About Us:

The Hacienda Hotel - Best Western Plus Old Town is a charming 200-room, multi-building property located in the heart of San Diego's historic Old Town. This property is comprised of nine buildings, across 4.5 acres, which include 3 beautiful meeting rooms, a pool, and a restaurant with stunning views of San Diego. It is the newest addition to the WS Management portfolio, and we have plans to make major renovations over the next several years. We are committed to excellence in service, innovation in operations, and continuous improvement of our facilities and guest experience. We are seeking a Director of Engineering who brings technical skills, collaborative leadership, and a passion for hospitality.

Position Overview:

The Director of Engineering leads all aspects of property maintenance, engineering operations, and facility management. This role is especially critical in our complex and historic layout-requiring both hands-on expertise and strategic planning. The ideal candidate will bring experience working with older buildings, a commitment to teamwork and collaboration, a problem-solving mindset, and a focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

Direct and manage all aspects of engineering and maintenance.

Develop and execute comprehensive preventative maintenance and repair programs tailored to aging infrastructure.

Lead, train, and inspire the engineering team-creating a culture of hospitality, positivity, responsiveness, and shared success.

Identify, prioritize, and manage capital improvement projects, including budgeting, bidding, and coordination with ownership and vendors.

Monitor, maintain, and enhance all systems: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire safety, elevators, and building infrastructure.

Collaborate with hotel leadership to ensure seamless guest experiences through operational excellence.

Proactively solve problems, minimizing downtime and disruptions to guests and departments.

Ensure all equipment and building systems are energy-efficient and environmentally conscious, seeking ways to reduce waste and utility costs.

Maintain compliance with all building codes, safety standards, OSHA requirements, and Best Western brand standards.

Work closely with the WS Management team to align on strategy, reporting, and long-term planning.

Qualifications:

Minimum 5 years of hotel engineering or facility management experience, preferably with older properties or multi-building operations.

Strong background in building systems: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and life safety.

Demonstrated leadership and team-building skills, with a collaborative, people-first approach.

Hands-on experience managing renovation and improvement projects from conception to completion.

Knowledge of green building practices and environmentally responsible maintenance methods.

Ability to interpret technical drawings, schematics, and manuals.

Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

Flexible availability and ability to respond to emergency issues or on-call needs.

Preferred:

Experience in the hotel or hospitality industry strongly preferred.

EPA certification, HVAC license, or equivalent technical certifications.

Technically savvy and able to learn and use current digital applications to improve efficiency, tracking and transparency

What We Offer:

Competitive compensation and bonus opportunities

Full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life)

Paid time off, holidays, and hotel discounts

Professional development through WS Management and Best Western

A collaborative team atmosphere where your work has direct impact