Pre-Opening & Development Phase
- Serve as the executive engineering leader during pre-opening, working alongside Development, Construction, Design, and Project Management teams
- Provide oversight and input on building systems, infrastructure, commissioning, testing, and turnover readiness
- Lead operational readiness planning, including asset lifecycle planning, maintenance strategies, staffing models, and SOP development
- Partner on large-scale system installations, technology integration, and handoff from construction to operations
- Establish preventive maintenance programs for the entire resort including guestrooms, public areas, venues, attractions, etc., vendor partnerships, and service contracts ahead of opening
- Develop department structure, workforce plans, and leadership roles in preparation for scale
Transition to Operations
- Oversee the seamless transition from construction to full resort operations, ensuring systems perform safely, reliably, and at world-class standards
- Build, lead, and inspire a facilities organization of 100+ team members across multiple disciplines and venues
- Drive operational excellence across all resort facilities, including hotels, entertainment venues, attractions, public spaces, and back-of-house infrastructure
- Develop and manage operating and capital budgets, including forecasting, cost controls, and long-term reinvestment planning
- Implement standards, policies, and performance metrics to support efficiency, safety, and guest experience
- Ensure full compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, certifications, inspections, and safety requirements
- Lead emergency preparedness, response planning, and incident management protocols
- Partner closely with Operations, Entertainment, IT, Safety, Finance, and HR to support a complex, 24/7 resort environment
- Champion sustainability, energy efficiency, and asset preservation initiatives
What You Bring:
- 10+ years of senior leadership experience in facilities and engineering, ideally within large-scale resorts, hotels, entertainment destinations, theme parks, or mixed-use developments
- Proven success leading organizations of significant scale (100+ team members preferred)
- Strong experience in pre-opening, development, commissioning, or major capital projects
- Deep technical knowledge of commercial/light industrial building systems including HVAC with multiple chillers and chiller plants (60 to 5500 tons each), electrical with owner provided sub-station, plumbing, life safety, controls, and infrastructure.
- Demonstrated ability to build multiple teams, processes, and culture from the ground up
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing large operating and capital budgets
- A leadership philosophy aligned with VAI’s CORE values: Collaboration, Ownership, Resilience, and Enthusiasm
Education / Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Facilities Management, or a related field strongly preferred
- Hold advanced degree or professional certifications (PE, CFM, LEED, or similar)
- Equivalent experience will be considered
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to navigate a large, active resort and construction environment, including mechanical spaces and rooftops
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds
- Availability to respond to emergencies and critical operational needs as required
Benefits:
VAI Resort values our team members and their families and offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Company-paid life insurance and AD&D, with optional supplemental plans (group life, critical illness, short-term and long-term disability, and more)
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, and nine (9) paid holidays per year
- Career growth and professional development opportunities
- 401(k) retirement plan with Company match