Regional Director Of Finance

Regional Director of Finance - Hotel Management/Operations

Our client, a high-growth, M&A-minded $500m hospitality firm & hotel operator, is seeking a new Regional Director of Finance (remote) to support a key, sizeable regional hotel portfolio. This individual will be expected to travel to the portfolio of properties that she/he serves.

The Regional Director of Finance is responsible for implementing, directing and evaluating a sound infrastructure to ensure that the financial operations and activities of assigned hotels are conducted in compliance with applicable policies, standards and procedures. In addition, the incumbent must ensure that adequate controls are in place to safeguard the assets of the organization. The work includes the timely and successful implementation of automated accounting systems and the re-engineering of existing ways of doing business to facilitate improvement in productivity and key financial indicators (i.e. EBITDA). This position serves as the key conduit for corporate/hotel/ownership communications with regards to financial matters.

Role Breakdown:

• Ensure compliance with internal controls as per established procedures, and interface with the Internal Audit department to foster a cooperative atmosphere between management and Internal Audit.
• Ensure that corporate-mandated policies, procedures, directives, and decisions are communicated fully and objectively to assigned hotels.
• Ensure cost-effectiveness of resource (staffing) utilization, and the quality and quantity of services provided.
• Comply at all times with company standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Ensure hotels’ compliance on all regulatory licenses and permits, leases, contracts, legal agreements, and the proper execution of all operational taxes.
• Supervise Directors of Finance at the hotels in your region. Assist them in managing various financial related tasks through the direction of the VP of Hotel Finance and the VP of Operations.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing the proper attire when working, especially in the field.
• In conjunction with the VP of Operations, perform detailed financial reviews (utilizing “the Regional Director of Financial Services Checklist”) at the assigned hotel. A minimum of two financial review exercises per year per hotel is required. The results of the on-site financial/operational analyses should be structured to provide feedback and identify potential profit and/or control weaknesses.
• Embrace a continuous growth environment by actively assisting in recruiting, reviewing, recommending and maintaining an inventory of Directors of Finance, Assistant Directors of Finance, Accounting Managers, and other managers for the organization.
• Review and monitor hotels’ annual plans for deviations from approved plans. Communicate with VP of Operations and VP of Hotel Finance all significant deviations from business plan(s) and recommend proper disposition of actions.
• Direct and assist the timely implementation of new automated financial systems and practices at assigned hotels.
• Monitor the capital planning process by assisting management with calculation of return on capital improvements, and ensure proper controls per company procedures and Owners’ expectations and requirements.
• Plan and promote synergy and effective pooling of resources among hotel portfolio to form an integrated system of financial management which collectively focuses on achieving hotels and company objectives and maximizing profitability.
• Be involved in tax audits and assist in coordinating the responses to governmental agencies when necessary.
• For a region of hotels, establish, coordinate and administer an adequate plan for the control of operations. This plan would provide profit planning, sales forecasts, expense budgets, capital requirement/needs, cost standards and the necessary procedures for effecting the plan.
• Manage the human resources aspect for the hotels Directors of Finance and their departments as needed in order to attract, retain and motivate the employees; hire, train, develop, empower, coach and counsel, conduct performance and salary reviews, resolve problems and provide open communication vehicles and discipline and terminate as appropriate.
• Assist the VP of Operations and/or VP of Hotel Finance in overseeing the development of a viable action plan(s) to establish timeliness, and address issues such as staffing and training requirements, reengineering of work, hardware/software needs, integration of new standards/procedures, maintaining operational continuity and related transition activities.
• Ensure hotels formulate local accounting policy, coordinate systems and procedures and prepare operating data and special reports as required to compare performance with operating plans and standards and to report and interpret the results of operations to all levels of management and ownership (where applicable) to ensure timely information is provided in order to maximize profits.
• Fiduciary responsibility to company and Ownership.
• Maintain regular meeting attendance in compliance with company standards, as required by scheduling which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Employees must, at all times, be attentive, friendly, helpful, and courteous to all guests, managers, and fellow associates.
• Establish, implement, enforce and evaluate policies and procedures designed to achieve company, operational goals, and legal requirements.
• Monitor hotels’ revenues/expenses and ensure the accurate recording as per established guidelines.
• Act as a financial consultant; provide information on the financial impact of business decisions for all segments of management responsible for policy or action concerning any phase of the business that relates to attainment of objectives, effectiveness of policies and organization structure and procedures.
• Partner with VP of Operations on all communication with ownership regarding financial issues such as actual results, budgets, forecasts, cash-flow and capital recommendations.
• Continually focus on training and development programs for accounting associates to cultivate the “brightest” and “best” talent within the industry.
• Ensure hotels compliance with hotel and accounting policies and procedures, legal requirements and contractual obligations (including obligations under a management agreement) utilizing internal controls, auditing and security procedures to ensure deviations are brought to the attention of the General Manager and appropriate regional management and to protect the hotel's assets.
• Work with transitional teams for on-boarding and off-boarding of properties ensuring smooth, thorough and accurate hotel transitions.
• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.

Experience & Preferences:

• 4-year college degree with an Accounting/Finance concentration
• 8+ years of Hotel Accounting or related field
• 5 years of related progressive experience
• MS Windows, Excel, Word for Windows and PowerPoint
• Proficiency in one or more back-office and front office systems is recommended.

Culture & Compensation:

• $150,000 - $170,000 base salary + annual bonus target
• Growing company in need or true leaders who want to develop with this growth!
• Supportive, thoughtful, hard-working, resource-minded staff and management
• Flexible, reasonable work/life balance
• Remote work culture with 50% (+/-) to various properties
• Competitive benefits, 401k, PTO, hotel discounts and perks