Chief Engineer

• Reporting Line: General Manager
• Directly Supervises: Assistant Hotel Engineer, Maintenance Supervisors
• Liaises with: Group Engineer, General Manager, Director of Rooms, Director of F&B, Executive Housekeeper, Executive Chef, Maisha Manager, Security Manager, Landscape Manager, and other HOD’s
• Location: Kampala Serena Hotel

Job Purpose

• The Chief Engineer is responsible for the smooth and efficient running of the repairs and maintenance department in line with Serena Hotel’s Corporate Strategies and brand standards, whilst meeting employee, guest, and business expectations.
• Manage maintenance activities for the upkeep of buildings, systems, plants, landscapes, vehicles, offices, having a comprehensive preventive and predicative maintenance schedule while resolving problems as they arise whether directly or by assembling teams to solve those issues.

1. Market Leadership

A. Aligning Engineering Strategy to Group Strategy

• Ensuring engineering department has strategies aligned to the unit and engineering group strategy.
• Familiarize with the critical path for all Unit projects to ensure preparedness and smooth running.

B. Evaluate and Review the Marketplace and the Assets Position within its Competitive Set

• Stay abreast of the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices in engineering and maintenance in hotels.
• Conduct regular SWOT analysis to determine the current position of the hotel’s physical products and highlight opportunities/improvement areas.
• Continuously benchmark various physical products, systems, plants, and services with other hotels, resorts, lodges, and camps of similar ratings.
• Facilitate certification in quality assurance and excel beyond the minimums (LQA, SGS, HACCP, ISO, OSHA, NEMA, ECO-Tourism, County Government etc.) for the hotel.

C. Develop Engineering Department Vision and Mission Statements

• Develop the engineering department’s vision and mission statements and ensure they are communicated and understood by all.
• Communicate the objectives of the unit to all engineers and professionals in the team.

D. Statutory Requirements and Company Policies and Procedures

• Ensure adherence and compliance with all statutory requirements and company policies relating to engineering in matters of safety, health, and environment in the hotel.
• Ensure adherence to various governmental laws, codes, regulations, and insurance standards related to maintenance of equipment and facilities.
• Ensure adherence to policies on documents and record keeping in the department.
• Ensure compliance with data protection policies and procedures as defined for the department.
• Review unit crisis management plans regarding maintenance and the roles of maintenance staff in the plan.

2. Leadership in Product and Service

A. Define Product Concept and Service Delivery Promise

• Be the custodian of concepts and critical plans/maps for the physical products as envisioned in approved design plans.
• Ensure overall safety, functionality, and aesthetics of the property and maintenance operations.

B. Define Product Specifications

• Ensure adherence to the product specification manuals for the department.
• Conduct supplier audits to guarantee quality of products and services in all matters of engineering and maintenance.
• Ensure service level agreements with suppliers are implemented and actioned as per contract.

C. Physical Product Improvement Initiatives

• Provide technical assistance and operational support regarding environmental conditions, energy utilization, electrical systems, air handling, power generation and distribution, structural and mechanical systems.
• Collaborate with HODs and staff in determining plant engineering, maintenance, or repair priorities and outline areas needing improvement.
• Oversee grounds and property maintenance including equipment, lighting, landscaping, water features, and safety.
• Oversee maintenance of buildings to ensure safe conditions conducive for guests and staff.
• Collaborate with architects and designers on renovations and new construction projects.
• Provide technical guidance and recommendations for installations, upgrades, and replacements.
• Develop and oversee comprehensive preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Conduct inspections to identify maintenance needs and prioritize repairs/investments.

D. Technology

• Oversee effective use of technology in enhancing efficiency in departmental plants, systems, and processes.

E. Feedback

• Provide management reports on equipment performance metrics regularly.
• Act on guest feedback relating to physical product and maintenance operations.
• Collaborate with departments to ensure seamless guest experiences.
• Address guest concerns related to engineering and maintenance promptly.

F. Define Product and Service SOPs

• Ensure departmental SOPs are updated and adhered to.

3. Managing, Growing and Retaining Market Share

• Avail concepts for hotel facilities to assist in designing and conceptualizing marketing collateral across platforms.

4. Cost Management and Revenue Improvement

A. Business Area Cost Management Initiatives

• Develop and manage the annual maintenance department budget.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and optimization while maintaining standards.
• Review and approve procurement requests, maintenance contracts, and negotiations.

B. Supplier Audit

• Regularly review suppliers to ensure value for money.
• Select, negotiate with, and manage relationships with contractors and suppliers.
• Ensure contractors adhere to quality and safety standards while meeting deadlines.

C. Adherence to Control Procedures and Systems

• Adhere to control procedures in compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Create purchase requests and seek GM approval for purchases.
• Develop initiatives to minimize costs without affecting standards.
• Regularly review departmental financial performance.

5. People Management and Productivity Improvement

A. Productivity Improvement Programs

• Ensure all staff have clearly defined job descriptions.
• Ensure every individual has an annual performance plan.
• Ensure performance plans are reviewed annually.
• Implement relevant HR policies and procedures.
• Identify capacity building initiatives for staff.

B. Effective People Management

• Demonstrate application of business core values.
• Develop reward systems recognizing excellence in living core values.
• Develop cost-effective employee reward initiatives.

C. Adherence to Workplace Health and Safety Standards and Policies

• Demonstrate consistent adherence to workplace health and safety standards.
• Ensure maintenance staff understand workplace health and safety protocols.

D. Employee Wellness Activities

• Organize wellness sensitization sessions for engineering staff.

6. Sustainability

A. Social and Environmental Programs

• Support community outreach and environmental conservation initiatives.
• Implement energy-efficient practices and technologies.
• Monitor energy consumption and develop conservation strategies.
• Explore sustainable initiatives and certifications such as eco-rating certification.
• Oversee cleanliness of plant facilities and proper waste management.

Minimum Qualifications

• A university degree in Engineering with technical certifications in related MEP discipline.
• Professional engineering certification or license preferred.
• Over 10 years of on-the-job experience and a minimum of 5 years’ work experience in a similar position having been exposed to equipment, facility, safety, and OSHA requirements.

Competences and Core Values

A. Competencies

• Ability to keep abreast with advancements in engineering and hotel maintenance.
• Extensive experience in engineering and maintenance management within the luxury hospitality industry.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Strong leadership, project management, and team management skills.
• In-depth knowledge of building codes, regulations, and safety standards.
• Budgeting and financial management skills.
• Ability to motivate and manage associates effectively.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic and high-pressure environment.

B. Core Values

• Integrity.
• Teamwork.
• Empowerment.
• Professionalism.
• Innovation & Creativity.
• Accountability.
• Compassion.
• Growth.

Application Process

• All applications should be sent to: jobvacancy.kampala@serenahotels.com by 13th June 2026.
• Recruitment is on a rolling basis.