Director of Finance

Job title: Director of Finance

Reports directly to: General Manager

Direct Reports: Accounting Department

Overall Job Purpose

- Functions as the property’s strategic financial business leader.

- The position champions, develops and implements property-wide strategies that deliver products and services to meet or exceed the needs and expectations of the brand’s target customer and property employees.

- The position provides the financial expertise to enable the successful implementation of the brand service strategy and hotel initiatives while maximizing the return on investment.

- In addition, creates and executes a business plan that is aligned with the property and brand’s business strategy and focuses on the execution of financial activities and the delivery of desirable financial results.

Competencies

• Action orientated with a drive for results
• Analytical Skills
• Strong math skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem solver
• Positive approach
• ERP Software and Opera experience

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• Fluent in both Italian and English
• Strong understanding of finance and accounting
• Internationally experienced
• Affinity with a more refined lifestyle

Candidate profile

Education and Experience

Minimum 4-year experience in similar role in comparable property with sizeable rooms and meeting spaces.

Preferred:

• Has demonstrated the ability to always work on behalf of Guests
• Has demonstrated the ability to work with other Team Members
• Successful track record of working in a collaborative/matrixed environment
• Ability to evaluate and identify business opportunities for a business

Principal Accountabilities

Engaging in Strategic Planning and Decision Making

· Develop means to improve profit, including estimating cost and benefit, exploring new business opportunities, etc.

· Analyze information, forecast sales against expenses and create annual budget plans.

· Compile information, analyze and monitor actual sales against projected sales.

· Analyze differences between actual budget wages and forecasted wages for more efficient budget planning.

· Identify the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

· Think creatively and practically to develop, execute and implement new business plans.

· Create the annual operating budget for the property.

· Provide analytical support during budget reviews to identify cost-saving and productivity opportunities for property managers.

· Implement a system of appropriate controls to manage business risks.

· Ensure a strong accounting and operational control environment to safeguard assets, improve operations and profitability.

· Analyze financial data and market trends.

· Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive annual business plan, which is aligned with the company’s and brand’s strategic direction.

· Provide ongoing analytical support by monitoring the operating department’s actual and projected sales.

· Produce accurate forecasts that enable operations to react to changes in the business.

Leading Finance Teams

· Utilize interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and encourage others; advocate sound financial/business decision-making; demonstrate honesty/integrity; lead by example.

· Communicate the strategic goals, the focus, and the owner priorities to subordinates in a clear and precise manner.

· Leverage strong functional leadership and communication skills to influence the executive team, the property's strategies and to lead own team.

· Oversee internal, external and regulatory audit processes.

· Provide excellent leadership by assigning team members and other department managers clear accountability backed by appropriate authority.

· Conduct annual performance appraisals with direct reports according to standard operating procedures.

Anticipating and Delivering on the Needs of Key Stakeholders

· Attend meetings and communicate with the owners, understanding the priorities and strategic focus.

· Understand and meet the needs of key stakeholders (owners, corporate, guests, etc.).

· Advise the GM and executive committee on existing and evolving operating/financial issues.

· Communicate financial concepts in a clear and persuasive manner that is easy to understand and drives desired behaviors.

· Demonstrate an understanding of cash flow and owner priorities.

· Manage communication with owners in an effective manner.

· Manage property working capital and cash flow in accordance with brand standard operating procedures and owner requirements.

· Facilitate critique meetings to review information with the management team.

Developing and Maintaining Finance Goals

· Ensure Profits and Losses are documented accurately.

· Monitor all taxes that apply, ensuring that taxes are current, collected and/or accrued.

· Submit reports in a timely manner, ensuring delivery deadlines.

· Develop and support achievement of performance goals, budget goals, team goals, etc.

· Improve profit growth in operating departments.

· Review audit issues to ensure accuracy.

· Monitor the purchasing process as applicable.

Managing Projects and Policies

· Generate and provide accurate and timely results in the form of reports, presentations, etc.

· Reconcile balance sheet to ensure account balances are supported by appropriate documentation in accordance with standard operating procedures.

· Ensure that the P&L is accurate (e.g., costs are properly matched to revenue; costs are recorded in the proper accounts).

· Ensure compliance with management contract and reporting requirements.

· Ensure compliance with standard and local operating procedures.

· Ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.

Managing and Conducting Human Resource Activities

· Ensure team members are cross-trained to support successful daily operations.

· Ensure property policies are administered fairly and consistently.

· Ensure new hires participate in the department’s orientation program.

· Ensure new hires receive the appropriate new hire training to successfully perform their job.

· Create appropriate development plans which develop team members based on their individual strengths, development needs, career aspirations and abilities.

· Conduct performance review process for employees.

· Participate in hiring activities as appropriate.