DWR has been retained to find a suitably qualified Chief Engineer with specific and extensive experience in the 4 and 5-star hotel sector. This position is for expatriate applicants only. It is based in Accra, Ghana.

OVERVIEW: With a solid history and prestigious reputation, my client is an established and leading indigenous infrastructural development organisation in West Africa. Comprising 5 subsidiaries, their three luxury hotels are a major part of their business operation in Ghana, internationally recognised and of a supreme standard. From the outstanding services they provide to the highest levels of comfort, their meticulous attention to detail and their record of excellent customer satisfaction, my client stands out as a premier provider in Ghana’s first-class accommodation, hotel, fine dining and hospitality sector.  

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: The Chief Engineer (Head of Maintenance) will be required to put in place comprehensive plans and programs for the three hotel properties including: Property maintenance issues; Setting standards and specifications; Preventive Maintenance designs; Maintenance planning within approved budget; Coordination of operational activities (electrical, electronic, water, gas, boilers, coolers, etc); Program and advise on utilities; Cost reduction initiatives; Advise on futuristic approaches and improvements on the spaces involving electrical, electronic, water and other existing systems; and Progressive development and management of regulatory compliance policies.  

YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• Ensuring regular inspection of the three properties and remedying any issues, faults or snags found.
• Collaborating with the housekeeping department to identify any faults in rooms or across the hotels.
• Carrying out preventive maintenance and renovation works in the hotels, and managing the appropriate budgets necessary for their execution.
• Overseeing the maintenance of the three hotel properties including the physical structure, all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, water and cooling systems etc according to standard operating procedures.
• Conducting fire and safety training for hotel staff in collaboration with the HR department and Security.
• Maintaining accurate and effective files, operation manuals, service agreements, equipment warranties, correspondence and the built diagrams.
• Ensuring guest maintenance requests are responded to and dealt with in a timely manner, promptly and in a professional manner.
• Responsible for managing all the maintenance staff and supervising their work on a daily basis.
• Present service contracts to the General Manager for approval.
• Coaching and supporting the engineering team in effectively managing controllable expenses (e.g., wages, heat, light and power, water consumption, tools and equipment, grounds keeping supplies, uniforms, vendors, services agreements, inventory, etc).
• Developing an engineering operating strategy that is aligned with the company’s business strategy.
• Overseeing the execution of long-term preventive maintenance and asset protection plans.
• Managing areas of operation to budget by monitoring cost and purchases, reviewing invoices, comparing prices, reviewing attendance for payroll, etc.
• Supervising all subcontractors working on the property to ensure they abide by policies and complete works on time.
• Undertaking all incidental tasks or related duties and special projects as may be assigned from time to time.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Mechanical/Electrical qualification or equivalent recognised qualification pertinent to the role.
• Minimum of 4 to 6 years’ experience in a similar position at a four or five-star hotel.
• Computer literate (Excel, Word, Outlook and Chrome).
• Extensive leadership and people management skills.
• Very precise attention to detail.
• Comfortable with decision making.
• A full understanding of cost efficiency and how to implement measures to reduce costs, etc.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels (essential).
• Great organisational, time management and admin skills
• Team player

This is an exciting and varied role that will suit somebody with the appropriate experience and skills from within the hotel space internationally. It will appeal to candidates who are committed to their career path and motivated to join a progressive and expanding luxury hotel brand as their Chief Engineer/Head of Maintenance for the long-term. You should also have an interest in, or previous experience with, living and working in West Africa.  

CONDITIONS: This is an expatriate position and is being offered on a single person status only (i.e. this is not a family posting). The employment package will reflect the successful applicant’s experience and carries a salary of between $4000 and $4500 per month plus onsite accommodation, meals and transport allowances, and other benefits. Details will be discussed at the client interview stage. As a senior and important position that carries a high degree of responsibility, it is a prerequisite that applicants possess the required skills and experience to be considered. PLEASE therefore do not apply unless you have the competencies specified and have a verifiable and solid background in the 4 and 5-star hotel sector.  

APPLICATION PROCESS:

If you meet the criteria for this position and wish to submit an application, in the first instance please send your CV (in Word or PDF) to [email protected] quoting the role you are applying for in the subject box. You are welcome to include a Covering Letter in support of your application. Selected candidates will be contacted by email and sent a Candidate Questionnaire, which must be completed in full to be progressed to the next stage of shortlisting. If chosen, you will be invited to an initial interview with DWR (either in person in Accra or via Zoom, Teams or WhatsApp video link). If selected, the next stage will be an interview with the client. THE CLOSING DATE FOR NEW APPLICATIONS IS 10th JANUARY 2024.

DWR tries to respond to all applications, but sometimes due to the quantity it is not always possible to do so. If you have not received a reply by 30th January, then sadly you have not been selected on this occasion.

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES: DWR does not discriminate in the acceptance or referral of candidates on the basis of race, colour, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, or any other protected characteristic. By applying for this position, candidates agree to respect these standards and be observant of the internationally accepted guidelines governing equality and inclusiveness in the workplace aimed at eliminating racism, discrimination and hate speech throughout every level of society.  

DWR Executive Search is appointed by the employing company as their Executive Search and Talent Acquisition provider for this position. The client’s name will remain confidential until applicants have been shortlisted to the client interview stage.