Location: Houston (Museum District)
Reports To: Engineering Manager
Experience Required: Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive engineering leadership experience, preferably within a full-service or luxury hotel environment.
Markets: Houston
Hotel ZaZa is a boutique luxury brand known for its bold style, exceptional service, and unforgettable guest experiences. With properties in Houston, Austin, and Dallas, we blend artful design with a vibrant atmosphere that captures the spirit of Texas.
Hotel ZaZa Museum District is seeking a skilled and service‑driven Director of Engineering (Maintenance) to join our dynamic team. The Director of Engineering is responsible for the strategic leadership and hands-on management of all engineering, maintenance, and facility operations for Hotel ZaZa Museum District. This role ensures the safety, functionality, and aesthetic integrity of the property, while preserving the unique character of a historic 1926 building.
This leader will oversee preventative maintenance, capital projects, utilities management, and regulatory compliance, with a strong focus on guest experience, operational efficiency, and asset preservation. Expertise in central plant systems—including boilers and chillers—is highly preferred.
Key Responsibilities:
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Provide leadership, direction, and development for the engineering team, including hiring, training, and performance management.
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Establish and maintain a proactive, service-oriented culture aligned with Hotel ZaZa brand standards.
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Collaborate with department leaders to ensure seamless support of hotel operations and guest satisfaction.
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Oversee all maintenance programs, including preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance for a 315-room property.
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Maintain and protect the integrity of a historic 1926 facility, ensuring systems and infrastructure are properly maintained while adhering to preservation considerations.
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Manage building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, life safety systems, and vertical transportation.
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Ensure proper functionality and optimization of boiler and chiller systems, including routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and vendor coordination.
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Plan, execute, and oversee capital improvement projects, renovations, and equipment upgrades.
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Partner with ownership and corporate leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and long-term asset planning.
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Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in alignment with brand standards and guest expectations.
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Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including OSHA, fire life safety, and environmental standards.
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Maintain all required permits and certifications for building systems and operations.
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Lead safety initiatives, emergency preparedness, and incident response planning.
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Develop and manage departmental budgets, including labor, maintenance, utilities, and capital expenditures.
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Monitor and control expenses while identifying cost-saving opportunities and efficiency improvements.
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Track and report key performance indicators such as energy usage, downtime, and maintenance response times.
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Establish and manage relationships with external vendors, contractors, and service providers.
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Negotiate contracts and ensure adherence to service quality and cost expectations.
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Oversee third-party service work, including specialized systems such as boilers and chillers.
Qualifications:
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Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive engineering leadership experience, preferably within a full-service or luxury hotel environment.
- Experience managing operations within historic or older buildings strongly preferred.
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Demonstrated expertise with boiler and chiller systems and central plant operations.
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Strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.
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Experience with building automation systems (BMS) and energy management.
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Working knowledge of maintenance management systems (CMMS).
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Proven leadership and team development skills.
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Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
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Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on involvement.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across departments.
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Professional certifications such as Certified Chief Engineer (CCE), HVAC certification, or equivalent is preferred.
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EPA certification and/or state/local boiler operator licenses preferred.
At Hotel ZaZa, we don’t just offer jobs—we offer careers that inspire. Be part of a brand that celebrates individuality, creativity, and excellence in every detail.
No Job Description for a position can possibly include all duties, which may be requested by guests or required by the hotel. The objective of all positions is to effectively provide the services personally, or to immediately refer requests to the appropriate department manager. Hotel ZaZa is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender/sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, age, or veteran status. Hotel ZaZa also participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.
