Director of Finance

Sage Hospitality Group • Sonoma, CA

22d • $110,000 - $130,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Finance is the hotel’s financial leader, overseeing finance functions with particular responsibility for payroll, budgeting, forecasting, and related duties. The role provides leadership with accurate and timely financial reports, implements internal controls to safeguard the hotel and its assets, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

The Director assists hotel leaders with departmental operations and special projects, identifies financial risks and recommends solutions, and develops the annual operating budget, operating plan, and financial goals. The position monitors revenues, costs, profits, forecasts, expenses, financial statements, and cost controls, while supporting business planning and the hotel’s sales and market-positioning efforts. It also leads and develops management and accounting staff, conducts performance appraisals, and supports associate engagement and development.

The role requires advanced knowledge of accounting, finance, and hospitality, along with experience across hotel accounting functions. Work is performed inside for 95% of the work period. Physical demands include limited lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying of items up to 15–20 pounds; limited bending or kneeling; and limited movement between offices and departments. Continuous standing, climbing, and driving are not required. Excellent hearing and vision are required for interacting with staff and reading reports and computer displays.

Requirements

• Four-year college degree, preferably in accounting, or equivalent education and experience.
• Five to ten years of employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).
• Knowledge of all hotel accounting functions performed by subordinate staff, directly or indirectly.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting, finance, and the hospitality professions.
• Ability to analyze activities or information involving original data manipulation or interpretation and reach logical conclusions.
• Experience or capability in office management, bank reconciliations, state and federal reporting, training accounting staff, conducting or participating in meetings, balance sheet analysis, journal entries, closing the books, and preparing the balance sheet package.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 15–20 pounds on a limited basis.
• Excellent hearing to train and interact with management and associates.
• Excellent vision to read reports and computer displays.

Nice To Haves

• Accounting degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with hotel leaders’ departmental operations and special projects.
• Identify risks and present solutions to guide financially effective decisions.
• Develop the annual operating budget, operating plan, and financial goals.
• Achieve budgeted revenues, costs, and profits through accounting diligence, expenditure controls, and sound accounting practices.
• Set quarterly written priorities and key objectives for department heads, including action plans and completion dates; follow up and take corrective action when objectives are not met.
• Prepare monthly forecasts of operating staff and cost expenditures.
• Support business planning in line with forecasted sales and costs, providing guidance to department heads.
• Review monthly financial statements, correct problems, ensure spending is on plan, and plan for future business.
• Review and approve departmental expenses in “other expense” categories and regularly review major expenses.
• Promote associate morale and loyalty; communicate, counsel, and assist with staff development.
• Be visible and available to associates under the Company’s open-door policy and attend monthly department employee meetings whenever possible.
• Conduct management performance appraisals and personal development plans; address substandard performance and take corrective or disciplinary measures as needed.
• Ensure hotel management staff have the experience, knowledge, and ability to meet job requirements.
• Review controls and ensure adherence to protect hotel property and assets.
• Review sales solicitation activities, room-night productivity, and group room rates sold by sales.
• Review individual productivity and ensure corrective actions are taken.
• Evaluate market mix and take action to position the hotel for increased business.
• Support sales solicitation of key accounts by reviewing contracts, meeting with the sales department, and visiting or calling key account contacts.
• Oversee hotel finance functions, especially payroll, budgeting, and forecasting; provide requested financial reports and implement internal controls that support regulatory compliance.
• Perform or oversee office management, bank reconciliations, preparation of state and federal reports, accounting staff training, meeting participation, balance sheet account analysis, journal entries, month-end close, and preparation of the balance sheet package.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Unlimited paid time off
• Health savings and flexible spending accounts
• Basic life and AD&D insurance
• Eligibility to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with employer matching
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Discounts on hotels, restaurants, and more

What This Job Offers

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