Chief Engineer

NH Collection Sydney is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Chief Engineer to lead the hotel's engineering and maintenance operations during pre-opening and beyond. Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring the property is maintained to the highest standards while delivering a safe, efficient and exceptional environment for guests and team members alike.

About the Role

As Chief Engineer, you will lead all aspects of the hotel's engineering and technical operations, balancing day-to-day maintenance with long-term strategic planning. You will oversee preventative maintenance programs, capital projects, contractor management, statutory compliance and sustainability initiatives while developing a high-performing engineering team.

As part of the pre-opening team, you will be instrumental in preparing the property for launch, ensuring all facilities, systems and operational standards are in place to deliver an exceptional guest experience from day one.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the hotel's engineering and maintenance operations.
• Ensure the reliable, safe and efficient performance of all hotel facilities and technical systems.
• Manage preventative maintenance programs, repairs, refurbishments and technical projects.
• Ensure full compliance with statutory, fire, health and safety requirements.
• Conduct regular inspections of guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house facilities and plant rooms.
• Prepare and manage engineering budgets, including payroll, operational expenditure and project costs.
• Monitor and improve energy and water consumption through sustainability initiatives.
• Manage external contractors and service providers to ensure quality, compliance and value.
• Lead, coach and develop the engineering team to create a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Support all pre-opening engineering activities, project coordination and operational readiness planning.

The ideal candidate will have

• Proven experience as a Chief Engineer, Maintenance Manager or senior engineering leader within a hotel environment.
• Experience working within premium, luxury or upper-upscale hotels.
• Strong technical knowledge across building systems, maintenance operations and asset management.
• Demonstrated experience managing compliance, safety and risk requirements.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, contractors and capital projects.
• Formal qualifications in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline will be highly regarded.
• A hands-on leadership style with the ability to solve problems and remain composed under pressure.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and team development skills.
• Experience managing refurbishments, asset improvement projects and contractor relationships.
• Previous pre-opening experience will be highly regarded but is not essential.

At Minor Hotels, we value our people as the heart of our success. Joining Minor means, you’ll enjoy a rewarding package designed to support your professional growth, wellbeing, and work-life balance:

• Career Growth :  Learning and development  programs to boost your career.
• Exclusive Hotel Deals : 50% off stays at Minor Hotels in Australasia; 20% off for friends and family.
• Global Perks :  International accommodation discounts across our hotel brands .
• Retail Rewards : Cashback  and discounts  at 400+ top retailers in AU/NZ.
• Experiences : Discounted entertainment and activities.
• Banking and Insurance :  Exclusive health insurance offers and workplace banking benefits .
• Wellness Boost : EAP and tailored wellness support

Our people drive the success of our business; We are a dynamic organisation dedicated to delivering exceptional guest experiences. We invest in your skills and foster a workplace culture that celebrates innovation, collaboration, and personal growth.

Currently, we are only accepting applications from candidates who have working rights within Australia or New Zealand.