The Chief Engineer is the heartbeat of hotel operations-responsible for ensuring a seamless, safe, and guest-ready environment each and every day. This leadership role oversees all aspects of hotel maintenance, both preventative and responsive, and plays a key role in delivering a memorable guest experience through operational excellence and attention to detail. From fine-tuning climate control systems to leading a skilled maintenance team, the Chief Engineer keeps everything running like clockwork.
Key Responsibilities: - Lead & Oversee Maintenance Operations: Manage and perform daily preventive and corrective maintenance tasks for hotel systems including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and groundskeeping.
- Respond Rapidly to Service Requests: Coordinate and resolve all engineering service calls with a sense of urgency and professionalism-especially critical areas such as elevator outages or emergency repairs.
- Prioritize Safety & Compliance: Ensure all work complies with brand standards, safety codes, and federal, state, and local regulations. Identify and report hazards or unsafe conditions immediately.
- Manage Emergencies with Confidence: Act as a first responder for engineering-related emergencies. Swiftly report and document incidents including injuries, equipment failure, and damage.
- Drive Efficiency: Maintain organized records of work orders, preventive maintenance, purchases, and inventory. Approve purchase orders and monitor supply usage within budgetary guidelines.
- Lead by Example: Foster a high-performing team environment by setting clear expectations, conducting team meetings, mentoring staff, and reinforcing a culture of accountability and service.
- Champion Guest Satisfaction: Interact with guests in a courteous, professional manner. Address maintenance-related concerns promptly to ensure satisfaction and comfort.
- Uphold Professional Standards: Ensure team compliance with uniform and grooming standards, guest interaction etiquette, and company privacy policies.
- The Company operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, so operational demands require variations in shift days, starting and ending times, and hours worked in a week.
Qualifications: Education & Experience:
- High school diploma or GED required; technical training in building maintenance preferred.
- Minimum 5 years' experience in hotel or commercial building maintenance.
- HVAC certification and EPA Gas Recovery certification strongly preferred.
- Hospitality industry experience is essential.
Skills & Competencies:
- Expert knowledge of hotel systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and life safety.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical manuals, and safety regulations.
- Proven leadership, communication, and time management skills.
- Capable of managing multiple priorities under pressure with a flexible, proactive approach.
- Strong guest service orientation with a calm and solution-focused demeanor.
About WHG: Wurzak Hotel Group (WHG) is a Philadelphia based owner, developer and operator of premium branded full service, extended stay and focus service hotels. WHG's core expertise is its unique ability to develop and operate hotels and food and beverage outlets in an entrepreneurial manner maximizing returns on the investment and developing long term relationships with our guests.
WHG has earned and maintains its competitive advantage by developing talent within the organization who embody the same entrepreneurial spirit of our leadership team and who seek to create value through tireless innovation, tight focus on the operational details and uncompromised guest satisfaction. Wurzak Hotel Group has a proven track record of developing and managing hospitality assets for over 30 years and continues to be recognized as one of the region's top hospitality companies.
Find out more about us on our website or click here to visit our Linkedin page.
The company is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture and does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.