Regional Hotel Finance Support - Raffles and Fairmont

Accor Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Raffles and Fairmont, part of the Accor hospitality network, seek an experienced Regional Hotel Finance Support professional to provide regional financial leadership, operational support, and technical guidance to hotel Directors of Finance.

Based in Dubai, UAE, the role spans Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, focusing on strengthening financial controls and improving budgeting and forecasting accuracy.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of relevant business experience including team leadership
• Significant experience as a Hotel Finance Director or Area Finance Director in international hospitality
• Fluency in English and strong communication skills
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting in multi-property environments

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day financial guidance to hotel Directors of Finance.
• Respond to hotel regional and corporate finance requirements.
• Act as SME on hotel finance processes and USALI standards.
• Support use of Sun and Opera systems across properties.
• Lead on-site finance support across the region as priorities dictate.
• Provide interim finance leadership during Director absences.

Skills

Hotel financial leadership

Team leadership

Financial analysis

USALI expertise

Cross-border operations

Education

Degree in Economics/Accounting or MBA

Tools

Sun Systems

Opera

Job description

Regional Hotel Finance Support - Raffles and Fairmont Job Snapshot - Role: Regional Hotel Finance Support - Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Hospitality - Function: Finance/Accounting General - Experience: Minimum 10 years of relevant business experience, including team leadership - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Raffles and Fairmont, part of the Accor hospitality network, are seeking an experienced hotel finance professional to provide regional financial leadership, operational support, and technical guidance to hotel Directors of Finance. Based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the role supports hotel finance operations across multiple international markets, with travel required across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The position focuses on strengthening financial controls, improving budgeting and forecasting accuracy, supporting new hotel openings and integrations, and ensuring consistent implementation of corporate finance policies and procedures. Working closely with hotel Finance Directors, regional leadership, and corporate stakeholders, the successful candidate will review financial performance, challenge commercial assumptions, support internal audit remediation, and provide interim finance leadership when required. Candidates must have significant experience as a Hotel Finance Director or Area Finance Director within an international hospitality environment, together with strong financial, analytical, commercial, and project management capabilities.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates - City: Dubai - Industry: Hospitality - Function: Finance/Accounting General - Salary: Not disclosed - Gender: No Preference - Candidate Nationality: Not specified - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day financial guidance and operational support to hotel Directors of Finance.
• Respond to hotel, regional, and corporate finance requirements across assigned properties.
• Act as a subject-matter expert on hotel finance processes, accounting systems, and financial reporting standards.
• Provide technical guidance on the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI).
• Support hotel finance teams in the effective use of Sun and Opera systems.
• Deliver on-site finance assistance across the region according to business priorities.
• Provide interim financial leadership during periods of Hotel Finance Director absence.
• Strengthen working relationships between hotel finance teams, regional leadership, and corporate stakeholders.

Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting

• Oversee the quality, accuracy, and consistency of hotel budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Review financial assumptions and challenge projections to improve forecast reliability.
• Support the preparation and review of hotel budgets, accruals, and financial reports.
• Lead structured trading reviews using financial KPIs, benchmarking, and performance analysis.
• Identify financial risks, operational weaknesses, and opportunities to improve business results.
• Review revenue, profitability, and other relevant hotel financial indicators.
• Recommend corrective actions based on financial performance and commercial analysis.
• Support hotel Finance Directors in strengthening financial planning and reporting practices.

Financial Performance and Commercial Analysis

• Analyze hotel financial results and identify opportunities to improve operating performance.
• Evaluate business performance against budgets, forecasts, and relevant benchmarks.
• Challenge key commercial and financial assumptions through constructive review.
• Prepare regional financial analysis, management reports, and presentations.
• Provide financial insights to support operational and strategic decisions.
• Respond to ad-hoc financial analysis and business reporting requests.
• Apply strong financial valuation and commercial analysis skills when reviewing business performance.
• Support consistent financial reporting across hotels and regional operations.

New Hotel Openings and Integrations

• Provide finance support for new hotel openings, takeovers, and property integrations.
• Assist hotel teams in preparing finance operations for opening or transition.
• Support implementation of financial procedures, reporting requirements, and relevant systems.
• Coordinate with hotel and corporate stakeholders to address finance readiness requirements.
• Help ensure effective financial transitions during changes in hotel operations or management.
• Identify financial process gaps and support appropriate corrective actions.
• Share relevant technical knowledge and operational guidance with hotel finance teams.

