Job Summary

The Director of Engineering at a prominent 400+ room full-service hotel is a high-level “Asset Protection & Strategic Leadership” role. Managed by JRoss Hospitality Recruiters, this position requires the “wit” to govern complex capital planning and sustainability initiatives and the “grit” to oversee the physical plant of a high-volume Vancouver property. As a senior leader, you will balance the technical demands of HVAC, electrical, and life safety systems with the financial discipline of multi-million dollar budgeting and long-term infrastructure strategy.

Job Details

Recruiter: JRoss Hospitality Recruiters.
Location: Vancouver, BC (Recruiting from Montreal/National).
Property Scale: 400+ Rooms, extensive F&B, and significant meeting space.
Status: Full-time Senior Leadership.
Experience: 5+ years of progressive hotel engineering leadership.
Certification: 3rd Class Stationary Engineer certification is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities: The “Asset Lifecycle” Cycle

You are the primary steward of the hotel’s physical value, ensuring that the complex machinery of a 400-room operation runs with “flawless execution.”

System Oversight: Full accountability for HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and life safety systems across the entire property.
Preventive Maintenance (PM): Direct and enhance PM programs to protect revenue-generating guestrooms and minimize downtime in public areas.
Sustainability & Energy: Manage and optimize the Direct Digital Control (DDC) Energy Management System to drive utility efficiency and reach sustainability goals.
Financial Governance: Develop and manage the annual POMEC (Property Operation, Maintenance, and Energy Costs) budget and lead the execution of the Capital Plan.
Project Leadership: Act as the lead for large-scale capital projects, renovations, and product upgrades with strict project governance.
Crisis Management: Serve as the property lead for emergency preparedness, fire safety compliance, and regulatory inspections.
Team Development: Oversee scheduling, payroll, training, and performance management for a large, specialized engineering team.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

The “Strategic Engineer”: A leader who combines deep technical expertise with a “forward-thinking” approach to building infrastructure.
Leadership Wit: Highly organized with exceptional communication skills, capable of partnering with Housekeeping, F&B, and Front Office leadership to protect guest experience.
Operational Grit: A calm, solutions-oriented leader who can troubleshoot high-pressure mechanical failures in a high-volume environment.
Financial Acumen: Astute in budgeting, forecasting, and cost-control, specifically regarding large-scale asset protection.
Vendor Management: Proven ability to manage service agreements, vendor contracts, and supplier relationships effectively.

Technical Insights: Large-Scale Hotel Engineering

Managing a 400+ room property requires a sophisticated understanding of centralized building systems.

DDC Energy Management: You will utilize Direct Digital Control systems to automate HVAC and lighting, allowing for real-time adjustments based on occupancy and peak utility pricing.
3rd Class Stationary Engineer Standards: This preference indicates the hotel likely operates high-pressure boilers or large-scale refrigeration plants that require specific provincial certification for safe operation and maintenance.
Capital Planning (CapEx): You aren’t just fixing leaks; you are predicting when a 20-year-old chiller needs replacement and justifying that $250k+ expense to ownership through ROI and risk analysis.

Why Pursue this Opportunity?

This role offers the chance to lead one of Vancouver’s high-profile hospitality assets with the backing of a comprehensive corporate structure.

Financial Security: Benefit from a company-matched RRSP and a competitive salary structure.
Comprehensive Benefits: Full health and dental coverage, plus paid vacation time.
Professional Perks: On-site parking in a major city and significant brand partner discounts across the hospitality network.
Legacy Impact: Influence the long-term sustainability and physical evolution of a landmark property through major renovations and technical upgrades.

Job Description

Do you believe that the heart of a hotel isn’t the lobby, but the engine room? JRoss Hospitality Recruiters is seeking a Director of Engineering. We aren’t looking for a “head repairman”; we are looking for a strategic asset manager who has the “grit” to lead a team through a mid-winter boiler failure and the “wit” to present a 5-year sustainability roadmap to a board of directors. If you are a certified engineer who understands the complexity of a 400-room full-service operation, you belong in Vancouver.

In this role, you are the “Chief of Infrastructure.” You understand that guest comfort is only possible through mechanical discipline. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Physical Plant Operations,” ensuring every system is compliant, every project is on budget, and every guestroom is a sanctuary. We look for “Accountability-first” individuals who are technically skilled, operationally disciplined, and ready to lead.

