JOB SUMMARY
The Chief Engineer oversees all engineering and maintenance operations, ensuring the hotel’s building, systems, and facilities operate efficiently, safely, and sustainably. The role is responsible for asset protection, preventive maintenance programs, energy management, and full compliance with all legal, safety, and brand standards. As a key member of the leadership team, the Chief Engineer contributes strategically to the hotel’s overall performance, ensuring guest satisfaction, associate engagement, and financial success, while leading the emergency response team for all facility-related issues.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Building Services, or related technical discipline (or equivalent professional qualification).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior engineering or maintenance role within a 4- or 5-star hotel, hospital, or complex facility.
• Proven track record in managing capital projects, sustainability programs, and multidisciplinary technical teams.
CORE WORK ACTIVITIES
Operational Leadership
• Lead and coordinate all maintenance and engineering operations for guestrooms, public areas, meeting rooms, kitchens, parking, and back-of-house spaces.
• Maintain all mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, refrigeration, water treatment, and life safety systems in optimal condition.
• Conduct regular inspections and ensure timely completion of repairs and preventive maintenance using systems such as Transcendent.
• Ensure compliance with Marriott International, Belgian legislation, and hotel safety policies, including fire and life safety, evacuation procedures, and energy conservation programs.
• Supervise and evaluate external contractors to ensure quality, compliance, and cost efficiency.
• Recommend or arrange additional services such as painting, repairs, renovations, or replacement of furnishings and equipment.
• Maintain accurate maintenance logs, reports, and documentation.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Engineering department, in close collaboration with the Director Operations..
Energy & Sustainability
• Drive the hotel’s sustainability agenda, focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and water conservation initiatives.
• Oversee the Energy Management System, ensuring continuous improvement and minimization of the property’s carbon footprint.
• Collaborate with the hotel leadership team to support Marriott’s global sustainability goals and local environmental programs.
Budgeting & Financial Accountability
• Prepare and manage annual Repairs & Maintenance, Utilities, and Capital Expenditure budgets.
• Control departmental expenses while maintaining quality and safety standards.
• Prepare technical specifications, bids, and project documentation for repair, renovation, or upgrade projects.
• Establish priorities for maintenance needs and ensure effective communication of objectives and performance expectations.
Safety, Security & Compliance
• Serve as the Fire, Life, Health & Safety Officer, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations in close collaboration with Security and relevant local authorities.
• Conduct regular fire and safety inspections as per local and Marriott policies.
• Maintain integrity of the hotel’s key management system and oversee safety protocols involving mechanical and electrical systems.
• Implement and enforce safety procedures, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards.
People Leadership
• Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing engineering team; conduct performance reviews and identify training needs.
• Ensure adherence to Marriott SOPs and LSOPs, including disciplinary procedures and documentation.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Lead by example, upholding Marriott’s values, grooming standards, and professional conduct.
• Provide technical and safety training to associates across departments to ensure efficient and safe equipment use.
MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES
Leadership
1. Adaptability - Determines how change impacts self and others; displays flexibility in adjusting priorities; and communicates both the reasons for change and how it impacts the workplace.
2. Communication - Customizes approach to conveying complex information and ideas to others in a convincing and engaging manner; appropriately interprets verbal and non-verbal behavior; and models active listening to ensure understanding..
3. Problem Solving and Decision Making - Models and coaches others on breaking complex issues into manageable parts, identifying and evaluating alternatives and their implications before making decisions, and involving and gaining agreement from others when making key decisions.
4. Professional Demeanor - Exhibits behavioral styles that convey confidence and command respect from others; makes a good first impression and represents the company in alignment with its values.
Managing Execution
5. Building and Contributing to Teams - Leads and participates as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of common goals while fostering cohesion and collaboration among team members.
6. Driving for Results - Sets high standards of performance for self and/or others; assumes responsibility for work objectives; initiates, focuses, and monitors the efforts of self and/or others toward the accomplishment goals; proactively takes action and goes beyond what is required.
7. Planning and Organizing - Gathers information and resources required to set a plan of action for self and/or others; prioritizes and arranges work requirements for self and/or others to accomplish goals and ensure work is completed.
Building Relationships
8. Coworker Relationships - Interacts with others in a way that builds openness, trust, and confidence in the pursuit of organizational goals and lasting relationships.
