VP, Finance

SeaWorld•San Diego, CA

About The Position

At SeaWorld, we're passionate about caring for animals. In fact, we've already rescued over 40,000 animals (and counting!). And we can save you from being stuck in just another job. Join us and help bring joy, excitement, and lasting memories to people from around the world. We're seeking enthusiastic, dedicated, and hard-working individuals to become our Ambassadors. Join us and play an important part on our incredible team! The VP of Finance will partner closely with Corporate and centralized teams leveraging best practices across all United Parks & Resorts Inc. locations to refine and advance strategic direction. This role is pivotal to the success of the San Diego parks, serving as a key leader in shaping financial operations and driving future growth and overall organizational performance.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in positions of increasing responsibility overseeing on-site finance for a consumer products or services business.
Demonstrated ability to create and deliver board‑level presentations, clearly explaining budgets, forecasts, and prior‑year variances to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
Executive level oversight of multiple functions, including finance, California taxes, payroll submissions to corporate, parks’ month‑end close, information technology, utilities, and/or data and analytics.
Strong analytical capabilities with demonstrated experience modeling labor cost impacts, including minimum wage changes, regulatory shifts, and other external cost pressures, and translating findings into clear business recommendations.
Ability to collaborate effectively with consultants, sustainability experts, and utility providers to understand energy consumption drivers and identify actionable efficiency and cost‑reduction opportunities.
Strong understanding of California and local sales tax requirements, with experience reviewing tax calculations for accuracy and ensuring ongoing compliance.
Strong understanding of capitalization policies and accounting standards, with experience evaluating expenses for capitalization eligibility and ensuring accurate treatment in financial records.
Strong analytical skills with experience monitoring chargebacks for anomalies or unexpected patterns and translating findings into corrective actions or process improvements.
Proven expertise in forecasting attendance and consumer behavior using time‑series analysis and market intelligence (city/municipal data, economic indicators, competitive activity), with a track record of converting insights into actionable operating plans.
Expertise in labor modeling and operational staffing alignment within high‑volume, consumer‑facing environments.
Unparalleled people leadership with a results-driven mentality, high energy level, strong bias for action, financial savvy, and an ability to see issues or solutions through cold numbers.
Ability to simplify and communicate complex business challenges to drive alignment of impacted stakeholders.
Superior multi-tasking, competing priority management, and speed to execution designed for a fast-paced, nimble, and demanding environment.
Effective tactical execution includes alignment, identification, and prioritization of resources with superior analytical aptitude combined with strong bottom-line orientation.
Experience developing and managing complex budgets.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to read and write English and including polished oral and visual presentations.
Respectful of all colleagues and partners; a leader of impeccable integrity.
Must be able to lift, push, pull and/or carry up to 25 lbs.
Regular use of hands and fingers; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
Perform the following physical activities: kneeling, squatting, bend floor-to waist/waist-to-overhead, reach overhead, simple grasp and fine hand manipulation tasks (use of tools/keyboard/writing)
Available to work varying shifts or hours based on park hours, i.e. be able to work opening and closing shifts, nights, weekends, and Holidays.
Able to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Must be able to manage time wisely and set priorities effectively.
Able to positively interact with guests and co-workers of all ages, different ethic/cultural backgrounds and/or language, and individuals with special needs.

Nice To Haves

An MBA or CPA is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop proactive, data‑driven financial strategies and long‑range tactical plans, including B2C revenue budgets, labor and operational expense budgets, timely and accurate forecasts, and performance against targets.
Conduct financial impact analyses for mandated cost changes—including minimum wage increases, benefit adjustments, and regulatory requirements—and develop proactive strategies to mitigate operational and labor cost impacts.
Oversee all local financial planning, accounting, timekeeping, labor management, IT and compliance operations to ensure operational excellence
Serve as an as member of the Park Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the achievement of both operational and financial goals.
Develop appropriate criteria and tracking methods for revenue, labor, and expenses.
Review labor performance daily to identify and proactively address efficiency opportunities influencing overall performance.
Oversee financial compliance with local real estate lease and partner agreements.
Prepare financial analysis in preparation for contract negotiations and product investment decisions.
Mentor and challenge team members by fostering a creative, growth‑oriented environment focused on continuous improvement.
Partner with external consultants and utility providers to assess energy usage, evaluate cost‑saving opportunities, and implement efficiency improvements aligned with operational and sustainability goals.
Lead price value, retail positioning, offers, and communication of offers while leveraging best practices and consulting with identified pricing Subject Matter Experts for best retail position of offers to drive incremental volume and demand.
Provide strong leadership to the on-site teams across lines of business as well as other key stakeholders to accomplish objectives.
Execute strategic and tactical financial plans with excellence while cultivating a positive, inclusive culture centered on mentorship, development, and team growth.
Review sales tax calculations for accuracy and ensure full compliance with California and applicable local tax laws, proactively identifying and addressing discrepancies.
Review operating expenses to identify items eligible for capitalization under company policy, ensuring accurate classification, proper documentation, and alignment with corporate accounting standards.
Review chargebacks regularly to identify unusual trends, discrepancies, or emerging risks, and collaborate with relevant teams to investigate and resolve issues promptly.
Build and maintain attendance and consumer‑demand forecasts by integrating real‑time city data (e.g., tourism trends, events, school calendars, weather), market data points, and historical performance; translate insights into staffing, pricing, marketing, and inventory decisions.
Effectively assess complex information to provide the best direction to the business in a highly visible role; monitoring metrics and feedback in a fast-paced environment, correcting and optimizing as necessary to ensure proper utilization of resources.
Lead development of high-level presentations addressing financial and park plan topics, financial performance, market updates, etc.
Create and manage a significant budget while aligning budget resources with prioritized business strategies and tactics, adjusting as needed
Actively collaborate with senior park leaders and corporate partners to build strong, cross‑functional relationships that support business growth and overall organizational success.