Director of Engineering
Dusit International Hotels Dusit D2 Salwa
Total years of experience :20 years, 10 Months
My current responsibilities for the complex include:
• Interacting with project teams -engineers, consultants, contractors designers and owners for pre-opening technical services, reviewing of plans, drawings, materials-submittals, T&C Reports, Compliance Certificates, management of pre-opening and migration services for - Building Control Systems, Energy Distribution, Energy Supply (gas & electricity), Elevator transportation, Facade engineering requirements, Fire safety, detection and protection, Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), Information and communications technology (ICT) networks, Lighting (natural and artificial), Lightning protection, Refrigeration, Security and Alarm Systems, Water, Drainage and Plumbing, Carbon Emissions calculations and reduction and, setting up and organisation of hotel engineering operation and business in readiness for opening.
• Reviewing, updating self and taking guidance from Corporate Fire & Life Safety Manual, Technical Services Guideline Manual, Audiovisual Systems Design Guideline, Hotel Opening Critical Path, FF&E, OS&E and M&E Template Manual for new hotels, Operating Supplies - Template for new hotels, Preventive Maintenance Program and Fire Life & Safety Preventive Maintenance for post opening engineering operation.
• Coordinating authority approvals and compliance - QCDD, MOI, Waqoo, QTA, QMS/FSMS, Qatar Green Buildings; Specialists training, O & M and AB Plans/Drawings documentation and migration processes
After opening the complex, I shall be responsible for:
• The operation and maintenance of the physical plant, engineering facilities, efficiency of equipment and machinery, energy and water efficiency, safety and emergency procedures and that governmental regulation, National Environmental Boards, and the Engineering & Safety & Emergency Standards policy are being implemented.
• Efficient utilisation of tangible and intangible resources - goods and equipment, finances and employees, goodwill, brand recognition, copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade names, and customer lists.
• Ensuring there is enough physical resources for the business and that human resources training, appraisal and developmental plans are implemented and complied with
• Managerial responsibilities for planning and implementation of Annual Service contracts, Water Standards (with bacteria control) checklist, Legionella checklist, Swimming Pool water quality and safety checklist, EarthCheck program ‘Green Team’ monthly meeting and follow-up, Succession Planning in place and follow up, Hotel Compliance with local laws and building regulations, preparation and submission of various monthly reports to Management and Corporate Offices.
•Running the facilities management and operations for the highest five-star resort in the middle east on the featuring 115 luxury rooms and with 35 heated pools and 4 Jacuzzis; 5 F & B Outlets and kitchens and support MEP Systems/Facilities.
•Ensuring the effective financial management of the engineering department by setting maintenance budgets, capital works programs and engineering plans and monitoring and reviewing performance.
•Planning, implementing and administering an energy management program by establishing energy management best practices to achieve reductions in consumption, without creating a negative impact on guests or associates with the objective to reduce usage and enhance profitability.
•Contributing to guest satisfaction standards by ensuring that technical support services quickly address, and where possible, anticipate individual guests needs, ensuring the safety and comfort of guests and that any requests for service are handled in a courteous and efficient fashion.
•Ensuring that any tests and inspections required on the plant by Statutory Authorities and Corporate Office are carried out as and when required and that all records and documentation associated with such tests and surveys are correctly kept and/or displayed for Audits.
•Ensuring technically competent engineering associates by selecting, training and developing a motivated, well-qualified maintenance team and carrying out regular work sampling studies within the department to evaluate the performance and productivity of personnel.
•Overall project construction management including vendor management, and end-to-end management of the project planning schedule, budget, implementation and quality.
•Coordinating and resolving matters with clients, consultants, sub-contractors, suppliers and/or relevant authorities to ensure smooth progress of the projects.
•Ensuring that all operational work processes and documentations are in compliance with the Company’s Quality, Environment, Safety and Health Management System.
•Providing advice and direction to hotel engineering department on new and existing engineering standards and procedures, Fire, Life & Safety and environmental best practices to ensure compliance with Group and Brand standards and specifications.
•Monitoring and reporting on the accomplishment of project milestones, coordinating site and project meetings, punch list mock-up rooms and document all review comments and approvals
•Ensuring that the hotel operates in conformity with the local codes and regulations related to all areas, updating the General Managers and Excom members of any changes or amendments that will affect the hotels
•Stirring Green Growth, Environmental Awareness and Utilities Conservation initiatives through committees for the Cluster Properties
•Human Resources practices over a large team of Chief Engineers, Engineering Managers and Supervisors, Landscape Manager for Cluster while reporting to the Cluster General Manager and matrix structure of Area and Group Directors of Engineering
•Focusing the Cluster Teams, guiding and cascading strategies into clear action plans and accomplishing objectives for engineering operations, regulatory bodies requirements, internal and external audits and surveys, utilities targets, training and development and workplace safety
• Pre-opening Engineering activities - preparation of operational manual - SOPs, LSOP, DMS, E & O Management Manuals, Engineering P & Ps, Planned Maintenance Programmes, Budgets
• Attending to Brand Standards compliance and Brand Design Guidelines issues with construction managers, project manager, site managers, consultants and designers
• Leading a team of pre-opening managers and associates on understanding and interpretation of drawings
• Developing an engineering operating strategy that is aligned with the business strategy and leading its execution
• Identifying key drivers of business success and keeps team focused on the critical few to achieve results; ensures integration of departmental goals in game plans including researching and analysing new engineering products on the market.