9. Customer Relationships - Develops and sustains relationships based on an understanding of customer needs and actions consistent with the company’s service standards.
10. Global Mindset - Supports employees and business partners with diverse styles, abilities, motivations, and/or cultural perspectives; utilizes differences to drive innovation, engagement and enhance business results; and ensures employees are given the opportunity to contribute to their full potential.
Generating Talent and Organizational Capability
11. Organizational Capability - Evaluates and adapts the structure of team assignments and work processes to best fit the needs and/or support the goals of an organizational unit.
12. Talent Management - Provides guidance and feedback to help individuals develop and strengthen skills and abilities needed to accomplish work objectives.
Learning and Applying Professional Expertise
13. Applied Learning - Seeks and makes the most of learning opportunities to improve performance of self and/or others.
14. Business Acumen - Understands and utilizes business information to manage everyday operations and generate innovative solutions to approach team, business, and administrative challenges.
15. Technical Acumen - Understands and utilizes professional skills and knowledge in a specific functional area to conduct and manage everyday business operations and generate innovative solutions to approach function-specific work challenges
16. Equipment Maintenance - Knowledge of routine and preventative maintenance of mechanical systems including timely management of the preventative maintenance process to protect an owner's assets.
17. Equipment Selection — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
18. Troubleshooting — Determining causes of mechanical or technological operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
19. Telecommunications — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
20. Purchasing and Materials Management - Knowledge of practices and procedures needed to maintain material, equipment and supplies; including vendor identification and contract negotiation, supply requisition and purchasing, and inventory control.
21. Building and Safety Codes - Knowledge of local and Federal building and safety codes.
22. Emergency Systems - Knowledge of fire prevention, air quality, and emergency power systems. This includes the ability to operate, maintain, and inspect the property’s fire prevention equipment (., sprinkler system, fire alarm), air quality equipment (., carbon monoxide detectors), and emergency power system.
23. Hazardous Materials and Chemicals - The ability to handle and store hazardous materials and chemicals. This includes knowledge of the safety precautions required for each chemical.
24. HVAC/Refrigeration - Knowledge of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, equipment, including boilers, chillers, air handling units/controls, and refrigeration equipment. This includes the ability to inspect, repair, and maintain equipment, charge refrigeration systems, replace air filters, and clean coils.
25. Energy - Knowledge of energy management and efficient operation of the building and associated systems including retro and continuous commissioning and demand side management. This also includes minimizing the carbon footprint and complying with applicable environmental codes.
26. Safety and Personal Protective Equipment - Knowledge of the lock out tag out process and the personal protective equipment (PPE) safety process required (., ear plugs, gloves, respirators, safety glasses) for a given work activity, and correct ways to use the lock out tag out and PPE equipment.
27. Maintenance and Repair - Skill and knowledge in Maintenance and Repair including carpentry, internal surfacing, building repair, electronics, painting, and plumbing.
28. Contract Negotiating - Knowledge and ability to prepare contract documents to formalize business process.
29. Tools and Equipment - The ability to properly and safely operate, maintain, clean, and store various types of hand/power tools, machines, and motor equipment.
30. Water Facility Maintenance and Safety - Knowledge and ability to treat and maintain water for use in primary outlets (., rooms, restaurants, recreation, sewage).
31. Basic Competencies - Fundamental competencies required for accomplishing basic work activities.
32. Basic Computer Skills - Uses basic computer hardware and software (., personal computers, word processing software, Internet browsers, .
33. Mathematical Reasoning - Demonstrates ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly, correctly, and in a way that allows one to solve work-related issues.
34. Oral Comprehension - Demonstrates ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
35. Reading Comprehension - Demonstrates understanding of written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
36. Writing - Communicates effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Physical & Working Conditions
• Combination of office-based administrative work and on-site technical supervision.
• Exposure to mechanical, electrical, and chemical hazards; adherence to safety procedures is mandatory.
• Flexibility to respond to after-hours emergencies or urgent operational needs.
Grooming and Conduct
All associates must maintain a neat, clean, and professional appearance and always comply with Marriott International grooming standards.
Disclaimer
This job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties. The Chief Engineer may be assigned additional responsibilities as required to meet operational needs.
At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.