At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering operations and ensure luxury standards at the historic Cambridge House.
- Company: Join the prestigious Auberge Collection, known for exceptional hospitality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative project that blends history with modern luxury.
- Qualifications: Experience in luxury hotel engineering and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Exciting pre-opening phase with a chance to shape a landmark destination.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Since 1756, Cambridge House has been the home where the Great and the Glorious gather. The storied Mayfair townhouse reawakens in 2026. The imaginative renewal of this historic property at 94 Piccadilly will capture the spirit of London like no other, providing a captivating new Mayfair destination for Londoners and international visitors alike.
As Chief Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the pre‑opening and ongoing operation of Cambridge House. Reporting to the Director of Engineering, you will oversee all engineering operations, ensuring the building, plant, and systems operate at the highest luxury standards while preserving the character of this historic property.
This is a hands‑on role combining strategic oversight with daily presence, ensuring that engineering operations run smoothly, guest experiences are seamless, and team members are supported in their roles.
Key Responsibilities:- Act as the first point of contact for internal and external stakeholders seeking support or information from the Engineering Department.
- Lead and coordinate pre‑opening commissioning activities, ensuring all building systems and equipment are ready for operation.
- Oversee the maintenance and safe operation of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, life‑safety, and building management systems.
- Protect and maintain the historic fabric of Cambridge House while supporting operational needs.
- Coordinate contracted maintenance services and statutory inspections, maintaining an annual calendar to minimise disruption to hotel operations.
- Respond to technical issues decisively, maintaining a visible and reassuring presence for team members and guests.
- Support the Director of Engineering in managing the daily activities of the engineering team.
- Provide administrative oversight, including tracking service orders, work permits, contractor access, and bid packages.
- Assist with payroll, scheduling, and maintaining department calendars.
- Maintain accurate records in the Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and ensure team members are supported in inputting data correctly.
- Communicate regularly with operational departments, keeping the hotel team updated on works affecting guest areas.
- Manage purchasing and procurement using Birchstreet, ensuring purchase requests, orders, and reconciliations are accurate and timely.
- Support inventory management, including item codes, order guides, and preferred vendor lists in Birchstreet.
- Assist with vendor selection, competitive bidding, and preparation of RFPs and bid documentation.
- Handle daily receiving of goods and services in Birchstreet, tracking unmatched invoices and departmental checkbooks.
- Maintain records and reporting for capital projects, maintenance, and service contracts.
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and statutory regulations.
- Monitor and support safety standards across the hotel, responding appropriately to incidents or emergencies.
- Maintain a clean, organised, and safe working environment for team members and contractors.
- Proven experience as a Chief Engineer or Senior Engineering Manager in a luxury hotel environment, ideally with pre‑opening experience.
- Strong technical knowledge across hotel engineering systems, including heritage or listed buildings.
- Recognised engineering qualifications or relevant certifications.
- Experience with maintenance operations, procurement, and inventory management, preferably using Birchstreet.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to coordinate team members, contractors, and internal stakeholders effectively.
- Organised, solution‑focused, and able to prioritise tasks in a busy, high‑standard environment.
- Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and energy efficiency initiatives.
- Calm and professional approach, with pride in creating exceptional environments for team members and guests.
Auberge Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine, innovative wellbeing, and gracious yet unobtrusive service.
Chief Engineer in London employer: The Vanderbilt
Contact Detail:
The Vanderbilt Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Cambridge House and its history. Show your passion for the role and the property by discussing how your skills align with their vision for this luxury hotel.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want you to sound confident and authentic, so don’t just memorise answers—make them your own!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance of landing that Chief Engineer role. It shows you're serious about joining the team and gives us a direct line to your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Heritage: When writing your application, let us know why you’re excited about working in a historic property like Cambridge House. Share your thoughts on how you can blend modern engineering with the preservation of our rich heritage.
Be Specific About Your Experience: We want to hear about your previous roles and how they relate to the Chief Engineer position. Highlight any pre-opening experience or work with luxury hotels, and don’t forget to mention your technical skills!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we love a professional tone, don’t shy away from showing a bit of your personality. Let us see who you are beyond your qualifications; it helps us envision you as part of our team at Cambridge House.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Cambridge House!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Vanderbilt
✨Know Your Engineering Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of hotel engineering systems, especially those relevant to heritage buildings. Be ready to discuss how you would maintain and operate these systems while preserving the character of Cambridge House.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chief Engineer, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure environments. Highlight your ability to support and communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be prepared to discuss specific technical issues you've encountered and how you resolved them. This role requires a calm and professional approach, so share instances where you've maintained composure under pressure while ensuring guest experiences remain seamless.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Compliance Standards
Understand the health, safety, and statutory regulations that apply to luxury hotels. Be ready to talk about how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and how you plan to maintain safety standards at Cambridge House.