Strategic Financial Business Leader

Job Description

We are seeking a strategic financial business leader who will champion, develop and implement property-wide strategies to deliver products and services that meet or exceed the needs and expectations of our target customer and property employees.

The successful candidate will provide the financial expertise to enable the successful implementation of our brand service strategy and brand initiatives while maximizing the return on investment.

The role involves creating and executing a business plan that is aligned with the property and brand's business strategy and focuses on the execution of financial and accounting activities and the delivery of desirable financial results.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 4-year bachelor's degree in Finance and Accounting or related major; 2 years experience in the finance and accounting or related professional area
• OR
• Masters degree in Finance and Accounting or related major; no work experience required

Benefits

Engaging in Strategic Planning and Decision Making:

• Develops means to improve profit, including estimating cost and benefit, exploring new business opportunities, etc
• Analyzes information, forecasts sales against expenses and creates annual budget plans
• Compiles information, analyzes and monitors actual sales against projected sales
• Analyzes differences between actual budget wages and forecasted wages for more efficient budget planning
• Identifies the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts
• Thinks creatively and practically to develop, execute and implement new business plans
• Creates the annual operating budget for the property
• Provides analytical support during budget reviews to identify cost saving and productivity opportunities for property managers
• Implements a system of appropriate controls to manage business risks
• Ensures a strong accounting and operational control environment to safeguard assets, improve operations and profitability
• Analyzes financial data and market trends
• Leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive annual business plan which is aligned with the company's and brand's strategic direction
• Provides ongoing analytical support by monitoring the operating department's actual and projected sales
• Produces accurate forecasts that enable operations to react to changes in the business
• Monthly Financial Critiques

Leading Finance & Accounting Teams

• Utilizes interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and encourage others; advocates sound financial/business decision making; demonstrates honesty/integrity; leads by example
• Communicates the strategic goals, the focus and the owner priorities to subordinates in a clear and precise manner
• Leverages strong functional leadership and communication skills to influence the executive team, the property's strategies and to lead own team
• Oversees internal, external and regulatory audit processes
• Provides excellent leadership by assigning team members and other departments' managers clear accountability backed by appropriate authority
• Conducts annual performance appraisals with direct reports according to Standard Operating Procedures
• Trains on processes for Opening hotels

Anticipating and Delivering on the Needs of Key Stakeholders

• Attends meetings and communicates with the owners, understanding the priorities and strategic focus
• Understands and meets the needs of key stakeholders (owners, corporate, guests, etc)
• Advises the GM and executive committee on existing and evolving operating/financial issues
• Communicates financial concepts in a clear and persuasive manner that is easy to understand and drives desired behaviors
• Demonstrates an understanding of cash flow and owner priorities
• Manages communication with owners in an effective manner
• Manages property working capital and cash flow in accordance with brand SOPs and owner requirements
• Facilitates critique meetings to review information with management team

Developing and Maintaining Finance and Accounting Goals

• Ensures profits and losses are documented accurately
• Monitors all taxes that apply, ensuring that taxes are current, collected and/or accrued
• Submits reports in a timely manner, ensuring delivery deadlines
• Develops and supports achievement of performance goals, budget goals, team goals, etc
• Improves profit growth in operating departments
• Reviews audit issues to ensure accuracy
• Monitors and Controls Adoptions for all Financial Applications

Managing Projects and Policies

• Generates and provides accurate and timely results in the form of reports, presentations, etc
• Reconciles balance sheet to ensure account balances are supported by appropriate documentation in accordance with SOPs
• Ensures that the P&L is accurate (eg, costs are properly matched to revenue, costs are recorded in the proper accounts)
• Ensures compliance with management contract and reporting requirements
• Ensures compliance with standard and local operating procedures (SOPs and LSOPs)
• Ensures compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Spearheads new Finance initiatives in the Area

Managing and Conducting Human Resource Activities

• Ensures team members are cross-trained to support successful daily operations
• Ensures property policies are administered fairly and consistently
• Ensures new hires participate in the department's orientation program
• Ensures new hires receive the appropriate new hire training to successfully perform their job
• Creates appropriate development plans which develop team members based on their individual strengths, development needs, career aspirations and abilities
• Conducts performance review process for employees
• Participates in hiring activities as appropriate

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