Cluster Director of Engineering - Hawke's Bay New Zealand

Job Description

ABOUT ROSEWOOD HOTEL GROUPRosewood Hotel Group, a privately owned company, is one of the world’s leading global lifestyle and hospitality management groups. It encompasses four brands: ultra-luxury Rosewood Hotels & Resorts®; upper-upscale New World Hotels & Resorts; Asaya, an integrated well-being concept; and Carlyle & Co., a modern and progressive private members club. Its combined hotel portfolio consists of over 50 hotels in 23 countries with more than 32 new properties currently under development.ABOUT OUR DEPARTMENT / TEAMThe Engineering/Maintenance Department is responsible for the safe, efficient, and sustainable operation of all buildings, facilities, infrastructure, and technical systems across the luxury lodge portfolio. The team oversees preventive and corrective maintenance programs, asset reliability, utility management, regulatory compliance, life safety systems, and capital improvement initiatives. Through proactive maintenance, continuous improvement, and effective asset management practices, the department ensures the highest standards of operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and guest satisfaction while preserving the integrity and value of each property.THE IMPACT OF THIS ROLE The Cluster Director of Engineering provides strategic leadership and oversight of all engineering operations and to the on-property Engineering/ Maintenance Departments and ensures the maintenance of all facilities and infrastructure.The role requires expertise in project/ asset management, sustainability, life safety system compliance, capital improvement project identification and execution, an understanding of building and engineering systems, and personnel management.. The role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of operational excellence, regulatory compliance, asset preservation, environmental stewardship, and guest satisfaction, while supporting the long-term objectives of the business.Through effective maintenance strategies, asset lifecycle planning, and continuous improvement initiatives, the Cluster Director of Engineering ensures the reliability, efficiency, and safety of all buildings, equipment, and critical infrastructure. The role drives engineering performance, energy efficiency, risk management, and sustainability practices while maintaining the unique character and luxury standards of each property and delivering exceptional experiences for guests, associates, and ownersKEY RESPONSIBILITIES ACROSS THE PORTFOLIOAdministration·Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all engineering administration functions across the lodge portfolio, ensuring effective governance, compliance, and operational efficiency.·Ensure all engineering records, statutory documentation, compliance certificates, permits, inspection reports, and asset information are accurately maintained, updated, and securely filed in accordance with company standards and regulatory requirements.·Oversee the preparation, accuracy, and timely submission of all engineering, compliance, maintenance, sustainability, and capital project reports.·Maintain comprehensive engineering documentation, including equipment manuals, technical specifications, asset registers, spare parts inventories, and up-to-date building and infrastructure drawings for all properties.·Align engineering objectives, policies, and initiatives with corporate strategies, brand standards, and business priorities, ensuring effective implementation across the portfolio.·Represent the Engineering function as a member of the Executive Committee, contributing to strategic decision-making, operational planning, and business performance. ·Develop, review, and continuously improve engineering policies, procedures, standards, and operating manuals to support operational excellence and consistency across all properties. ·Lead regular engineering leadership meetings and departmental communications to ensure alignment, accountability, knowledge sharing, and effective execution of key initiatives. ·Establish and monitor engineering performance metrics, asset management plans, and compliance tracking systems to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.·Foster effective communication and collaboration with Operations, Finance, Procurement, Talent & Culture, and other departments to achieve business objectives and enhance the guest experience.Guest Satisfaction·Champion the delivery of the Rosewood brand promise by ensuring all engineering associates consistently provide exceptional service to guests and colleagues, contributing to a seamless luxury guest experience.·Foster a collaborative service culture by providing responsive and professional support to all departments, ensuring operational needs are met efficiently and effectively.·Ensure all guest-facing facilities, accommodations, and public areas are maintained to the highest standards of quality, comfort, safety, and presentation. ·Act promptly and professionally on guest and internal stakeholder concerns, ensuring issues are resolved effectively, root causes are identified, and corrective actions are implemented to prevent recurrence.·Partner with operational teams to proactively identify opportunities to enhance guest satisfaction, property condition, and overall service excellence across the luxury lodge portfolio.·Monitor and analyse guest feedback related to facilities and engineering services, implementing continuous improvement initiatives to support exceptional guest experiences and brand standards.Finance·Provide strategic financial leadership for the Engineering function, ensuring the cost-effective operation of all engineering activities while maintaining luxury standards, asset integrity, and guest satisfaction.·Develop and manage annual operating budgets, capital expenditure (CAPEX) budgets, and long-term asset investment plans in partnership with the Cluster Director of Finance and property leadership teams.·Monitor and control engineering expenditure across the portfolio, ensuring accurate financial reporting, budget compliance, and effective cost management.·Drive financial performance through the use of key performance indicators, benchmarking, and continuous improvement initiatives while supporting operational excellence and the guest experience.·Review and approve engineering-related purchase requests, contracts, and invoices in accordance with company policies and delegated authority limits.·Implement effective controls and monitoring processes for utilities, fuel consumption, maintenance materials, and engineering inventory to ensure accuracy, accountability, and cost efficiency.·Identify and deliver opportunities for operational savings, energy efficiency improvements, and asset optimization without compromising safety, quality, or service standards. ·Maximize workforce productivity through effective resource planning, cross-training, and efficient deployment of engineering talent across the portfolio. ·Analyze business trends, engineering performance, and asset condition data to support accurate forecasting, capital planning, and strategic decision-making·Ensure full compliance with company policies, financial controls, procurement procedures, and all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, including the timely and accurate reporting of financial information.·Develop and maintain 5-year and 10-year capital investment plans to support asset preservation, infrastructure reliability, sustainability objectives, and long-term business growth.Operations·Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all engineering operations across the lodge portfolio, ensuring efficient, safe, and reliable performance of all facilities, infrastructure, plant, and equipment.