Chief Engineer

Company Description

As part of Minor Hotels’ continued growth in the region, NH Collection is launching in Australasia with a striking new luxury property in Sydney, bringing refined European hospitality, elevated design and world‑class service to one of the region’s most dynamic cities.

Joining Minor means you become a partner in a diverse, expanding global organisation with limitless opportunities to thrive and achieve. Minor International includes three key business units: Minor Hotels, Minor Food, and Minor Lifestyle.

Minor Hotels is an international hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a diverse portfolio of over 560 properties. Through our Anantara, Avani, Elewana, Oaks, NH Hotels, NH Collection, nhow and TIVOLI properties, Minor Hotels operates in 50+ countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and South America.

Job Description

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.

Qualifications

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.

Additional Information

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.