• Establishing and managing the disaster management plan for the resort including overseeing marina operations with 35 boats and a local helipad operations liaising with Qatar Civil Defense Department, Aviation Authorities and Coast Guards and Aviation Authorities
Hospitality Development Company (HDC)/Nikki Beach Resort is located at the Pearl - Qatar in Doha which is managed for HDC by Nikki Beach Hotels and Resorts -the trendiest hotel brand that features 24 luxury townhouses and 26 rooms and spa suites spanning over 160-linear meters of ocean and beach frontage.
•Successfully led a team of 13 pre-opening managers and associates for seamless functioning of activities leading to optimal growth chart of the organization.
•Inspecting and snagging updates for sales input and planning for the plant engineering/ building services engineering management - MEP, HVAC, water treatment and testing, energy, HVAC, MEP for the site utilities and waste management in line with company standards.
•Influential in formulating and undertaking facilities management policies and procedures, technical specifications for property management, utilities management and facilities management processes to consistently chart a rising business curve for company services.
•Formulating engineering standard operating procedures, hotel contingencies, risk management policy, disaster management manuals, CCM, CMM and facilities management manuals for enhancing the profitability.
•Gaining extensive knowledge of common facilities and utilities comprising of water, waste, HVAC, fire systems, storm drainage, aquatic safety and environmental management, thereby increasing the revenue of the organization.
•Fostering close channels of communication with project, design and brands teams, along with contributing in project progress meetings representing the operator - Nikki Beach Hotels and Resorts.
Fregate Island Private is a five star hotel on a privately owned Island with 19 villas/rooms and 4 (four) F&B outlets in Seychelles undertaking facilities management, engineering, airport operations and health and safety issues.
•Actively led a team of 40 permanent maintenance and engineering staff comprising of 7 direct reports.
•Successfully ensured adherence to all environmental, health and safety regulations and standards for water and sewer plants, kitchens, restaurants, staff accommodations, back of house facilities, airport services, marina services and hotel-villas facilities for smooth workflow.
•Handled the whole gamut of operations and maintenance activities of various systems and equipment encompassing of chiller units and cooling tower plants, HVAC equipment, fire and life safety systems, electrical standby power generation plants, power transmission and distribution (11kV/400V/240V) networks, sewage treatment plant, laundry and kitchen equipment, landscaping, audio-visual equipment, auditorium equipment, SPA, gym, desalination (RO) water plants, potable water plants and workshops.
•Supervised contractors on outsourced Projects, jobs and major works on capital equipment to ensure smooth functioning in an efficient and effective manner.
•Actively participated in compliance inspections by Tour Operators, Hotel Graders for Hotel Evaluations and by Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority for re-licensing of Hotel and Airport Service.
The Rainbow Towers (formerly Sheraton Harare Hotel), is a five star international hotel in Zimbabwe consisting of 304 rooms, 8 (eight) F & B outlets, 22 function rooms and large events garden, heated swimming pool, Gymn, Sauna, Tennis Court and second largest Auditorium (4500pax) in Southern Africa.
•Played a key role in leading a team of 47 including 9 direct reporters and 15 gardeners.
• Efficiently handled a property improvement project involving facilities re-branding from initiating to completion during and after the departure of the Sheraton Brand.
•Controlled, initiated and undertook assigned capital projects from design and pricing to construction and commissioning in adherence with the standards and regulatory requirements.
•Actively participated in strategy formulation, planning and forecasts as part of management committee, consequently formed, implemented and revised systems, policies and procedures to enhance effective working.
•Accountable for managing the budget, capital expenditure projects, preventative maintenance, energy conservation and service contracts comprising of MEP, FFE, technical, waste and utilities services to formulate long and short term strategies for enhancing organizational revenues.
•Controlled the facilities management function of shopping malls, office complexes, single and multi-tenanted multi-storey buildings, residential buildings, business and commercial centers, factory shells and recreational areas for effective working.
•Developed and monitored technical services (SLAs) for CAPEX and R and M activities, along with providing work specifications, user briefs, tender procedures for external service providers.
•Provided project management services for new equipment installations and replacement/ refurbishment projects on existing buildings, thereby formulated formulated annual buildings’ budgets and managed the maintenance costs within budgets.
•Influential in managing full control over resident building managers, caretakers, call centre administrators, facilities administrators and contracted service providers for MEP, FFE, SLAs for periodic and statutory inspections and compliance.
•Presented management reports, recommended new facilities management procedures, managed the inventory handling processes, facilities administration and FM data capture processes for better workflow.
•Administered facilities management processes including tender services and contracts consisting of developing operational standards for plant, equipment, properties and buildings to achieve company goals and objectives.
Evaluation of foreign qualifications to South African qualifications equivalency
Postgraduation qualification and an entry requirement for a Masers Degree program at Brunel University
Diploma Award Credit
Credit
Pass
