Director of Engineering - Project Manager (Taskforce)

Position Summary Canyon Ranch Austin is seeking a seasoned, results-oriented Director of Engineering — Project Manager on a short-term taskforce basis to lead all construction completion, systems commissioning, and facilities readiness activities for the pre-opening of a landmark luxury wellness resort opening Fall 2026. This role serves as the on-site owner's representative and operational liaison, ensuring that every inch of the new-build property is delivered to Canyon Ranch brand standards, Forbes Travel Guide expectations, and full regulatory compliance — on time and on budget. The ideal candidate brings deep hospitality engineering leadership experience, a proven track record in luxury new-build or major renovation openings, and the credibility to partner effectively with ownership, general contractors, design teams, and department heads. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role with a defined end state: a flawlessly opening resort. About the Engagement Canyon Ranch Austin is a ground-up new build scheduled to open in Fall 2026. The Director of Engineering — Project Manager (Taskforce) is brought on specifically to: Bridge construction punch-list completion and operational readiness Serve as a point of accountability for Canyon Ranch with all landscaping, construction, and architecture project deadlines and owner scoped tasks and projects Build and lead the property Engineering department from the ground up, including landscaping, maintenance technicians and security colleagues Translate contractor deliverables into guest-ready, luxury-standard operations Ensure seamless handoff from development to ongoing property management Responsibilities Construction Completion & Owner's Representation Serve as Canyon Ranch's on-site owner's representative during final construction, punch-list, and commissioning phases Coordinate directly with the general contractor, subcontractors, and design consultants to drive schedule adherence Attend and lead all OAC (Owner, Architect, Contractor) meetings; prepare and distribute meeting minutes and action logs and ensure deliverables are met in a timely fashion Manage the master punch-list process, ensuring deficiencies are remediated prior to guest arrival Systems Commissioning & Technical Readiness Oversee commissioning, testing, and acceptance of all MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), HVAC, fire life safety, elevators, building automation systems (BAS), and specialty wellness equipment Coordinate utility connections and confirm all permits, certificates of occupancy (COs), and operational licenses are obtained Establish preventive maintenance programs, equipment schedules, and asset registers prior to opening Ensure all equipment warranties, O&M manuals, and as-built drawings are collected and organized for ongoing operations Lead utility metering, sustainability benchmarking, and energy management baseline setup Department Build-Out & Team Leadership Recruit, interview, and select the property Engineering team, including Assistant Director of Engineering, maintenance technicians, landscaping, and security colleagues Partner with HR and Learning & Development Manager to develop onboarding plans, training curricula, and task checklists for Engineering colleagues Establish department operating procedures, emergency response protocols, and safety programs Foster a culture of proactive maintenance, precision, and luxury service mindset within the Engineering team Pre-Opening Project Management Develop and maintain a comprehensive pre-opening Engineering checklist and milestone tracker from contract execution through Day 1 operations Manage the Engineering pre-opening budget, track expenditures, and flag variances with recommended actions Coordinate FF&E and OS&E receiving, installation inspection, and placement in collaboration with Design and department heads Partner with IT, Security, and AV vendors to ensure full integration of technology systems Stakeholder Coordination & Communication Act as the primary engineering liaison between the Managing Director, Project Manager, SVP of Development, and all operational departments Produce regular written status reports on construction progress, open issues, and risk mitigation for senior leadership Collaborate with Rooms, Spa, Food & Beverage, and Health + Performance leadership to ensure all spaces meet Forbes Travel Guide and brand standards Qualifications Required Experience Minimum 10 years of progressive engineering or facilities management experience in luxury hotel, resort, or high-end commercial environments Minimum 3 years of experience in a pre-opening, new-build, or major renovation project leadership role Demonstrated experience managing construction completion, commissioning, and handover on projects of comparable scale and complexity Proven ability to recruit, build, and lead high-performing engineering or facilities teams Preferred Qualifications Experience within luxury hotel or resort brands with Forbes Travel Guide Four- or Five-Star positioning Professional Engineering (PE) license or Certified Energy Manager (CEM) designation Familiarity with Canyon Ranch brand standards, wellness resort operations, or spa/wellness facility systems OSHA 30-hour certification or equivalent safety credential Experience with LEED, WELL Building Standard, or green building certification processes Technical Competencies Deep working knowledge of MEP systems, building automation, fire suppression, elevators, and hospitality-grade HVAC Proficiency with project management tools (Procore, MS Project, Buildertrend, or equivalent) Ability to read, interpret, and redline architectural, structural, and MEP drawings Strong understanding of local building codes, ADA requirements, fire and life safety regulations, and health department standards Comfort working within a luxury guest-experience context where technical excellence and aesthetic sensitivity coexist What We're Looking For Treats the property as if it were their own; anticipates issues before they become crises: Ownership Mindset Drives results with urgency, discipline, and attention to detail in a compressed pre-opening timeline: Execution Excellence Builds credibility and trust with contractors, brand, and fellow department heads alike: Collaborative Leadership Translates complex technical information into clear, actionable language for non-technical audiences: Communication Clarity Maintains composure and sound judgment when managing competing priorities and last-minute changes: Calm Under Pressure Understands that engineering excellence in a Forbes-caliber environment means invisible, flawless infrastructure — never visible deficiency: Luxury Sensibility LOCATION: This position will be onsite in Spicewood, TX #J-18808-Ljbffr