COSKUN OZKOCAN
Executive Director Of Engineering
ISTANBUL,ISTANBUL
Summary
Strategic Leadership professional with over 25 years of global experience in ultra-luxury hospitality and high-end residential operations. As a Canadian citizen and Concordia University alumnus, I embody the "Golden Rule" philosophy in managing high-value assets and fostering high-touch homeowner engagement. I offer a unique 360-degree expertise in bridging luxury asset construction with operational excellence. From managing the full lifecycle of prestigious properties like Mandarin Oriental Bodrum and Istanbul Sapphire to governing mega-scale projects like the $1B+ Samarkand Touristic Center, I ensure that assets are engineered for long-term value, sustainability, and world class service delivery. I am an expert in navigating HOA governance, smart building automation, and international Fire & Life Safety standards, while leading multi-disciplinary teams of up to 180+ staff in diverse, multi-cultural environments.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Engineering
Mandarin Oriental
Bodrum, Turkey
04.2025 - 12.2025
- Managed technical and lifestyle operations for a 250-acre ultra-luxury resort featuring private residences and elite villas.
- Spearheaded infrastructure planning for a 400-acre site expansion, focusing on the integration of new luxury residences and second-phase hotel assets.
- Acted as the primary technical liaison for high-net-worth homeowners, ensuring bespoke service delivery and brand alignment.
- Directed CAPEX/OPEX planning to maintain the property's position as a premier global destination.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Samarkand Touristic Centre
Uzbekistan
05.2024 - 03.2025
- Led the technical infrastructure for a $1B+ multi-asset complex (8 hotels and a Congress Centre).
- Directed pre-opening and commissioning for Hilton and Minyoun brands, ensuring 100% compliance with international luxury standards.
Director Of Engineering (Pre Opening)
InterContinental Hotel & Resort
Uzbekistan
09.2023 - 09.2024
- Orchestrated full engineering strategy from ground-zero to grand opening, delivering brand-compliant life safety and operational systems.
- Built and trained the engineering organization from scratch, implementing all SOPs and emergency response protocols.
- Focused on developing local talent through hands-on technical training and leadership coaching.
- Adhered to overall company business goals, meeting prescribed completion deadlines on 90% of projects.
- Adhered to overall company business goals, meeting prescribed completion deadlines on 90% of projects.
- Reduced company expenditures and loss by 25% by implementing proactive maintenance procedures.
Director Of Engineering (Pre-Opening)
Hilton Tashkent City & Aqtash Estate
Uzbekistan
03.2019 - 09.2023
- Appointed to lead the commissioning of the Aqtash Government VIP Estate, managing high-security and luxury residential requirements.
- Led the technical handover and stabilization phase, resolving critical construction defects to ensure a seamless guest experience.
- Consistently led multicultural teams, fostering a culture of technical excellence and preparing junior engineers for senior leadership roles.
- Adhered to overall company business goals, meeting prescribed completion deadlines on 90% of projects.
- Administered safety plans to train 25 employees on meeting and exceeding OSHA safety standards.
- Reduced company expenditures and loss by 25% by implementing proactive maintenance procedures.
Test & Commissioning Group Manager
Maslak 1453 (Agaoglu / Akdeniz Insaat)
Istanbul, Turkey
07.2015 - 12.2018
- Managed the technical handover and operational setup for a 5,000-unit mixed-use project, the largest of its kind in Europe.
Director of Engineering (Pre-Opening)
Rixos Hotels & Resorts
Sochi - Russia
04.2013 - 06.2015
- Coordinated the launch of 32 hotels simultaneously for the Sochi Winter Olympics, maintaining rigorous international safety and quality codes.
- Opening RIXOS KHADISHA SHYMKENT Hotel (Shymkent / Kazakhstan)
- Developed and executed strategic plans for technology integration across multiple departments.
- Analyzed industry trends to inform strategic decisions on technology adoption and innovation initiatives.
- Established robust safety protocols to minimize accidents, resulting in a safer working environment for all employees.
- Streamlined engineering processes for increased efficiency, leading to faster project completion and reduced costs.
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings with proactive communication, addressing concerns promptly, and seeking feedback for improvements.
- Developed high-performing engineering teams through strategic hiring, focused mentoring, and performance management initiatives.
Manager of Engineering Department
Istanbul Sapphire Residence & Mall
Istanbul, Turkey
01.2010 - 03.2013
- Directed the technical launch and lifecycle management for Turkey's tallest and most complex vertical city (high-rise) project, featuring 261 meters of luxury residential and retail spaces.
