Facilities Director Carlsbad, US
Merlin Entertainments, Carlsbad, CA, United States
What you’ll bring to the team
Role Summary
The Facilities Director is a critical senior leader responsible for driving the performance, reliability, and safety of all technical and infrastructure assets across the resort.
This role sits at the intersection of engineering excellence, operational delivery, and commercial performance—ensuring that every ride, facility, and system operates safely, efficiently, and in a way that enhances the overall guest experience.
You will lead a complex, multi-disciplinary technical organization, partnering closely with senior stakeholders to shape asset strategy, capital investment, and long-term sustainability. Your impact will be seen in improved uptime, reduced risk, optimized spend, and a consistently high-quality guest environment.
What You’ll Own
Strategic & Technical Leadership
Define and execute a forward‑looking Technical Services strategy aligned to business goals
Act as the senior advisor on asset reliability, engineering risk, and infrastructure planning
Drive alignment between technical operations and commercial outcomes (guest experience, uptime, cost efficiency)
Asset Management & Operational Excellence
Ensure all rides, facilities, and infrastructure operate at best‑in‑class reliability and safety standards
Lead proactive maintenance strategies, improving availability, lifecycle performance, and cost control
Oversee compliance with all regulatory and internal standards, partnering with Health & Safety teams
Opex & Capex Ownership
Own and manage operating and capital budgets, ensuring strategic allocation of resources
Lead long‑term asset replacement and investment planning
Ensure all spend delivers maximum ROI, safety assurance, and operational sustainability
Capital Projects & Development
Oversee major capital programs, including ride installations, infrastructure upgrades, and refurbishments
Evaluate and influence investment decisions based on technical feasibility, lifecycle value, and risk mitigation
Partner with Merlin Magic Making to embed technical excellence into new developments
Governance, Risk & Compliance
Ensure full alignment with Global Technical Services standards and statutory requirements
Act as escalation point for critical technical risks, system failures, and performance issues
Maintain strong audit readiness and ensure closure of non‑conformities
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
Drive innovation across engineering and facilities operations
Introduce new technologies, maintenance strategies, and cost efficiencies
Champion a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence
People Leadership & Capability Building
Lead and develop a large, multi‑functional technical workforce
Build capability across teams, ensuring strong succession planning and talent development
Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and high performance
Sustainability & Environmental Leadership
Partner with sustainability teams to reduce environmental impact and energy consumption
Integrate sustainability into asset lifecycle planning and capital strategy
Lead initiatives that align with Merlin’s long‑term environmental commitments
Vendor & Stakeholder Management
Own key supplier relationships, ensuring performance, safety, and service excellence
Influence senior stakeholders across operations, finance, and global technical teams
Operate confidently at executive level, translating technical insight into business decisions
How You’ll Make an Impact
Improve asset uptime and operational reliability across the resort
Deliver high‑value capital programs that support growth and guest experience
Strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and enhance safety performance
Build a high‑performing technical organization capable of sustained excellence
Qualifications & Experience
What We’re Looking For
Experience
Significant senior leadership experience in engineering, facilities, or asset‑intensive environments
Proven track record managing large‑scale maintenance and capital programs
Experience operating in complex, fast‑paced, multi‑site environments
Capabilities
Deep technical expertise across mechanical, electrical, and infrastructure systems
Strong commercial acumen—able to link technical decisions to business outcomes
Exceptional stakeholder management and executive‑level communication skills
Proven ability to lead change, transformation, and continuous improvement
Data‑driven mindset, using KPIs and insights to drive performance
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent (HNC/HND) in Engineering or related field
NEBOSH or equivalent safety certification preferred
Experience in theme parks, hospitality, or service‑led environments advantageous
Leadership Expectations
Soulfully Curious
You challenge the status quo and continuously seek better ways to operate.
Results Focused
You deliver measurable outcomes and take accountability for performance.
Extraordinary Teammate
You collaborate across boundaries and elevate those around you.
Develops People
You build capability, nurture talent, and create future leaders.
Benefits
Competitive Salary
Generous PTO
Affordable Health Plans
Global Access Pass
Company‑paid Life Insurance
Continued Growth Opportunities
Pay Range
From USD $155,000.00/Yr.
