Director of Finance

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation•Sonesta Charlotte, NC

About The Position

We’re Sonesta International Hotels. The 8th largest hotel company in the U.S.—and growing fast. An epic blend of full-service and focused hotels in major cities, Sonesta’s uniquely diverse portfolio of owned, managed, and franchised properties makes us everywhere you want to be. Driven by the human side of hospitality, we deliver service with passion, loyalty with purpose, and experiences that truly connect. Together We Thrive —bringing quality, value, and amazing hospitality to every guest, every stay, across 1000+ properties in eight countries and counting. Job Description Summary The Director of Finance will be a strategic thought-partner, and report directly to the General Manager with dotted lines to the Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer. The successful candidate will be a hands-on and participative manager and will lead and develop an internal team to support the following areas: finance, business planning and budgeting. The Director of Finance will play a critical role in partnering with the senior leadership team in strategic decision relating to cost containment, revenue enhancement, profit improvement opportunities and safeguarding of the company’s assets. This position champions, develops and implements property-wide strategies that deliver products and services to meet or exceed the needs and expectations of the brand’s target customer and property employees. The position provides the financial expertise to enable the successful implementation of the brand service strategy and brand initiatives while maximizing the return on investment. In addition, creates and executes a business plan that is aligned with the property and brand’s business strategy and focuses on the execution of financial activities and the delivery of desirable financial results.

Responsibilities

Develop and oversee accounting policies and procedures to meet both current and future business requirements of the property to include continuous improvement of Accounting and Financial Processes and the development of the team with the goal to achieve best practices and optimal output.
Oversee the External Audit, review and analyze results and recommend for approval the Audited Financial Statements.
Prepare the financial section of the annual report.
Oversee the Cash Management function, including banking relationships.
Ensure that the property is in compliance with all internal policies and relevant regulations and ensure filings are completed in a timely manner.
Develop and oversee finance and operations controls and policies to ensure compliance in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the corporate office. Ensure effective follow up processes are in place.
Manage the financial system including the payroll function, ensuring maximum productivity and that it meets the needs of the business today and the future.
Perform other duties as assigned and may serve as “manager on duty”” as required.
Involvement with strategy development and implementation of short and long-term financial forecasts of financial performance for use with internal management and external parties.
Understanding and monitors re-engineering processes and large scale systems change to ensure that plans, processes and programs are being utilized.
Develop, implement and maintain accounting and administrative policies and procedures for a wide-ranging set of activities including financial accounting and reporting, and other corporate policies.
Protects assets by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls.
Monitors and confirms financial condition by conducting audits; providing information to external auditors.
Maximizes return, and limits risk, on cash by minimizing bank balances; making investments.
Provides status of financial condition by collecting, interpreting, and reporting financial data.
Monitors budget allocations, expenditures, fund balances and related financial activities for the purpose of ensuring that allocations are accurate, revenues are recorded, expenses are within budget limits and/or fiscal practices are followed.
Ensure that the Accounting team is consistent with their service delivery and operates in a consultative and solutions-based capacity to all levels of department and employees with regard to financially related plans, policies and procedures.
Ensure team members receive proper training applicable to their position and career aspirations and in accordance with company policy and/or local laws
Responsible for monitoring, measuring, and recognizing performance of team members who directly report to the role and indirect reports
Support, comply and promote company initiative, policies and guidelines.
Handle employee issues in a professional and timely manner.
Develop Finance and Accounting team goals that are fully aligned with the organization goals.
Lead and coach the team to recruit and retain high caliber staff.
Provide coaching, guidance and support, set professional development plans to assist employees to reach their full potential through the Performance Management process.
Ensure the team delivers the highest standard of departmental, cross departmental and cross functional teamwork and customer service.
Ensure optimal deployment of resources to achieve business goals.
Lead by example and operate with integrity and respect.
Inspire your team to embrace and demonstrate our values and G.U.E.S.T. People Standards.