JOB DESCRIPTION

Job summary

• Provide strategic leadership, functional guidance to the hotel DFBPs and work closely with the VP Operations to optimize business decisions with the hotels in the region. Act as the bridge of communication to drive company direction and development to achieve corporate goals and long-term plan.
• We are looking for a highly motivated team player with strong accounting, communication, business presentation and analytical skills as well as a strong leadership in multi-unit business and finance teams.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities – (Key Activities)

• Create and advocate the culture of business partnership by working with the VP Operations, Managing Directors (MD), Directors of Finance Business Partner (DFBP), and VP Finance; responsible for achieving optimal operating performance and returns.
• Review financial performance of hotels, analysis of variances, forecasts, and budgets in the region. Provide guidance and support to hotel strategy to improve effectiveness of the business or financial management and to ensure the full conversion of revenue generation opportunities and the capturing of all revenues.
• Provide oversight in the development of business acumen at all levels of the hotel leadership teams to ensure they understand the impact of every component on the business as a whole and embrace the fiscal reporting processes and other information available in order to drive the performance of their areas of responsibility, including succession planning of key finance positions.
• Integrate and guide the pre-opening process of the finance function by working with hotel DFBP to track critical path, system implementation, and budgeting, etc. to ensure a smooth and successfully opening.
• Lead the development and implementation of benchmarking techniques that will enable the hotels in the region to enhance revenues while improve productivity and cost efficiencies. Identify and implement throughout the hotels in the region, best practices that will serve to enhance revenues, guest service, and improve cost and productivity efficiencies.
• Provide oversight and lead in preparing, in conjunction with the VP Operations, the hotel DFBP and the hotel MD, the annual budget, capital budgets and the rolling forecasts.
• Recommend and engage with Operations in the design, implementation, and use of methods and procedures that improve the accuracy of working schedules in the region, labor standards, forecasts, plans to assist operational staff in the hotels. Monitor on an ongoing basis the accuracy and recommend correct measurements as necessary.
• Work with the VP Operations to review hotel performance monthly in the region and understand action plan and strategy of the region on mitigating short fall or realizing opportunity in more revenue.
• Review the monthly forecast accuracy report for hotels with-in the region and drive accuracy in forecasting.
• Oversee the preparation of all financial statements, accounting and statistical reports, and any other special reports that may be required by corporate office or VP Finance.
• Ensure the properties within the region are reporting in compliance with the Uniform Chart of Accounts and company policies.
• Working with the RVPs and Corporate Finance, conduct regular operations risk assessments such as Operations Management Review (OMR) at least once a year at hotel that is under regional oversight, establish a risk register for the hotels and assist with preparing an action plan addressing the mitigation of identified risks, subject to regular reporting and follow up on the execution of the risk action plan. Ensure the timing and accurate reporting of all incidents in accordance with Company protocol.
• Review the balance sheet in region as per defined schedule. Be responsible for any remediation action plans across the hotels as a result of these reviews as well as any on site audit completed by Internal Audit.
• Work with the hotel DFBP to develop successors and high potential associate for internal career development and advancement.
• Recruit potential finance talents into the company to support the pipeline development.
• Participate in business travel as needed to provide the oversight within the region.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated ability to assess and understand a variety of internal and external economic and financial issues which impact the business, to analyze data and forecast future business trends, and to develop effective financial plans based on businesses assessments in multiple locations.
• Demonstrated experience in leading & developing people and multiple teams. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written to address all levels within the organization and ability to gain consensus and influence others.
• Demonstrated experience with accounting system or similar financial software for the purpose of financial reporting, analysis and presentation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of finance, budgeting and accounting processes and regulations with demonstrated knowledge of capital project management, standards and techniques, and GAAP regulations and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Accounting of Finance or equivalent required.
• Preferable with the membership of professional organisation.

Experience

• 5+ years of work experience as a Director of Finance, ideally in multiple hotels
• Experienced in all areas of finance and accounting; capital project management, financial reporting and analysis, and / or related areas.
• The ideal candidate has previous experience managing multiple hotels or business units.

Senior Director of Finance Business Partner Americas