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Role Summary
The Facilities Director is a critical senior leader responsible for driving the performance, reliability, and safety of all technical and infrastructure assets across the resort.
This role sits at the intersection of engineering excellence, operational delivery, and commercial performance—ensuring that every ride, facility, and system operates safely, efficiently, and in a way that enhances the overall guest experience.
You will lead a complex, multi-disciplinary technical organization, partnering closely with senior stakeholders to shape asset strategy, capital investment, and long-term sustainability. Your impact will be seen in improved uptime, reduced risk, optimized spend, and a consistently high-quality guest environment.
What You’ll Own
Strategic & Technical Leadership
Define and execute a forward‑looking Technical Services strategy aligned to business goals
Act as the senior advisor on asset reliability, engineering risk, and infrastructure planning
Drive alignment between technical operations and commercial outcomes (guest experience, uptime, cost efficiency)
Asset Management & Operational Excellence
Ensure all rides, facilities, and infrastructure operate at best‑in‑class reliability and safety standards
Lead proactive maintenance strategies, improving availability, lifecycle performance, and cost control
Oversee compliance with all regulatory and internal standards, partnering with Health & Safety teams
Opex & Capex Ownership
Own and manage operating and capital budgets, ensuring strategic allocation of resources
Lead long‑term asset replacement and investment planning
Ensure all spend delivers maximum ROI, safety assurance, and operational sustainability
Capital Projects & Development
Oversee major capital programs, including ride installations, infrastructure upgrades, and refurbishments
Evaluate and influence investment decisions based on technical feasibility, lifecycle value, and risk mitigation
Partner with Merlin Magic Making to embed technical excellence into new developments
Governance, Risk & Compliance
Ensure full alignment with Global Technical Services standards and statutory requirements
Act as escalation point for critical technical risks, system failures, and performance issues
Maintain strong audit readiness and ensure closure of non‑conformities
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
Drive innovation across engineering and facilities operations
Introduce new technologies, maintenance strategies, and cost efficiencies
Champion a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence
People Leadership & Capability Building
Lead and develop a large, multi‑functional technical workforce
Build capability across teams, ensuring strong succession planning and talent development
Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and high performance
Sustainability & Environmental Leadership
Partner with sustainability teams to reduce environmental impact and energy consumption
Integrate sustainability into asset lifecycle planning and capital strategy
Lead initiatives that align with Merlin’s long‑term environmental commitments
Vendor & Stakeholder Management
Own key supplier relationships, ensuring performance, safety, and service excellence
Influence senior stakeholders across operations, finance, and global technical teams
Operate confidently at executive level, translating technical insight into business decisions
How You’ll Make an Impact
Improve asset uptime and operational reliability across the resort
Deliver high‑value capital programs that support growth and guest experience
Strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and enhance safety performance
Build a high‑performing technical organization capable of sustained excellence
Qualifications & Experience
What We’re Looking For
Experience
Significant senior leadership experience in engineering, facilities, or asset‑intensive environments
Proven track record managing large‑scale maintenance and capital programs
Experience operating in complex, fast‑paced, multi‑site environments
Capabilities
Deep technical expertise across mechanical, electrical, and infrastructure systems
Strong commercial acumen—able to link technical decisions to business outcomes
Exceptional stakeholder management and executive‑level communication skills
Proven ability to lead change, transformation, and continuous improvement
Data‑driven mindset, using KPIs and insights to drive performance
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent (HNC/HND) in Engineering or related field
NEBOSH or equivalent safety certification preferred
Experience in theme parks, hospitality, or service‑led environments advantageous
Leadership Expectations
Soulfully Curious
You challenge the status quo and continuously seek better ways to operate.
Results Focused
You deliver measurable outcomes and take accountability for performance.
Extraordinary Teammate
You collaborate across boundaries and elevate those around you.
Develops People
You build capability, nurture talent, and create future leaders.
Benefits
Competitive Salary
Generous PTO
Affordable Health Plans
Global Access Pass
Company‑paid Life Insurance
Continued Growth Opportunities
Pay Range
From USD $155,000.00/Yr.
#J-18808-Ljbffr