Joining this prominent Vancouver team means taking ownership of a massive, high-profile asset. We offer the senior-level challenges you seek and the corporate benefits you deserve. If you are an engineering leader with a commitment to “Technical Expertise and Team Development,” we invite you to submit your resume in confidence today.

JRoss Hospitality Recruiters: The Architects of Leadership in Montreal

JRoss Hospitality Recruiters is Canada’s premier executive search firm dedicated to the service sector, defined by a 2026 culture of “Specialized Insight, Unrelenting Commitment, and People-First Partnerships.” With a deep presence in Montreal, the firm operates on the core belief that “Great brands are built by great leaders.” Unlike generalist agencies, every JRoss recruiter is a hospitality professional by trade, bringing decades of operational experience to the search for executive, management, and key support talent across hotels, restaurants, and tourism.

In 2026, JRoss is a critical engine for Montreal’s rebounding and tech-evolving hospitality landscape:

1. The Montreal Search Ecosystem

The Montreal office, located at Place Jacques-Cartier (H2Y 2K7), serves as a bilingual hub for the Quebec market, connecting local talent with iconic national and international brands:

Sector Specialization: JRoss focuses on high-impact roles in hotels, resorts, fine dining, quick-service restaurants (QSR), and the emerging “senior living” luxury hospitality sector.
Geographic Reach: While based in the historic Old Montreal district, the team manages searches across the Greater Montreal Area, including Laval, Brossard, and the West Island.
High-Stakes Placements: In 2026, the firm is particularly active in recruiting for “Multi-Unit” leadership and “Lifestyle Brand” directors as major hotel chains expand their boutique portfolios in Quebec.

2. Strategic Pillars: “The JRoss Methodology”

The firm’s 2026 strategy is built on three pillars that address the “labor bifurcation” and tech shifts in the industry:

The “Hospitality First” Lens: Because recruiters have “walked the floor,” they can assess “soft skills”—empathy, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence—that a resume alone cannot capture.
Network-Driven Sourcing: Eschewing traditional “post and pray” methods, JRoss utilizes a massive, 20-year-deep network of industry leaders to find “passive” candidates who aren’t actively looking but are the perfect fit.
Diversity & Equity (DEI): A cornerstone of their 2026 mission is fostering equitable access and promoting leadership aspirations for those facing adversity, ensuring their clients’ leadership teams reflect a global guest base.

3. 2026 Market Insights & Trends

According to recent 2026 reports from CEO Jackie Ross, the Montreal market is experiencing specific “pressure points” that the firm is actively solving:

The “Tech-Human” Hybrid: There is an unprecedented demand for leaders who are “tech-proficient”—comfortable with AI-driven booking systems—but who haven’t lost the “human touch” required for luxury service.
Measured Growth: After the volatility of the mid-2020s, Montreal brands are hiring in a “measured way,” prioritizing retention and “culture-add” candidates over rapid, high-volume filling of roles.
Soft Skills Premium: As automation handles transactional tasks, JRoss is coaching clients to prioritize candidates with high “Learning Agility” and adaptability.

4. Career & Compensation Intelligence (2026)

JRoss acts as a primary source for salary benchmarking in the Canadian hospitality sector.

Montreal Leadership Salary Benchmarks (2026 Estimates):
- Hotel General Manager: ~$82,000 – $115,000+ (depending on property scale).
- Executive Chef: ~$78,000 – $95,000.
- Director of Finance / Sales: ~$105,000 – $130,000+.
- Restaurant General Manager: ~$72,000 – $85,000.
Candidate Experience: Reviews consistently highlight the “thoughtful and meticulous” approach of recruiters like Miriam Ronen, who provide transparent, four-step interview guidance and long-term career advocacy.

Partnering with JRoss Hospitality Recruiters in Montreal means gaining an “Insider Advantage.” Whether you are a brand looking to “Set the Bar Higher” with a new Director of Operations or a leader looking to “Step Up” into your next challenge, the experience is defined by the opportunity to “connect with purpose” in an industry built on human experience.

To apply for this job please visit www.jrossrecruiters.com.