Director of Finance

Hearst•Houston, TX

15d

About The Position

The Houston Chronicle is seeking a strategic, hands-on Director of Finance to lead financial operations for a major local media business within Hearst Newspapers. Reporting to the VP of Finance, this role oversees financial close and reporting, budgeting and forecasting, advertising accounting and analysis, and cost-control activities. The Director partners with department leaders, centralized accounting teams, and senior leadership to translate financial results into recommendations and strategy. The position combines technical accounting judgment, operational discipline, business curiosity, and people leadership. The Director manages and develops the finance and accounting team, improves processes, supports decision-making across a transforming digital and print media operation, and identifies opportunities to use automation and AI to improve efficiency.

Requirements

8–10+ years of progressive finance or accounting experience, preferably in a complex operating environment.
Undergraduate degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Prior experience as a Director of Finance, Finance Manager, Assistant Controller, or in a comparable financial leadership role.
Strong technical accounting foundation and experience with monthly close, financial reporting, accruals, variance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and audit support.
Proficiency with ERP, planning, and reporting systems; advanced Excel experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop finance or accounting team members, including team members who support multiple business partners.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial results and business implications to non-finance leaders.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to prioritize multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong process improvement mindset, including interest in automation, AI-enabled tools, and scalable ways to improve accuracy and efficiency.
High integrity, sound judgment, and a service-oriented approach to working with internal and external partners.

Nice To Haves

MBA.
Experience with advertising accounting and revenue recognition, digital margins, commission processing, or media revenue operations.
Experience in media, publishing, digital media, marketing services, or a related industry.
Experience with Oracle ERP, Oracle Cloud, Hyperion Planning, business intelligence tools, and AI products.

Responsibilities

Own the monthly close process, including accruals, variance analysis, review of financial results, and timely completion of close deliverables.
Lead weekly P&L reporting, monthly financial reporting, forecasting, and business review support for the VP of Finance, Houston Chronicle leadership, and Hearst Newspapers finance teams.
Ensure financial reporting is accurate, complete, and timely, and clearly communicate revenue, expense, margin, headcount, and payroll trends.
Manage and develop the finance and accounting team, including advertising-focused accounting support and related operating analysis.
Oversee advertising accounting, including revenue recognition, digital advertising margins, commission processing, goaling, and coordination with advertising operations.
Lead advertising analytics and KPI reporting, providing trends and insights to the VP of Finance, VP of Advertising, and Publisher.
Develop and monitor financial KPIs to help leaders understand performance, optimize product P&Ls and advertising margins, improve budget adherence, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Partner with department heads to project, budget, and monitor expenses, improve business processes, and strengthen accountability for financial outcomes.
Liaise with centralized accounting teams on accounting functions such as balance sheet reconciliations.
Support internal and external audits in partnership with centralized accounting, including maintenance of internal controls and SOX compliance requirements.
Provide technical accounting guidance and support system improvements, reporting enhancements, process automation, and AI-enabled efficiency opportunities.
Identify and optimize AI opportunities to automate daily and monthly reporting and improve process workflows.
Prepare ad hoc analysis, special projects, and executive-ready reporting for senior leadership, the VP of Finance, and the Publisher.