·Lead, develop, and support engineering teams in the effective execution of their duties, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. ·Preventive maintenance program : oDevelop, implement, and monitor comprehensive preventive and predictive maintenance programs for all buildings, guest facilities, utilities, plant, equipment, kitchens, laundries, and back-of-house areas. oDirects the design, rollout, and monitoring of a comprehensive property-wide preventative maintenance plan to protect asset value, minimize utility waste, and eliminate guest-room defects.oEstablishes standardized, technical maintenance checklists for all critical MEP, HVAC, and life-safety systems while tracking engineering team compliance through automated hotel management software.·Oversee major renovations, refurbishments, infrastructure upgrades, and capital projects, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to luxury brand standards.·Develop and maintain 5-year and 10-year capital expenditure (CAPEX) plans to support asset preservation, business objectives, and long-term property performance. ·Conduct annual asset condition assessments and provide recommendations for asset replacement, enhancement, and lifecycle management. ·Coordinate and manage contractors, consultants, and service providers to ensure compliance with company standards, safety requirements, and project specifications.·Maintain effective inventory and engineering stores management processes to ensure optimal stock levels and cost control.·Ensure all life-safety, fire protection, security, alarm, and emergency systems are fully operational, maintained, tested, and compliant with local regulations and company standards.·Lead the development and implementation of emergency response, business continuity, and crisis management plans in collaboration with operational leadership.·Conduct regular inspections and audits of all properties to identify maintenance, operational, safety, and compliance risks and implement corrective actions where required.·Monitor utility consumption and energy performance across the portfolio, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and support sustainability objectives.·Drive environmental sustainability initiatives, ensuring responsible management of energy, water, waste, and natural resources throughout the portfolio.·Ensure all properties, building systems, and operating procedures comply with applicable local legislation, codes, regulations, and company standards.·Work closely with the Cluster Managing Director and Executive Committee to identify opportunities for operational improvement, asset enhancement, risk mitigation, and guest experience excellence.·Partner with Procurement and Finance teams to achieve cost-effective purchasing strategies while maintaining quality, reliability, and service standards.·Support the delivery of exceptional guest experiences by ensuring all guest rooms, villas, public areas, wellness facilities, grounds, gardens, roads, and infrastructure are maintained to the highest luxury standards.·Develop and deliver engineering, life-safety, and emergency preparedness training programs to enhance operational readiness and compliance across all properties.·Foster strong collaboration with all departments to support operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and the overall success of the luxury lodge portfolio·Travel regularly to the properties part of the portfolio, cover Maintenance Manager annual leave or absence when neededHuman Resources·Provide strategic leadership for the recruitment, selection, retention, and succession planning of engineering talent across the lodge portfolio, ensuring alignment with company values, culture, and business objectives.·Partner with Talent & Culture to attract, develop, and retain high-performing associates through competency-based recruitment, workforce planning, and talent development initiatives.·Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, and service excellence, ensuring associates consistently uphold brand standards, grooming requirements, and professional conduct expectations.·Maximize team effectiveness by providing ongoing coaching, mentoring, technical training, and leadership development opportunities that enhance individual and team performance. ·Conduct performance and development reviews, establish clear objectives, and support associates in achieving their career and professional growth goals.·Encourage a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and engagement by recognizing achievements and empowering associates to contribute new ideas and solutions.·Ensure all engineering associates understand and comply with company policies, standards, procedures, and code of conduct requirements.·Promote a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with all health, safety, fire, environmental, and security regulations, policies, and best practices.·Develop succession plans and build organizational capability to ensure a strong talent pipeline for future leadership and critical technical positions.·Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment that supports associate well-being, engagement, and operational excellence across the portfolio.Other standard responsibilities·Comply with all company policies, standards, procedures, and governance requirements, ensuring the highest levels of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.·Operate within approved operating and capital budgets while supporting financial discipline, cost optimization, and business objectives.·Undertake additional responsibilities and special projects as reasonably assigned to support operational priorities and organizational success.·Develop, implement, and regularly review engineering policies, procedures, standards, and operating manuals to ensure consistency, compliance, and best practices across the portfolio.·Lead workforce planning, talent acquisition, succession planning, and professional development initiatives to meet current and future business requirements.·Act as a visible brand ambassador, ensuring all activities, decisions, and interactions reflect and uphold the values, standards, and reputation of the brand.·Champion and model the company's culture, vision, mission, and core values while fostering a high-performance, collaborative, and guest-centric environment·Promote continuous improvement, innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence across the engineering function and wider organization.·Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, supporting effective cross-functional collaboration and the achievement of strategic business goals.Others·Develop and maintain effective professional relationships with industry peers, service partners, consultants, government authorities, and relevant external organizations to support operational excellence and industry best practices.·Remain informed of emerging industry trends, technologies, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory developments, adapting engineering strategies and practices to meet evolving business needs. ·Ensure a thorough understanding of and compliance with all company policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines, including those related to health and safety, fire and life safety, security, environmental management, and workplace conduct. ·Participate in and support training programs, leadership development initiatives, workshops, and meetings as required to maintain professional and technical competency. ·Contribute to cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives that support the goals and objectives of the lodge portfolio and wider organization.·Undertake any additional duties and responsibilities reasonably assigned by the Cluster Managing Director that are consistent with the scope and seniority of the position. ·This job description outlines the principal responsibilities of the role and may be amended from time to time to reflect changes in business needs, operational priorities, or organizational requirements.·Perform duties or big project related to your specification (electricity, plumbing, AC/heating) for each of the properties within portfolio Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Role.- Preventive Maintenance (PM) Completion Rate: Achieves a minimum 95% completion rate of all scheduled monthly PM tasks.

