Chief Engineer (freelance mission)

Hospitality Talents is a leading recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier hospitality professionals with prestigious employers.

Our client, a leading hotel operator in Belgium, is urgently seeking an experienced Freelance Maintenance Manager / Chief Engineer to oversee ongoing hotel renovation projects and ensure seamless technical operations across their properties in Ghent, Antwerp, and Brussels. This role focuses on project supervision, preventive/corrective maintenance, and team coordination in a fast-paced, high-standard environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Renovation Project Management:
  
• Supervise and coordinate ongoing renovation works in hotel properties, ensuring compliance with timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
  
• Liaise with contractors, architects, and internal teams to minimize disruptions to operations.
  
• Technical Maintenance:
  
• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance of all hotel facilities (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.).
  
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and hospitality industry standards.
  
• Team Leadership:
  
• Manage and mentor the technical maintenance team (in-house and external).
  
• Organize work schedules and prioritize tasks based on operational needs.
  
• Reporting:
  
• Provide daily/weekly reports on project progress, maintenance activities, and any critical issues.
  
• Collaborate with General Managers and Asset Management teams.
  

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Maintenance Manager or Chief Engineer in 4-5 hotels or luxury hospitality*.
  
• Strong background in hotel renovation projects (from planning to execution).
  
• Fluent in Dutch and English (French is a plus).
  
• Technical expertise: HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing, fire safety, and building automation.
  
• Leadership skills: Ability to manage teams and external contractors under tight deadlines.
  
• Problem-solving: Hands-on approach to troubleshooting and crisis management.
  
• Flexibility: Willingness to travel daily between Ghent, Antwerp, and Brussels.
  

Nice to Have

• Experience working in unionized environments (familiarity with Belgian labor regulations is a plus).
  
• Knowledge of sustainability practices in hotel maintenance (e.g., energy efficiency, waste reduction