Highgate Portugal manages 14 hotel units and is committed to provide excellence service to all guests at all times. At Highgate, we support an environment of greatness, transparency and intelligence, nurturing our employees to a level of autonomy within the company. Employee growth is our priority and we provide the tools and opportunities to expand professional skills and experience.

Are you ready to embark on an exceptional journey? Find out here who we are looking for!

We are looking for a Head of Engineering for Highgate Hotels in Portugal. The position is based in Albufeira.

The Head of Engineering is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership across all engineering, maintenance, and technical safety functions within a portfolio of multiple hotels and multiple global development projects. This role ensures that all properties maintain high standards of operational efficiency, sustainability, compliance, and safety while driving innovation and cost optimization across the group.

Challenges you’ll love:

*Leadership \& Team Management*
* Lead, mentor, and develop the engineering and maintenance teams across all hotel units.
* Establish clear performance objectives, ensuring alignment with the group’s strategic goals.
* Foster an environment of continuous improvement, collaboration, and technical excellence.





*Technical Operations Management*
* Develop and enforce maintenance and engineering policies, procedures, and operational standards.
* Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs to ensure asset reliability and guest satisfaction.
* Manage departmental budgets and energy consumption targets.
* Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement actions to enhance operational efficiency.



*Engineering Projects \& Sustainability*
* Plan, coordinate, and execute engineering projects, including renovations, retrofits, and new developments.
* Collaborate with architects, consultants, and contractors to ensure projects meet technical, budgetary, and quality standards.
* Promote environmental responsibility and integrate sustainable practices and smart building systems (BMS, IoT, etc.).



*Risk \& Loss Prevention*
* Oversee the Risk \& Loss Prevention Department, ensuring compliance with all safety, fire, and occupational health regulations.
* Conduct property audits, emergency preparedness drills, and technical risk assessments.
* Investigate incidents, monitor compliance records, and implement corrective and preventive measures.


*Strategic Planning \& Development*
* Define short- and long-term maintenance and investment plans to support the group’s business growth.
* Support acquisition and due diligence processes for new properties or development projects.
* Provide executive-level reporting and recommendations regarding asset conditions, lifecycle planning, and ESG initiatives.



What you need to shine in this role:
* Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical or similar); postgraduate studies are a plus.
* Minimum 10 years of experience in engineering/maintenance, including leadership roles in multi-site operations (hospitality or similar industries preferred).
* Strong technical knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire safety) and maintenance strategies.
* Proven experience in project management (renovations, CAPEX, pre-openings) and budget control.
* Solid understanding of health \& safety regulations, compliance, and risk prevention.
* Experience with BMS, energy management, and sustainability practices.
* Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
* Strategic mindset with a hands-on approach and ability to manage multiple priorities.
* Fluency in Portuguese and English.
* Availability to travel and be based in Albufeira.



The benefits of joining our team:
* Competitive compensation;
* Benefits package;
* Advantages at Highgate hotels;
* Career development and progression.


Localização: Distrito / District: Faro, Concelho / Municipalities: Albufeira