Cluster Director of Engineering

Company description

Hotel overview:

Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont Hotel, is located only a few steps away from the Masjid Al Haram and the Holy Ka’aba. This 86-story hotel, one of the world’s tallest, is the focal point of the Abraj Al Bait Complex, part of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project, and is the iconic symbol of hospitality in the Holy City. The hotel’s authentic hospitality is seen throughout 1650 guest rooms and suites, which are thoughtfully and elegantly appointed - with extravagant amenities and five-star services that allow for peaceful reflection and repose.

Raffles Makkah Palace promises the exceptional standards inherent in the Raffles name and enhanced by Arab hospitality values. Raffles Makkah Palace offers 219 suites and duplex villas with breathtaking views of the Masjid Al Haram, the Holy Ka’aba, and the city. The hotel combines the best of local cuisine and international dishes in each of its four outlets, creating a unique and welcoming atmosphere in this dining setting. Guests can also indulge and immerse themselves in a relaxing sensory experience in our world-renowned spa and fitness center or hold high-powered business gatherings in any of our state-of-the-art meeting rooms.

Swissôtel Makkah is Swissotel’s first hotel to open in Saudi Arabia. The hotel offers 1487 elegant rooms and suites with modern design, complementing the values of today’s Arab culture. As part of the prestigious Abraj Al Bait complex, the deluxe Swissotel Makkah is a contemporary five-star hotel located in close proximity to the holy Masjid Al Haram, overlooking the Ka’aba and the Grand Mosque. Swissôtel Makkah is part of a new urban development, including two restaurants, one executive lounge, two meeting rooms, and a business center. It has private entrances that make it easier for pilgrims to reach Al Masjid Al Haram.

Swissôtel Al Maqam is Swissôtel’s second hotel to open in Saudi Arabia. The hotel offers 1624 elegant rooms and suites with modern design, complementing the values of today’s Arab culture. As part of the Abraj Al Bait complex, the deluxe Swissôtel Al Maqam is a contemporary five-star hotel located in close proximity to the Masjid Al Haram, overlooking the Holy Ka’aba and the Grand Mosque. Swissôtel Al Maqam is part of a new urban development, including two restaurants, one executive lounge, two meeting rooms, and a business center. It has private entrances that make it easier for our valuable guests to reach Al Masjid Al Haram.

Job description

The Cluster Director of Engineering is responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and technical governance for the Engineering and Safety functions across FRSS hotels by working closely with hotel leadership teams and stakeholders.

The role ensures the reliability, safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability of all engineering operations, assets, infrastructure, and building systems while maintaining compliance with company standards, brand requirements, and regulatory obligations.

The Cluster Director of Engineering drives engineering performance, supports business objectives, and ensures that all properties maintain a safe, well-maintained, compliant, and guest-ready environment.

Main duties & responsibilities

Cluster engineering leadership & governance:

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Engineering and Safety functions across FRSS hotels, ensuring alignment with operational objectives, brand standards, and asset performance goals.

FRSS are physically linked and share core utilities; hence, enable integrated operations and maintain engineering governance frameworks, policies, procedures, and performance standards to ensure consistency across FRSS hotels.

Oversee the centralized shared functions such as Safety and Compliance, Central Store and Logistics, Workshops (Carpentry, Paint, MEP), PMP (Room Care Program), and Engineering command center.

Lead and mentor the robust succession and development of Engineering leaders and teams across FRSS hotels by centralized coaching and mentoring, building bench strength, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Engineering operations & asset reliability:

One clear escalation path to ownership and asset management, reducing duplication; oversee the effective operation, maintenance, and lifecycle management of all building systems, utilities, infrastructure, and engineering assets across FRSS hotels.

Ensure the uniform application of Accor technical standards and MEP/FLS compliance at FRSS hotels.

Ensure the implementation of preventive and predictive maintenance programs that maximize asset reliability, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction.

Monitor engineering performance metrics and operational KPIs, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance overall asset performance.

Incorporate energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction goals aligned with Accor standards.

Ensure specialized fire life safety, water hygiene, public health, and operational compliance regimes are implemented for Luxury Hotel - FRSS facilities in line with applicable KSA regulatory and public health requirements.

Coordinate maintenance, testing, inspection, and contractor support for engineering assets to maintain safe, reliable, and guest-ready operations.

Optimize resource deployment, technical manpower, and specialist skills to where demands are highest across FRSS hotels.

Capital planning & project management:

Lead the development and execution of annual CAPEX plans, engineering budgets, and long-term asset replacement strategies across FRSS.

Oversee engineering projects, renovations, upgrades, and new initiatives, ensuring delivery within approved budgets, timelines, and quality standards.

Collaborate with internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and suppliers to ensure successful project execution and compliance with company requirements.

Skills

Strong leadership and people management capabilities.

Excellent strategic planning and decision-making skills.

Strong project management and execution skills.

Financial acumen with the ability to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost optimization initiatives.

Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities across a portfolio environment.

Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.

Ability to drive innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

High level of organizational, planning, and change management capability.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline is required; Master’s degree in Engineering Management or a related field is preferred.

Minimum 10-15 years of progressive engineering leadership experience within hospitality, and multi-property experience.

Proven experience managing engineering operations across multiple properties or large-scale assets.

Additional information

Our commitment to diversity & inclusion:

We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit, and promote diverse talent.

Why work for Accor?

We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.

By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo!