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Sonesta Hotel Discounts
• Educational Assistance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Various Employee Perks and Discounts
• Hospital Indemnity
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance

Sonesta is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.