We sit down with the first female graduate from Hilton’s Engineering Management Development Programme, Marwa Leffat.

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Originally from Tunisia, Marwa has always been passionate about technology, physics, and mathematics which eventually led her to take on engineering for her higher studies at the National Engineering School of Gabes, which is considered one of the top universities in the country.

In a male-dominated industry, Marwa found her journey coming to a stagnant when she finally completed her education and graduated from the university. Unwilling to give up, she applied for the Hilton’s Engineering Management Development Programme.

In 2016, Marwa officially joined the Hilton family as part of the hospitality group’s Engineering Management Development Programme, leading to her graduation from the programme in 2018.

She developed her career and was then promoted to Maintenance Engineer and then Assistant Chief Engineer, ultimately leading to her current role as Chief Engineer. Since her first day with Hilton, Marwa has worked with three separate hotels, including the AlRayyan Hotel Doha, Curio Collection by Hilton, the Hilton Doha, and currently the DoubleTree by Hilton Doha – Old Town.

With Hilton’s support, Marwa was able to achieve her dreams of becoming a qualified female engineer in a competitive and male dominated industry. Marwa is now determined to excel in her role and grow in her professional journey where she also helps other women to follow their passions and career goals.

In her current role, along with her team, Marwa leads the hotel’s engineering team in the day-to-day engineering and maintenance operations and manages the hotel’s maintenance expenses.

Why did you decide to go into the hospitality industry?

I chose to go into the hospitality industry, as I felt it offered growth, exposure to a diverse work environment and provides young talent with the opportunity to travel and see the world. Being part of one of the top hospitality companies globally, has given me all these opportunities and more.

Tell us about your tasks in leading the hotel’s engineering team?

When I joined Hilton’s Engineering Management Development Programme, I knew they would provide me with the right tools and the opportunity to help me reach my goal of becoming a Chief Engineer and prepare me for leading a team efficiently. As a Chief Engineer, I now lead the engineering team in day-to-day operations and maintenance work. I am responsible for preparing and monitoring the maintenance schedule as well as overseeing the department’s budgetary spend. Leading the team also includes ensuring proper training and development of their technical skills and emergency procedures.

How do you handle emergency situations and emergency breakdowns?

Like in any other job, we run into unexpected situations at times, therefore, it is important to stay calm and guide the team in the right direction. Due to Hilton’s diligent training procedures, we are all trained on how to follow emergency protocols during urgent situations. Nevertheless, in case of an emergency breakdown, we are required to share immediate temporary solutions to maintain the hotel’s operation in order to focus on resolving the issue.  This requires out of box thinking, which is challenging if you do not stay calm and focused.

There is a great responsibility in the engineering department, as it is one of the vital departments. How do you achieve a balance between your work and personal life?

There are times where you are required to spend more time than your usual shift – which includes being aware of what is going on in terms of operations. However, just like any other role, the key is time management. To get the most out of my personal time, I try to do things I really enjoy – this can be spending time with my loved ones and friends or going to discover new places. I try my best to manage the time I dedicate to my work and to myself, but even if I do work more than what is required, I do not mind as I love what I do.

What are the personal and professional skills do you think a Chief Engineer should have in order to excel in their career?

Chief Engineers are key leaders for an engineering team in hotel operation. So strong communication and leadership skills are vital to efficiently recruit, guide and support the team. Having a technical background and previous experience is important as it will give you advantage when it comes to job related problem resolution.

How do you keep up with the developments in your field?

We live in as world that continues to develop at a rapid pace. To keep up, especially when it comes to engineering, you need to be aware of the ever-changing technology and innovations, which requires consistent reading and research. Online and offline training is provided by Hilton’s Engineering Operations Team, which aids in keeping up to date with developments. On occasion, we participate in engineering related conferences and exhibitions, which helps us learn from our peers. On top of this, Hilton has online platform called Hilton University that provides access to a wealth of relevant courses and trainings.

What are the main challenges you face in a male-dominated field?

Working in Hilton I do not really face any challenges when it comes to this issue. Hilton has a comfortable environment for every team member and a host of career development opportunities, no matter the gender, nationality, or background. They have supported and encouraged me right from the beginning of my journey with them. However, when meeting people outside, I can still see the surprise on their face when they discover that the Chief Engineer of the hotel is a lady.

How would you rate Hilton’s culture and strategy in creating more opportunities for female leadership roles?

I would rate Hilton’s culture and strategy highly. When I joined Hilton’s Engineer Training Programme all the way to becoming Chief Engineer at DoubleTree by Hilton Doha – Old Town, I have received continuous support and encouragement. This experience is not only my own as I often hear about the achievements of other female leaders at Hilton and it is truly inspiring.