Lake Lawn Resort is seeking an experienced and hands-on
Chief Engineer to lead our Engineering and Facilities team. This senior leadership position is responsible for the daily operation of the Engineering department, including maintenance of resort buildings, guest rooms, mechanical systems, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, pools, grounds, and other property infrastructure. The Chief Engineer will lead a skilled maintenance team, oversee preventive maintenance and capital projects, manage vendors and contractors, and help protect the long-term value of the resort's assets while delivering a safe, comfortable, and exceptional guest experience.
Position Details- Job Title: Chief Engineer - Resort Engineering & Facilities
- Employment Type: Full-Time
- Shift: Flexible / Days, Evenings, Weekends, Holidays & On-Call as Needed
- Department: Engineering / Facilities
- Location: Delavan, Wisconsin
What You'll Do- Lead the daily operations of the Engineering and Facilities department, ensuring efficient workflow and timely completion of maintenance needs.
- Recruit, interview, hire, train, schedule, supervise, coach, and develop Engineering team members.
- Establish staffing levels and schedules based on business volume, guest needs, and budget guidelines.
- Oversee the maintenance and operation of resort buildings, guest rooms, public areas, recreational facilities, and grounds.
- Inspect, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, carpentry, and general building systems.
- Ensure resort equipment and building systems operate safely, efficiently, and at optimal performance.
- Develop and manage effective preventive maintenance programs, including room and facility preventive maintenance.
- Assign and monitor work orders while ensuring projects are completed safely, accurately, and on schedule.
- Manage engineering vendors, contractors, service providers, leases, contracts, bids, and project work.
- Evaluate engineering project designs and specifications and oversee installations and construction projects.
- Ensure engineering projects comply with resort standards, applicable building codes, permitting requirements, and government regulations.
- Manage necessary permits, inspections, licenses, and regulatory compliance for Engineering projects and operations.
- Develop cost-reduction, work simplification, and process improvement initiatives to improve department efficiency.
- Manage department purchasing, purchase orders, requisitions, materials, equipment, and maintenance supplies.
- Develop annual Engineering budgets, staffing plans, labor forecasts, operating expenses, and capital expenditure requests.
- Help evaluate capital projects and prioritize investments that protect resort assets and, when possible, provide a return on investment.
- Maximize the useful life and operating efficiency of resort equipment, systems, and physical assets.
- Submit daily and periodic department updates, project progress reports, recommendations, and operational information to the Director of Engineering & Property Development and General Manager.
- Provide 24-hour on-call support for emergency engineering and maintenance needs.
- Assist with fire safety programs, emergency procedures, safety training, chemical safety, and accident prevention.
- Ensure Engineering team members follow all company, safety, security, PPE, uniform, grooming, and departmental policies.
- Conduct regular Engineering department meetings and participate in department head and resort leadership meetings.
- Collaborate with other departments to anticipate maintenance needs and provide excellent guest service.
- Serve as a technical resource and liaison for resort departments and other Lake Lawn Resort managed properties and facilities.
- Provide guidance, technical training, and Engineering support to leadership at other managed properties as needed.
- Assist with maintenance and facility needs at off-site employee housing.
- Perform hands-on maintenance duties, including general maintenance, electrical, carpentry, and HVAC work, when needed.
- Assist with Manager on Duty responsibilities as assigned.
- Identify opportunities to improve guest service, operational efficiency, and resort profitability.
Requirements
What We're Looking For- Previous Chief Engineer, Director of Engineering, Engineering Manager, Maintenance Manager, Facilities Manager, or Senior Maintenance leadership experience, preferably in a hotel, resort, hospitality, or large commercial property.
- Strong working knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, carpentry, building maintenance, and preventive maintenance.
- Demonstrated experience leading, training, scheduling, and developing maintenance or engineering teams.
- Experience managing contractors, vendors, construction projects, and facility improvement projects.
- Strong understanding of building systems, safety requirements, permitting, inspections, and regulatory compliance.
- Experience developing and managing departmental budgets, labor forecasts, purchasing, and capital improvement projects.
- Strong project management, organization, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects while responding effectively to emergency maintenance needs.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with guests, employees, vendors, contractors, and resort leadership.
- Knowledge of hotel or resort operations and the ability to understand how Engineering impacts the overall guest experience.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule and participate in a 24-hour emergency on-call rotation.
- Valid driver's license required.
- Relevant technical certifications or licenses preferred.
Physical Requirements- Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs and ladders, bend, kneel, reach, crawl, and work in confined spaces.
- Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of tools, equipment, and materials.
- Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to safely operate hand tools, power tools, ladders, lifts, and other maintenance equipment.
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Ability to respond quickly to emergency maintenance situations.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including head, eye, hearing, and respiratory protection when necessary.
Work Environment- Resort-wide Engineering and Facilities environment supporting guest rooms, restaurants, meeting spaces, recreational facilities, public areas, and grounds.
- Combination of office, mechanical, maintenance, guest-facing, and outdoor work environments.
- Exposure to electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC equipment, chemicals, machinery, tools, and construction/maintenance activities.
- Fast-paced hospitality environment requiring flexibility and strong attention to guest satisfaction.
- Frequent interaction with resort leadership, department managers, employees, vendors, contractors, and guests.
- Participation in emergency and after-hours response as needed.
This role includes a variety of responsibilities to support daily operations.