• Guest Defect Scores: Reduces guest-reported room maintenance issues by a target percentage year-over-year.
• Utility Efficiency: Minimizes energy waste through the strict maintenance of optimized HVAC and water systems
• Maintenance team engagement score : Lead a highly engaged maintenance team across the portfolio, achieving associate engagement score

CRITICAL SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONSRequired Skills & Competencies·Demonstrated ability to consistently deliver high-quality results, ensuring excellence in engineering operations, asset management, and service delivery while maintaining brand standards.·Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively, manage competing demands, and deliver measurable business outcomes while maintaining accountability for results.·Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across all levels of the organization, fostering teamwork, trust, and alignment to achieve shared objectives. ·Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders, present complex information clearly, and drive effective decision-making across diverse audiences.·Strong leadership capability with the ability to initiate action, lead change, adapt to evolving business needs, and implement practical and innovative solutions to operational challenges.·Highly customer-focused, with the ability to anticipate needs, build value-based relationships, and support exceptional guest and stakeholder experiences.·Demonstrated commercial and financial acumen, including budgeting, asset lifecycle planning, capital project management, and cost optimization.·Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to lead multiple initiatives, manage resources effectively, and deliver results within agreed timelines and budgets.·Commitment to sustainability, safety, and continuous improvement, with the ability to drive innovation and operational excellence across a luxury hospitality portfolio.·High levels of professionalism, integrity, resilience, and sound judgment, with the ability to lead teams and make decisions in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.·Availability to travel 25-35% of time to the two other sister propertiesQualifications·Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Engineering, Building Services, Facilities Management, Building Maintenance, or a related discipline. ·Professional certifications in Project Management, Asset Management, Facilities Management, Sustainability, Health & Safety, and current electrical workers registration board (EWRB) registration and practicing license or related disciplines are advantageous·Previous experience and fully NZ licenced in either Electricity, Plumbing or AC/heating are advantageous Experience·Minimum 10 years of progressive engineering leadership experience, with a proven track record in facilities management, asset management, infrastructure operations, and maintenance within the hospitality, resort, lodge, or related industries.·Minimum 5 years in a Director of Engineering, Cluster Director of Engineering, Regional Engineering, or comparable senior leadership role, with responsibility for strategic planning, budgeting, compliance, and operational performance.·Previous experience within luxury hotels, resorts, lodges, or high-end hospitality environments is preferred, with a demonstrated understanding of ultra-luxury service standards and guest expectations. ·Proven experience leading multi-property engineering operations, including asset lifecycle management, capital planning, renovation projects, and operational standardization across multiple locations. ·Demonstrated success in delivering capital projects, sustainability initiatives, energy management programs, regulatory compliance, and business continuity planning.·Experience managing remote or geographically dispersed properties is highly desirable, with the ability to balance operational needs, asset preservation, and guest satisfaction across a luxury lodge portfolio.

About Us

Far out to the east of Hawke’s Bay wine country, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers sits atop rolling hills and rugged cliffs that give way to vast sea views and an ever-present horizon. Home to not only a lodge and spa, this unique property also boasts one of the world’s top golf courses, a sanctuary for some of New Zealand’s most precious flora and fauna, and a working farm. Warm and enveloping, Cape Kidnappers generous suites offer sumptuous comfort and awe-inspiring views in equal parts. Ranked as one of the top two hotels in New Zealand and Australia by Travel + Leisure, and within the top 20 hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveller, Cape Kidnappers delivers stunning exclusive guest experiences including the Can-Am Farm Tour, Kiwi Discovery Walk, Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony and much, much more.