Maintenance & Engineering Manager – Lodge

Description

ABOUT CHETOLA RESORT

For over 180 years, Chetola Resort has offered guests a timeless mountain escape in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Serving as the gateway to beautiful Blowing Rock, North Carolina as a luxury haven where adventure meets tranquility, Chetola blends refined hospitality with immersive outdoor experiences—from Orvis®-endorsed fly fishing to award-winning dining, spa indulgence, and family-friendly recreation. We are embracing an exciting new chapter rooted in thoughtful renewal, authentic elegance, and exceptional guest service. Blowing Rock boasts many of the most luxurious residences in all of the Carolinas, with an affluent clientele in a year-round destination.

THE ROLE

Chetola Resort is seeking an experienced Maintenance & Engineering Manager to lead all engineering, preventive maintenance, and repair operations for the Lodge, including guestrooms, restaurants, meeting and event spaces, spa, fitness center, public areas, pools, and back-of-house facilities.

As a key member of the leadership team, you will ensure our facilities are safe, beautiful, and operating seamlessly while delivering the exceptional guest experience expected of a luxury resort. This hands-on leader develops people, drives operational excellence, and fosters a culture of craftsmanship, accountability, and preventive maintenance.

Working closely with the Maintenance Manager – Condominiums, you'll coordinate resort-wide emergency response, capital planning, and shared engineering resources while maintaining primary responsibility for the Lodge and its associated facilities.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Lodge Maintenance Operations

• Lead the day-to-day maintenance and engineering operations for the Lodge and hotel facilities.
• Supervise, schedule, coach, and develop the Lodge Maintenance team.
• Ensure guestrooms, public spaces, restaurants, spa, meeting rooms, pools, and mechanical spaces remain in excellent condition.
• Champion a culture where preventive maintenance, craftsmanship, and attention to detail ensure guests experience facilities that are consistently clean, safe, functional, and guest-ready.
• Conduct routine inspections, maintain organized engineering work areas, and respond promptly to guest requests, operational emergencies, and critical building system issues.
• Manage small capital improvement projects, guestroom renovations, equipment replacements, and facility upgrades from planning through completion.

Preventive Maintenance

• Develop and oversee a comprehensive preventive maintenance program.
• Oversee routine inspection, testing, and maintenance of: HVAC systems, plumbing systems, electrical systems, guestroom equipment, boilers and hot water systems, kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, pools and spas, and fire and life safety systems
• Monitor work order completion and implement preventive maintenance strategies that maximize equipment reliability, minimize guest disruption, and preserve the appearance of the resort.

Team Leadership

• Hire, train, mentor, and evaluate maintenance associates.
• Conduct regular safety meetings and technical training.
• Coordinate after-hours coverage and on-call schedules.
• Coach team members to deliver service interactions that reflect luxury hospitality standards whenever they encounter guests.
• Build a culture of accountability, craftsmanship, professionalism, and exceptional guest service through coaching, recognition, and continuous development.
• Partner closely with the Maintenance Manager – Condominiums to coordinate staffing, emergency response, shared resources, preventive maintenance initiatives, and resort-wide operational priorities.

Guest Experience

• Respond promptly to guest maintenance requests with professionalism, empathy, and a sense of urgency.
• Resolve guestroom maintenance concerns quickly while minimizing inconvenience and restoring the guest experience whenever possible.
• Partner closely with Housekeeping and Guest Services to maintain room readiness and maximize guest satisfaction.
• Anticipate maintenance needs before they become guest concerns through regular inspections and preventive care.

Vendor & Contractor Management

• Coordinate vendors and contractors, review proposals, ensure compliance with resort safety and quality standards, and minimize disruption to guests and operations.
• Manage inventory of maintenance supplies, tools, and equipment.
• Collaborate with the Maintenance Manager – Condominiums to coordinate vendors, contractors, equipment, and major projects that impact multiple areas of the resort.

Safety & Compliance

• Maintain compliance with all applicable OSHA, fire, health, and building code requirements.
• Oversee fire alarm, sprinkler, emergency lighting, and life safety inspections.
• Conduct regular safety inspections while maintaining accurate engineering documentation and maintenance records.
• Promote a safe work environment throughout the property.

Financial Responsibility

• Assist in developing and managing the Lodge Maintenance operating budget.
• Monitor expenses and purchasing.
• Recommend capital improvements and equipment replacement plans.
• Identify operational improvements that enhance efficiency, preserve resort assets, and support long-term capital planning in partnership with the Maintenance Manager – Condominiums and resort leadership.

Requirements

ATTENTION TO DETAIL IN ACTION

At Chetola Resort, excellence is found in the details. The Maintenance Manager plays a vital role in ensuring every guest experiences a resort that is safe, beautiful, impeccably maintained, and operating flawlessly—every day.

ABOUT YOU

• A servant leader who understands that exceptional hospitality begins long before a guest checks in.
• Passionate about maintaining a luxury resort where every guestroom, public space, and facility reflects exceptional quality and meticulous attention to detail.
• Committed to anticipating maintenance needs and resolving issues before they impact the guest experience.
• A hands-on leader who enjoys coaching and developing maintenance professionals while fostering a culture of accountability, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement.
• Skilled at balancing preventive maintenance, operational priorities, and guest service in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
• Calm under pressure and confident making decisions during emergencies.
• Collaborative and service-oriented, building strong partnerships across resort departments.
• Takes pride in maintaining facilities that are safe, reliable, visually appealing, and consistently ready to exceed guest expectations.
• Leads with professionalism, integrity, humility, and a genuine commitment to creating memorable guest experiences. Leads by example and willingly works alongside the team when needed.
• Understands that every maintenance task—whether visible or behind the scenes—directly contributes to the guest experience and preservation of one of North Carolina's premier independent resorts.

REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical, vocational, or trade school education in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive maintenance or engineering experience, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role, preferably in a hotel, resort, or hospitality environment.
• Strong working knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire/life safety, and building automation systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing preventive maintenance programs and work order systems.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop a team while fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and exceptional service.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve maintenance issues efficiently while minimizing disruption to guests and resort operations.
• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple competing demands.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) preferred.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, building codes, fire/life safety systems, and hospitality safety standards.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical manuals, and equipment specifications.
• Valid North Carolina driver's license (or ability to obtain one) with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, climb ladders, work in confined spaces, and perform physical tasks associated with maintenance operations.
• Must be able to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Must be available to respond to urgent maintenance issues outside normal business hours, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Hospitality, luxury resort, or full-service hotel experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working in a Forbes Travel Guide, AAA Four Diamond, or AAA Five Diamond environment is preferred but not required.

WHY CHETOLA

• Join one of the High Country's premier independent luxury resorts during an exciting period of growth and investment.
• Lead a dedicated team committed to craftsmanship, operational excellence, and exceptional hospitality.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits for eligible full-time associates, including medical, dental, vision, supplemental insurance, paid time off, and resort perks.
• Opportunity to make a lasting impact on the guest experience while helping shape the future of Chetola Resort.

Chetola Resort is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.