Let’s Go Lisbon!

Slated to open in 2026, The Standard, Lisbon marks our long-anticipated arrival in one of Europe’s most happening cities. Located at Palácio Santa Clara, the hotel rises above the colourful alleyways of Alfama—Lisbon’s most picturesque neighbourhood—offering front-row views of the river. Built atop the ancient College of St. Francis Xavier, which served as the Portuguese Royal Navy Hospital for over 200 years, the property is being reimagined by acclaimed architect Samuel Torres de Carvalho. His design respects the building’s heritage while looking ahead to a bold, unconventional Lisbon.

Anchored in food, music, art, and culture, The Standard, Lisbon brings our signature design and experience-driven philosophy to Portugal. With 165 guestrooms and 24 adjacent apartments, the expansive property features vibrant spaces for day- and nightlife programming. The ground floor welcomes guests and locals with a lobby lounge, pharmacy bar, all-day dining restaurant, and multiple terraces, gardens, and a pool deck. Upstairs includes a café, spa, gym, and event spaces. The rooftop bar and terrace are poised to become a neighbourhood destination.

Our signature blend of playful, sophisticated, and unexpected hospitality finds resonance in the cultural heart of Lisbon. Set in Fado’s holy land—a maze of staircases, patios, and hidden corners—The Standard offers a dynamic contrast that surprises and delights.

As we enter our pre-opening phase, we’re now looking for a Director of Engineering who will embody our ‘Anything but Standard’ ethos.

Your role

As our Director of Engineering, you’ll work in close partnership with the General Manager and Regional Director of Engineering to oversee the Engineering function of our new Lisbon property. As a key member of the senior pre-opening team, you’ll manage critical Engineering and Building projects during the final stages of construction and the pre-opening period, ensuring all timelines are maintained and the hotel opens as scheduled. You will also work closely with the wider development and construction team, as well as with our ownership group, Stone Capital—serving as a vital link between these stakeholders and our senior executive team throughout this important final phase.

Following the hotel’s opening, your focus will shift to the ongoing management of our building, facilities, and assets. You’ll be supported by a dedicated in-house Engineering team, along with the wider development facilities team overseeing shared services within the building. Operationally, this includes leading Duty Engineers and trade specialists who ensure the hotel is maintained to the highest standards, creating an exceptional environment for guests and employees alike. You’ll also coordinate the work of external contractors and engineers as required.

As a trade specialist, you’ll naturally feel comfortable ‘working on the tools’ and bring a flexible, hands-on, and adaptive operational approach to leading and training your team. You’ll be equally confident in front- and back-of-house areas—from plant rooms and kitchens to spa, swimming pool, and guest rooms, ensuring every space is consistently well-maintained and presented in pristine condition.

With distinct leadership qualities and a meticulous eye for detail, you’ll deliver a high-quality engineering service and uphold the highest standards through ongoing coaching and development of your team. You’ll also be responsible for senior management duties under the direction of the General Manager, including the implementation of Fire, Health & Safety procedures, safety checks, contractor management, and oversight of service level agreements for plant and equipment.
Strategically, you’ll lead all planned maintenance, manage Capex budgets, and cost future projects across building works, FF&E, and contractor services.

This is not a ‘Standard’ Director of Engineering position, so you will need to have miles and miles of personality and stamina, be highly social, upbeat and friendly; confident and can handle pressure well; thrive in a high-volume, high-energy environment and able to work equally well both independently and as part of a team.

Do you have what it takes to be our Director of Engineering at The Standard, Lisbon?

A minimum of 5+ years’ experience Senior Hotel Engineering experience with at least 3 years as a Director of Engineering or Chief Engineer, ideally gained within a similar Lifestyle Hotel or large 4- or 5-star Hotel in Lisbon or Portugal.

In addition to this, the ideal candidate will also…

• A qualified trade professional; ideally holding trade qualifications/licences for either Electrical, Mechanical, Gas/Plumbing or HVAC combined with a solid understanding of hotel operations, facilities and BMS
• Experienced of working with ‘wet leisure’ spa facilities and swimming pool maintenance
• Pre-opening Hotel Experience
• Exceptional project management skills and experience of delivering complex hotel engineering projects and managing a critical path
• A solid understanding of Portuguese Health & Safety, COSHH, Fire Safety, Building Safety and facilities legislation
• Experience of creating Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work
• Prior experience of managing a team and prioritising and allocating work (previous use of facilities management system)
• Your communication skills will be exceptional with the ability and confidence to build strong working relationships at all levels of the business
• In addition to this you will also need to be highly organised with great attention to detail and demonstrate proven experience in the day-to-day management of a large and highly visible team.
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong Administration and IT skills with experience of managing budgets and financial resources
• Fluency in Portuguese in addition to English is preferred for this role
• During our preopening period you may need to have a flexible approach to working hours

If you think you have what it takes to be our Director of Engineering at The Standard, Lisbon we’d love to hear from you!

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the European Union. Documented evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates prior to commencing employment.