JOB DESCRIPTION: TECHNICAL SERVICES
Overview
Technical Services UHM is responsible for overseeing all technical, engineering, and project-related functions across UHM-managed hotels and developments. This role ensures that all properties meet UHM's brand standards, operational requirements, safety regulations, and long-term asset value objectives.
Technical Services incharge plays a critical role in both operating hotels and new developments, acting as the technical custodian from project planning and pre-opening through post-opening operations. This position works closely with Operations, Development, Owners, Consultants and Contractors to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and fully aligned with UHM's operational expectations.
This role will play a key and hands-on role in the renovation of the Fairmont Palm, Voco JLT, and Creekside Hotel projects, supporting design review, technical approvals, site execution, and successful handover to operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership & Asset Management
- Provide overall technical leadership across all UHM-managed hotels, ensuring optimal performance of building systems, plant, equipment and infrastructure
- Establish and enforce UHM engineering standards, preventive maintenance programs and lifecycle asset management plans
- Ensure all hotels operate safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with local regulations, fire life safety requirements and standards
- Development & Project Support
- Play a key role in the technical planning and execution of the renovation works at the Fairmont Palm, Voco JLT, and Creekside Hotel projects, ensuring alignment with UHM's operational, brand, and commercial objectives
- Support project development from concept and design stages through construction, pre-opening, and handover
- Support the development team through desktop reviews, property reports, site visits, design reviews, mock up room visits, kick off meetings, progress meetings, project sign off meetings
- Review, comment and approve architectural, MEP, ELV, kitchen, laundry and FF&E designs with a strong focus on hotel operations, efficiency, and guest experience
- Coordinate with owners, consultants, project managers and contractors to ensure timely execution and issue resolution
- Conduct technical due diligence for new projects and acquisitions, identifying risks, CAPEX requirements, and operational implications
- Pre-Opening & Hotel Launch Support
- Lead technical readiness for pre-opening hotels, ensuring all systems are tested, commissioned and operationally sound
- Ensure smooth handover from construction to operations, including documentation, warranties, spare parts, and training of hotel engineering teams
- Support snagging, defect resolution, and post-opening technical stabilization
- Support any adaptations of brand design guidelines to project-specific requirements
- Assist where required in the selection and management of project consultants (architects, interior designers, engineers), including scope definition and fee negotiations
- Operational Excellence & Performance Management
- Oversee engineering performance across the hotel portfolio, ensuring minimal downtime, energy efficiency, and optimal guest comfort
- Review and guide annual maintenance plans, CAPEX budgets, and major refurbishment projects
- Support hotels during audits, brand inspections, and regulatory compliance reviews
- Lead technical crisis management, including major system failures, safety incidents, and emergency response coordination
- Financial & CAPEX Management
- Review and support CAPEX planning, prioritization, and execution across all hotels
- Ensure cost-effective technical solutions without compromising quality, safety, or brand standards
- Monitor project costs, contractor performance, and budget adherence
- Provide technical input into long-term asset enhancement and sustainability strategies
- Sustainability & Energy Management
- Drive sustainability initiatives including energy optimization, water conservation, waste management, and ESG compliance
- Implement energy monitoring systems and efficiency programs to reduce operating costs and environmental impact
- Support green building certifications and sustainability reporting where applicable
- People, Training & Capability Building
- Support and mentor hotel Chief Engineers and engineering teams to build strong technical capabilities
- Establish training standards, SOPs, and knowledge-sharing across the portfolio
- Promote a culture of safety, accountability and preventive maintenance excellence
- Stakeholder & Owner Engagement
- Act as the technical interface with hotel owners & hotel brands, providing transparency, technical guidance, and risk mitigation strategies
- Support owner & hotel brand meetings with clear technical insights on asset condition, CAPEX needs, and project progress
- Build strong working relationships with hotel brands, consultants, suppliers, and service providers
- Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture or Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil preferred)
- Minimum 1015 years of experience in hospitality technical services, engineering, or hotel project management
- Proven experience in hotel pre-openings, renovations, and large-scale hospitality projects
- Strong understanding of construction standards, architectural drawings, interior design standards, hotel MEP systems, fire life safety, kitchens, laundries, and building management systems
- Experience working with international hotel brands and brand technical standards
- Strong financial and commercial understanding of CAPEX, lifecycle costing, and asset value optimization
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, interpersonal, presentation and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects and operating hotels simultaneously
- Ability to travel as required
- Ability to speak, write and communicate fluently in English
- Computer skills: experienced in AutoCAD, word, excel, database, project planning & scheduling to a professional level
Reports To:
VP Development and VP Operations
