Director of Security and Engineering Requisition ID 2024-56188 Category Security Job Location US-NY-New York Property New York City Growth - Highgate Hotels Compensation Type Yearly Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in U.S. gateway markets including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a rapidly expanding presence in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Highgate’s portfolio of global properties represents an aggregate asset value exceeding $20B and generates over $5B in cumulative revenues. The company provides expert guidance through all stages of the hospitality property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition.  Highgate also has the creativity and bandwidth to develop bespoke hotel brands and utilizes industry-leading proprietary revenue management tools that identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive out performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the industry’s most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in London, New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

Overview

The Director of Security and Engineering is responsible for ensuring the operation of the Security Department in an attentive, friendly, efficient and courteous manner, providing all guests with a safe and secure environment throughout their stay, and for protecting hotel guests, employees and the physical property of the company.  He/she is also responsible for all administrative, financial and operating aspects of the hotel as they directly relate to the engineering division.  He/she is responsible for the safe and profitable operation of the hotel.

Responsibilities Supervise and train all Engineering and Security staff in Customer Service, Empowerment, Standard Operating Procedures and Loss Prevention Standards.Create, approve and post all Engineering and Security staff schedules according to Highgate Hotel standards.Create and adhere to annual budget for both departments.Develop financial forecasts and actively participate in monthly profit/loss review meetings.Develop and implement plans to maintain property, equipment, grounds and other assets in an acceptable state of repair.Ensure the hotel is in compliance with all local, state and federal laws.Create and implement a preventative maintenance program for all hotel equipment.Ensure that all emergency and life safety equipment and systems are inspected, tested and certified per Highgate Hotel standards.Ensure that room maintenance requests are handled in a prompt and courteous manner.Follow up on all alarms immediately to determine the exact location and cause.  Determine emergency status and report findings to Front Desk.  Take immediate action as necessary.Assist as necessary with special projects and renovations.Actively participate in energy conservation programs.Review all guest and meeting planner comment cards to ensure problems are identified and corrected in a timely manner.Ensure compliance with the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA).Administer all vendor contracts controlled by the engineering department.Support and participate in all Highgate Hotel programs.Lead and participate in Highgate Hotel Safety Committee.Direct the Security department ensuring policies and procedures are followed, oversee all reports and follow up of incidents, coordinate and direct the Safety Committee, and implement new training procedures.Administer the hiring, training, reviewing, and employee performance of the security and Engineering staff.  Assign duties and schedules for Security and Engineering Supervisors.Update Emergency Manual as required.  Distribute emergency contact list as required.Coordinate and train hotel personnel on the Emergency Manual semi annually. Participate in the safety portion during hire orientation.Review all incident reports of property losses, fire, accidents, and reports of unusual occurrences to ensure complete investigation and follow up.Conduct fire safety inspections to ensure compliance with the law and corporate policy.Educate staff on the Hazardous Chemical Program (OSHA) and other related safety programs.Supervise the conducting of fire drills, train employees in fire evacuation procedures and ensure that sufficient qualified personnel are available to perform the duties of Fire Safety Director.Oversee activities of our key system to ensure proper access and control.Coordinate and monitor the efficiency of safety and security related programs.Develop and direct the Safety Committee, ensuring training standards are conducted and implemented. Coordinate a safety incentive program to generate safety awareness for employees.Oversee the maintenance records of property costs, fires, and accident reports statistics on lost time, and other reports required by governmental agencies relating to safety and security.Conduct training program for security and fire safety personnel to ensure the readiness of hotel fire response team and fire safety directors.Maintain liaison with various city agencies to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.Recommend to management new safety and security programs, monitoring equipment, and devices that would increase the security of the hotel.Attend outside hotel and security related meetings.Maintain communication with guests before, during and after their stays concerning security and safety related matters.Coordinate resolution of guest incidents and problems and keep guests informed.Correspond with guests and outside law enforcement agencies on a regular basis to insure all security needs are addressed.Salary range for this position is $120,000-$130,000 a year.

 

Qualifications High School diploma required, BS in Fire Science or Police Science Preferred.     At least 5 years Security / Hospitality Experience/ with at least 2 years of  Security Management experience.Fire Safety Director, CPR certification, and First Aid certifiedAt least 5 years of progressive facilities management experience in a hotel or a related field; or a 4-year college degree and at least 1 year of related management experience; or a 2-year college degree and 3 or more years of related management experience.High school diploma or equivalent required.Stationary Engineer’s license if required by local code.HVAC, electrical, plumbing, boiler operations and general maintenance skills required.Long hours sometimes required.Heavy work – Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and /or 50 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.Travel related to company business sometimes required.Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.

 

Highgate Hotels, L.P. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains the policy of recruiting and retaining the best-qualified personnel who demonstrate the ability to perform competently and work well with others. It is the policy of Highgate Hotels to provide equal employment opportunity regardless of race (including traits historically or culturally associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion (including religious dress and religious grooming), color, age (40 and over), genetic information, disability (mental and physical), medical condition (as defined under state law), national origin (including language use restrictions and possession of a driver’s license issued under section 12801.9 of the California Vehicle Code), ancestry, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression), sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, parental status, domestic partner status, citizenship status, pregnancy (including perceived pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or pregnancy-related conditions), military caregiver status, military status, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy of nondiscrimination is applied to all aspects of the employment relationship. The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws in ensuring equal opportunity and employment for qualified persons with disabilities. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

The following link provides more information regarding the Federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment: EEO is the Law – Notice of Applicant Rights Under the Law.