Financial Controls and Internal Audit

• Monitor compliance with established financial controls, corporate policies, and reporting procedures.
• Support hotel Finance Directors in reviewing Management Agreements and Hotel Agreements.
• Assist in identifying and monitoring financial obligations arising from relevant contractual agreements.
• Support the implementation of internal audit recommendations.
• Monitor the progress and closure of audit remediation actions.
• Identify weaknesses in financial processes and recommend improvements.
• Promote consistent application of Raffles, Fairmont, and Accor finance policies.
• Support a strong financial control environment across hotel operations.

Receivables and Financial Risk Management

• Monitor hotel and Accor receivables to support timely collection.
• Review outstanding balances and identify overdue or delinquent accounts.
• Ensure appropriate follow-up and escalation of collection concerns.
• Coordinate with relevant finance teams to address outstanding receivables.
• Support compliance with established credit control and financial procedures.
• Identify potential collection risks and communicate significant concerns to appropriate stakeholders.

Finance Leadership, Training and Development

• Support structured onboarding for newly appointed Hotel Finance Directors and Finance Managers.
• Develop and use standard operating procedures, training materials, and onboarding tools.
• Deliver individual and group training on financial processes, operational controls, and reporting requirements.
• Provide coaching and technical guidance to hotel finance teams.
• Support knowledge sharing and consistent application of finance standards across properties.
• Help strengthen the financial management capabilities of hotel finance leadership.
• Build productive relationships with finance colleagues and operational stakeholders.
• Promote accountability, financial discipline, and continuous improvement.

Regional and Global Finance Projects

• Contribute to regional and global finance initiatives involving Raffles, Fairmont, and Accor.
• Support the implementation of corporate finance policies, procedures, and systems.
• Coordinate project activities across multiple hotels and business units.
• Work effectively within an international matrix organizational structure.
• Collaborate with regional and corporate stakeholders to deliver project objectives.
• Monitor implementation progress and help resolve operational or financial challenges.
• Support consistent finance practices across different properties and markets.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant business experience, including team leadership responsibilities.
• Significant experience as a Hotel Finance Director or Area Finance Director within an international hospitality environment.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in Economics, Accounting, or Business, or an MBA.
• Proven project management experience within a matrix organization and across multiple business units.
• Experience working in an international or global organization.
• Strong understanding of the leisure and hospitality industry.
• Comprehensive knowledge of hotel operations and corporate finance.
• Strong financial, analytical, numerical, and commercial capabilities.
• Sound understanding of financial valuation and business performance.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Fluency in English.
• Willingness and ability to travel across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Technical Knowledge and Systems

• Strong knowledge of hotel finance processes and financial reporting.
• Understanding of USALI accounting and reporting principles.
• Familiarity with Sun and Opera hotel systems.
• Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, accruals, and financial performance analysis.
• Ability to interpret hotel financial statements and operational KPIs.
• Knowledge of financial controls, internal audit requirements, and management agreement obligations.
• Familiarity with business intelligence platforms such as Tableau or Power BI.
• Ability to prepare financial presentations and communicate complex information clearly.

Desirable Experience and Skills

• Previous involvement in new hotel openings and finance transitions.
• French and/or Arabic language skills.
• Experience supporting multiple hotel properties or regional finance operations.
• Ability to coach and influence experienced finance professionals.
• Strong stakeholder relationship management capabilities across international business environments.

Working Environment and Travel

The role requires close collaboration with hotel finance leadership, regional management, and corporate finance teams. The successful candidate must be comfortable working across different business units, managing competing priorities, and providing direct support to hotels when operational or corporate requirements arise. International travel across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa is an important requirement of the position.

About Raffles and Fairmont

Raffles Hotels & Resorts is known for its distinguished landmark properties, refined hospitality, and culturally enriching guest experiences. The brand places importance on local heritage, community relationships, environmental responsibility, and thoughtful service. Its hospitality philosophy is built around making every guest feel welcomed and valued. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts operates a network of approximately 90 properties across 30 countries, with a further 34 properties identified in its development pipeline in the source description. Its international portfolio spans destinations including Hawaii, Canada, London, and the United Arab Emirates. Both brands form part of the Accor hospitality network and share a commitment to exceptional service, professional excellence, and meaningful guest experiences. Accor promotes a workplace culture in which employees are known as Heartists, reflecting the importance of genuine care, personal connections, and responsible hospitality. The group supports diversity and inclusion, professional development, and opportunities for employees to grow within its international hospitality network.