Assistant Director of Engineering

Job Description

Assistant Director of Engineering

At the iconic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, known as the “Castle in the City”, we don’t just maintain a building; we preserve a legacy.

As Assistant Director of Engineering, you will play a critical leadership role in protecting and enhancing one of Vancouver’s most historic and celebrated luxury hotels. As the second-in-command within the Engineering Department, you will partner with the Director of Engineering to lead strategy, operations, and execution across all engineering functions.

You will help ensure the seamless performance of a complex, heritage property while delivering the exceptional standards of safety, sustainability, and guest comfort that define the Fairmont experience. In the absence of the Director, you will confidently step in to lead the department.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a technically strong, people-focused leader who takes pride in maintaining iconic spaces and developing high-performing teams.

What’s in It for You

• An inclusive, empowering, and positive company culture where people are at the heart of everything we do
• Competitive annual salary starting at $90,000, with regular salary reviews and potential salary increases based on performance, demonstrated capabilities, and market benchmarks.
• Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance for those meeting eligibility requirements
• Company-matched pension plan, and Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan program access
• Paid time off: 15 vacation days annually (increasing with tenure), 12 statutory holidays, plus paid birthday leave
• TransLink travel reimbursement program
• Complimentary duty meals and dry-cleaning of business attire
• Exclusive access to the Pacific Northwest Food & Beverage Discount Program with 50% off at our dining destinations in Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler
• Colleague benefit card offering discounted room and food & beverage rates at Accor properties worldwide for you and your family
• Complimentary hotel stay for newly hired colleagues with breakfast for two through our BE OUR GUEST program
• Learning programs through our Academies designed to sharpen your skills
• Opportunities to make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility activities
• The chance to have fun at work alongside passionate hospitality professionals who are committed to making the world a more welcoming place
• The opportunity to work in a luxury hotel environment within a Vancouver heritage building with a historic legacy dating back to 1939

What You Will Be Doing

Leadership & Operations

• Act as a trusted partner and deputy to the Director of Engineering
• Provide daily leadership across engineering, maintenance, and POMEC operations
• Support and develop department leaders and frontline colleagues
• Serve as Acting Director of Engineering as required

Guest Experience Excellence

• Ensure engineering operations consistently enable exceptional, personalized guest experiences
• Lead prompt and effective resolution of guest-related engineering concerns
• Collaborate with Rooms and Guest Experience teams to elevate service delivery

Maintenance & Asset Stewardship

• Oversee preventive maintenance programs across guestrooms, public spaces, and critical systems
• Ensure optimal performance of HVAC, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure
• Balance modern system performance with the care and preservation required in a heritage building
• Drive continuous improvement in asset protection and lifecycle planning

Capital Projects & Heritage Preservation

• Support the planning and execution of capital projects and renovations
• Contribute to long-term engineering strategy and investment planning
• Represent Engineering in cross-functional project teams

Financial Stewardship

• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cost control initiatives
• Identify opportunities for efficiency while maintaining luxury standards

People & Culture

• Recruit, develop, and inspire a high-performing engineering team
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Support colleague engagement, recognition, and career growth
• Lead and support teams within a unionized environment, ensuring alignment with collective agreements and fostering positive labour relations

Safety, Compliance & Sustainability

• Ensure full compliance with BC Building Code, Fire Code, and WorkSafeBC standards
• Lead emergency preparedness and risk management efforts
• Champion sustainability initiatives aligned with Fairmont’s environmental commitments
• Support audit readiness including ECOSURE and LQA

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• Required: Power Engineer Certification (Minimum 4th Class – 2nd Class preferred)
• 5–7+ years of engineering leadership experience in a luxury hotel or complex property
• Proven success in a senior engineering leadership or deputy role
• Strong technical expertise in building systems and maintenance operations
• Experience managing teams, capital projects, and operational budgets
• Solid knowledge of regulatory compliance, safety, and heritage property considerations
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Experience working in a unionized environment and interpreting collective agreements is considered an asset
• Engineering diploma or degree considered an asset

Schedule & Operational Expectations

• Participate in a rotating weekend coverage schedule (Saturdays and Sundays)
• Be available to respond to off-hours emergencies, including overnight and on scheduled days off
• Work occasional overnight shifts for special projects, system upgrades, or training

Working Environment

• Hands-on leadership role requiring mobility throughout a large, historic property
• Regular physical activity, including lifting (up to 30 lbs) and navigating ladders and stairs
• Fast-paced environment supporting a 24/7 luxury hotel operation
• Work within a unionized environment; engineering colleagues are members of a collective bargaining unit
• Collaborate and lead effectively within the framework of a collective agreement

Additional Information

Visa Requirements:
Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. The hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

Why work for Accor?
We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.
By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit https://careers.accor.com/

Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo! #BELIMITLESS