Corporate Director of Finance, EMEA

Starwood Hotels; London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality company is seeking a Corporate Director of Finance for its EMEA operations. This strategic role involves overseeing financial performance, developing strategies to achieve financial targets, and managing relationships with property owners. The ideal candidate will have strong financial leadership skills and a degree in Finance or a related field, with proven experience in finance leadership roles, ideally in hospitality.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in finance leadership roles, ideally in hospitality or related sectors.
• Strong understanding of financial planning and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting and finance operations across EMEA.
• Develop and execute strategies to meet financial targets.
• Partner with leadership to optimize resource allocation and support financial decisions.
• Manage financial responsibilities including budgeting and reporting.

Skills

Financial analysis

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Team management

Communication

Education

Degree in Finance or related field

Job description

OUR COMPANY

Starwood Hotels management company operates upscale, lifestyle, and luxury properties including 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, Treehouse Hotels, and SH Collection. Over 2,000 team members work daily to create impactful memories by offering exceptional service and making guests feel at home.

Our success is driven by passionate, skilled team members who embody our core values: protecting the earth and caring for its inhabitants. We seek thoughtful, caring, and forward-thinking individuals who inspire, collaborate, and aim to do good.

About the Role...

The Corporate Director of Finance, EMEA, will be a strategic leader overseeing accounting and finance operations across all Starwood Hotels in EMEA. The role involves implementing tools and analyses to drive financial performance and protect assets.

What You’ll Do:

The Corporate Director of Finance, EMEA, is a strategic financial leader who develops and executes portfolio-wide strategies to meet or exceed financial targets, improve processes, and ensure compliance. The role provides financial expertise to support departmental initiatives and maximize ROI.

Key focus areas include:

Financial Leadership:

• Partner with the Area Managing Director and Regional Team to influence strategic direction, identify growth opportunities, optimize resource allocation, and support sound financial decisions.
• Oversee financial responsibilities including business planning, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, financial analysis, cash management, balance sheet reconciliation, and financial reporting.
• Enhance team skills through training on sales, profit maximization, and cost control, providing analytical tools to meet revenue goals and control expenses.
• Use financial data and market insights to anticipate needs, identify issues, and recommend actions to maximize returns, fostering innovation and calculated risk-taking.

Building Relationships/Owner Relations:

• Develop trusting relationships with property owners, understanding management contracts, deal structures, and ROI expectations. Provide valuable insights into financial results and owner priorities.
• Manage communication with owners, including regular updates and presentations on financial performance and business cases.
• Build effective relationships with property leadership, regional and corporate teams, external partners, and auditors.

Additional focus areas:

• Manage and develop finance teams at properties.
• Ensure teams have the necessary tools and accountability.
• Manage corporate cost centers and reporting.
• Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Review audits, financial statements, forecasts, and participate in financial reviews.
• Monitor hotel performance metrics and support financial operations.
• Support recruitment, oversee budgeting, and collaborate on projects and preopening activities.
• Assist with system setups, onboarding, and training of finance staff.