Director of Finance

Capella Hotels and Resorts; Toscana; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director of Finance (DOF) for Capella Florence joins the Guidance Team to lead financial strategy during pre-opening and beyond. This role safeguards assets, drives profitability, and ensures financial excellence across all operations, reporting to General Manager and ownership.

Responsibilities include managing pre-opening budgets, monthly reconciliations, forecasting, and capital planning while ensuring compliance with local laws and owner expectations in a luxury hospitality setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field (CPA/CA preferred).
• 8–12 years of progressive finance leadership experience in luxury hospitality.
• Fluency in English; Italian language knowledge is a plus.
• Proven track record in driving financial performance in high-end hotel or resort environments.
• Experience with international brands and ownership structures.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage pre-opening budget and ensure spending within approved pre-opening budget amount.
• Oversee and manage all aspects of the Finance department and ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Deliver accurate financial reporting, internal control compliance and business management with integrity and accuracy.
• Advocate departmental programs and policies to the Guidance Team, Department Heads and colleagues.
• Ensure monthly reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts are prepared and signed off per policy.
• Monitor and manage labour costs; plan vacations to minimize overtime; comply with local laws.
• Prepare monthly forecasts and annual operating and capital expenditure budgets; review cash position monthly.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of hotel services, activities, promotions and events; communicate changes to staff.
• Foster a positive working environment and maintain strong cross-department relationships.

Skills

English fluency

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Financial performance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting

CPA/CA preferred

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Finance (DOF) serves as a strategic business partner to the General Manager and ownership, responsible for safeguarding assets, maximizing profitability, and ensuring financial excellence across all operations.

As the Pre-Opening DOF for Capella Florence and member of the Guidance Team (Executive Committee), the individual will oversee pre-opening, critical path leading to the opening, and setting up of company policies. This role oversees financial strategy, governance, compliance, and operational performance, protecting owner investments, and driving sustainable value creation in a luxury hospitality environment.

THE ROLE

• Manage to ensure the hotel spends within the approved pre-opening budget amount.
• Oversees and manages all aspects of the Finance department and ensures that all team members comply with service standards, departmental policies and operating procedures set by the hotel.
• Continuously deliver the highest level of product with respect to financial reporting and analysis, internal control compliance and business management. Ensure this is done with both integrity and accuracy.
• Effectively advocate departmental programs and policies to the Guidance Team, Department Heads and all colleagues.
• Ensures that monthly reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts are prepared and signed off in accordance with policy.
• Monitor and effectively manage labour costs; plan vacations effectively while minimizing overtime. Ensure all team members and colleagues comply with the local employment/labour laws.
• Prepare monthly forecasts and annual operating and capital expenditure budgets as required by Corporate Office and/or Owners. Review the cash position of the hotel monthly in order to optimize the use of funds.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the hotel daily services, activities, promotion, and events. Effectively communicate and update all team members on any changes to ensure guests receive up-to-date information.
• Foster a positive working environment for all team members and check in regularly to ensure team members satisfaction and maintain strong working relationships within the team. Give praises and encouragements for good performances.
• Maintains strong working relationships with other departments to ensure effective communications for operational issues, serves as a role model for inter-departmental collaboration and support.

TALENT PROFILE

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field (CPA/CA preferred)

Work Experience

• Minimum 8–12 years of progressive finance leadership experience within luxury hospitality

Technical Skills

• Candidate must be fluent in English with excellent knowledge of Italy’s business legislation, fluency in Italian language spoken and written is an advantage
• Proven track record in driving financial performance in high-end hotel or resort environments
• Experience working with international brands and ownership structures
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

Kindly be informed only shortlisted candidates will be notified.