Utility Project Manager Jobs in Columbus, GA (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The Director of Facilities Management provides strategic and operational leadership for all engineering, maintenance, and facility operations across Auburn Hospitality's growing portfolio of hotel properties. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this role is responsible for protecting the company's physical assets through effective preventative maintenance programs, capital improvement planning, regulatory compliance, vendor management, and operational excellence.

The Director develops and implements portfolio-wide maintenance strategies that maximize asset life, improve guest satisfaction, ensure brand standard compliance, and support long-term business objectives. This position partners closely with Operations, Asset Management, Finance, and General Managers to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective facilities while leading maintenance teams across multiple locations.

Schedule & Availability

This is an exempt leadership position requiring unrestricted availability.

• Serve as the primary facilities leader for emergency response across the hotel portfolio.
• Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation and respond to critical maintenance emergencies, severe weather events, utility failures, and life-safety incidents.
• Maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as business needs require.
• Travel regularly between hotel properties throughout the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Strategy & Asset Management

• Develop and execute a comprehensive facilities strategy supporting Auburn Hospitality's expanding portfolio of branded hotel properties.
• Lead portfolio-wide preventative maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability, minimize downtime, and extend the useful life of building systems.
• Develop annual operating budgets and long-range Capital Expenditure (CapEx) plans for all properties, including lifecycle replacement planning for HVAC, roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, elevators, pools, parking areas, guest rooms, and public spaces.
• Partner with Asset Management and Executive Leadership to prioritize capital projects based on operational risk, return on investment, guest impact, and brand requirements.
• Analyze maintenance trends, repair history, utility consumption, and equipment performance to improve operational efficiency.
• Identify and implement energy management initiatives, sustainability programs, and cost-saving opportunities across the portfolio.
• Standardize maintenance procedures, preventive maintenance schedules, documentation, and engineering best practices across all hotels.

Daily Operations

• Direct all engineering and maintenance operations for multiple hotel properties while ensuring uninterrupted guest service.
• Ensure all mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), HVAC, life-safety, fire protection, pool, kitchen, laundry, and building systems remain fully operational.
• Oversee preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, inspections, repairs, renovations, and equipment replacements.
• Coordinate facility improvement projects while minimizing operational disruptions.
• Develop maintenance schedules that align with occupancy levels and operational priorities.
• Manage maintenance management systems (CMMS), work order completion, inventory controls, and equipment records.
• Establish service level expectations and key performance indicators (KPIs) for maintenance response times, preventive maintenance completion, and asset performance.
• Evaluate facility conditions through routine property inspections and implement corrective action plans.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, develop, coach, and lead Chief Engineers, Engineering Supervisors, and property maintenance teams.

• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, continuous improvement, and exceptional service.
• Conduct performance evaluations, succession planning, workforce development, and ongoing technical training.
• Ensure maintenance personnel remain current on safety regulations, equipment operation, and hospitality engineering best practices.
• Partner with General Managers and Operations leadership to prioritize maintenance needs while balancing guest satisfaction and financial performance.
• Promote cross-property collaboration and knowledge sharing among engineering teams.

Vendor Management

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with qualified contractors, vendors, suppliers, and service providers.
• Negotiate service agreements and maintenance contracts to maximize value and operational efficiency.
• Monitor contractor performance, insurance compliance, licensing, and service quality.
• Coordinate specialized inspections, warranty work, emergency repairs, and outsourced projects.
• Manage procurement of maintenance materials, equipment, and replacement parts while controlling inventory costs.

Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable OSHA, EPA, ADA, NFPA, local, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain compliance with all franchise brand engineering and property maintenance standards across the hotel portfolio.
• Oversee fire-life safety systems, emergency preparedness planning, and business continuity procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all required inspections, permits, testing schedules, and documentation.
• Lead corrective action efforts following safety incidents, property damage, or regulatory findings.
• Promote a proactive safety culture through regular inspections, audits, and employee training.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, Building Systems, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and progressive facilities leadership experience will be considered.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive facilities or engineering experience within hospitality, commercial real estate, healthcare, higher education, or multi-site property management.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of leadership experience managing facility operations across multiple properties or locations.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing preventative maintenance programs, capital improvement projects, vendor management, and facilities budgets.
• Experience supporting franchised hotel brands (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Choice, Wyndham, etc.) strongly preferred.

Preferred Certifications & Licenses

One or more of the following certifications is strongly preferred:

• Certified Hospitality Facilities Executive (CHFE)
• Certified Facility Manager (CFM)
• Certified Building Operator (CBO)
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO)
• HVAC Technician Certification
• State Mechanical License
• Electrical License
• Plumbing License
• Boiler Operator Certification
• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification
• Certified Energy Manager (CEM)

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This position regularly works in hotel environments, mechanical rooms, rooftops, guest areas, construction sites, and outdoor settings.

The Director must be able to:

• Frequently walk multiple hotel properties and construction areas.
• Lift and move up to 50 pounds on occasion.
• Climb ladders, access rooftops, mechanical spaces, and confined areas as necessary.
• Stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crawl, and reach for extended periods.
• Work in varying temperatures, weather conditions, and noisy environments.
• Operate a motor vehicle to travel between company properties.
• Respond to emergency situations outside normal business hours.

Auburn Hospitality is an equal opportunity employer who participates in the eVerify program. It is our policy to provide equal opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law.