- Orchestrated the seamless transition from construction to live operations, managing the testing and commissioning of high-speed vertical transportation, advanced HVAC, and state-of-the-art Fire & Life Safety systems.
- Oversaw the engineering operations for ultra-luxury residential units, a premium shopping mall, and public observation decks, ensuring 24/7 reliability in a high-visibility environment.
Project Specialist
Siemens A.Ş.
Istanbul, Turkey
03.2006 - 11.2009
- Standardized engineering and maintenance protocols across 21 diverse corporate locations, ensuring 100% alignment with Siemens' global technical excellence and safety benchmarks.
- Managed the end-to-end lifecycle of high-value service contracts and vendor agreements, collaborating with Legal departments to mitigate risk and ensure quality delivery.
- Spearheaded regional energy-saving and utility optimization projects, achieving significant operational cost reductions across the entire portfolio.
- Established monthly KPI-based reporting structures and PPM (Planned Preventive Maintenance) audit systems for Chief Engineers across the region.
Director of Engineering
Regent Hotel (InterContinental Brand Transition)
Almaty, Kazakhstan
07.2005 - 02.2006
- Spearheaded the comprehensive technical renovation and infrastructure upgrade to transition the property from a 4-star Regent to a 5-star InterContinental hotel, in direct coordination with IHG global engineering teams.
- Successfully managed and implemented IHG's stringent global brand standards, ensuring the facility met all luxury audit requirements, including MEP, Fire & Life Safety, and operational excellence.
- Directed full-scale renovation projects to modernize the physical plant, upgrading all technical systems to achieve world-class 5-star service flow and reliability.
Chief Engineer / Building Technologist
Ivanhoe Cambridge (CDP Capital)
BC, Canada
04.1998 - 06.2005
- Played a critical technical role in the expansion of Metropolis at Metrotown (one of Canada's largest malls) and the construction of Metro Tower 1 & 2 (Class-A Office Towers).
- Successfully promoted to Chief Engineer at Guildford Town Centre following the delivery of major structural and technical construction projects.
- Directed large-scale commercial asset operations in full compliance with stringent Canadian Building Codes, NFPA Fire & Life Safety, and ASHRAE energy standards.
- Leveraged advanced building technology principles to optimize the lifecycle and performance of complex mechanical and structural systems.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Building Science And Management
Concordia University
Canada06.1997
Electrical TQ Certificate - Electrical Trade Qualification
Ministry of Advanced Training And Technology
Canada07.1992
High School Diploma - Electrical
Gultepe Technical Institute
Turkey07.1983
Skills
- Design-to-Operation
- Operational Excellence
- Residential & HOA Governance
- Asset & Financial Stewardship
Languages
English
Turkish
Executive Profile - Summary
Strategic Leadership professional with over 25 years of global experience in ultra-luxury hospitality and high-end residential operations. I embody the 'Golden Rule' philosophy in managing high-value assets and fostering high-touch homeowner engagement. I offer a unique 360-degree expertise in bridging luxury asset construction with operational excellence.
Personal Information
Citizenship: Canadian
Timeline
Director of Engineering
Mandarin Oriental
04.2025 - 12.2025
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Samarkand Touristic Centre
05.2024 - 03.2025
Director Of Engineering (Pre Opening)
InterContinental Hotel & Resort
09.2023 - 09.2024
Director Of Engineering (Pre-Opening)
Hilton Tashkent City & Aqtash Estate
03.2019 - 09.2023
Test & Commissioning Group Manager
Maslak 1453 (Agaoglu / Akdeniz Insaat)
07.2015 - 12.2018
Director of Engineering (Pre-Opening)
Rixos Hotels & Resorts
04.2013 - 06.2015
Manager of Engineering Department
Istanbul Sapphire Residence & Mall
01.2010 - 03.2013
Project Specialist
Siemens A.Ş.
03.2006 - 11.2009
Director of Engineering
Regent Hotel (InterContinental Brand Transition)
07.2005 - 02.2006
Chief Engineer / Building Technologist
Ivanhoe Cambridge (CDP Capital)
04.1998 - 06.2005
Bachelor of Science - Building Science And Management
Concordia University
Electrical TQ Certificate - Electrical Trade Qualification
Ministry of Advanced Training And Technology
High School Diploma - Electrical
Gultepe Technical Institute