Director of Finance

Lotte Hotels and Resorts • Chicago, IL

9d

About The Position

The Director of Finance is the hotel’s senior financial leader, responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and effectiveness of financial operations, reporting, controls, planning, and analysis. The position serves as a strategic business partner to the General Manager and works closely with the LOTTE Headquarters Expatriate to provide timely financial information, support hotel performance, and maintain alignment with company and headquarters requirements. The role provides financial leadership to department heads while safeguarding hotel assets and ensuring sound fiscal stewardship.

The position reports to the General Manager, with a collaborative/dotted-line relationship through the General Manager and Expatriate to LOTTE HQ in South Korea. Direct reports are the Assistant Director of Finance and two Accounting Clerks.

Requirements

• Progressive accounting or finance leadership experience, including significant management responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, USALI, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, audit processes, and hotel accounting operations.
• Ability to analyze complex financial information, identify business drivers, and communicate practical recommendations to senior leaders and department heads.
• Strong leadership, organizational, judgment, and communication skills, with high attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Working knowledge of hotel and enterprise accounting systems, including PMS, POS, ERP, EPM, and HCM systems.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is strongly preferred; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Hotel or hospitality finance experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience with Opera Cloud, Toast, Oracle Fusion, SAP, and ADP is preferred.
• CPA, CHAE, or comparable professional credential is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary financial advisor to hotel leadership, providing analysis and recommendations for operational and strategic decisions.
• Partner with the General Manager on financial performance, operating priorities, cost management, capital planning, risks, and business opportunities.
• Collaborate with the LOTTE Headquarters Expatriate on communication, reporting, financial analysis, and alignment with headquarters expectations.
• Communicate financial performance, forecasts, budgets, material variances, risks, and other required matters to headquarters.
• Lead preparation of the annual operating budget, capital expenditure budget, forecasts, projections, and other financial plans.
• Monitor actual results against budgets and forecasts, explain material variances and business drivers, and develop recommendations with hotel leadership.
• Oversee timely preparation and distribution of accurate financial statements, management reports, key performance indicators, cash reporting, and other required schedules.
• Provide financial insight to department leaders to strengthen revenue performance, labor and expense management, and profitability.
• Oversee hotel accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash management, income audit, payroll-related accounting, reconciliations, and financial close processes.
• Ensure financial activities and records meet deadlines and comply with hotel and company policies, GAAP, USALI, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Establish, maintain, and monitor internal financial controls to protect hotel assets and support accurate, complete, and transparent financial reporting.
• Review and approve financial transactions within assigned authority, including expenditures, payment activity, journal entries, reconciliations, and related documentation.
• Oversee applicable tax reconciliations, filings, payment processes, audit support, and financial record retention.
• Review leases, contracts, management arrangements, and applicable collective bargaining agreements for financial obligations and accounting impact.
• Oversee banking activities, cash controls, bank reconciliations, and cash-flow monitoring.
• Support stewardship of hotel assets through inventory controls, capital planning, fixed-asset oversight, and financial review of asset-related activity.
• Coordinate year-end and other internal or external financial audits and respond to audit requests and findings in a timely manner.
• Supervise, coach, train, and develop the Finance and Accounting team, including the Assistant Director of Finance and two Accounting Clerks.
• Set clear expectations, promote accountability, and support a professional, collaborative, and service-oriented work environment.
• Partner with Human Resources and hotel leadership on recruitment, performance management, development, and succession planning for the Finance and Accounting function.
• Provide financial guidance and training to operational leaders to strengthen financial acumen across the hotel.
• Collaborate with hotel departments on weekly forecasting, staffing and cost planning, purchasing, contracts, and other financially impactful activities.
• Support cross-functional initiatives that strengthen property performance and guest experience while maintaining appropriate financial controls.
• Perform other responsibilities consistent with the position as assigned by hotel leadership.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentive opportunities.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement savings plans.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement within LOTTE Hotels & Resorts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director