Director of Finance

Sunnyvale, CA, United States

Grow with us...

SH Hotels & Resorts, an affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group, is a hotel brand management company that operates Treehouse Hotels.

Treehouse was founded on the ideas that inspire a child to build a treehouse. Adventure, independence, cozy spaces and repurposing crafty things are what make a place warm and special. That’s why every Treehouse Hotel celebrates found objects, nostalgic tunes, handmade details and locally sourced treats.

At Treehouse, every detail is imagined through the carefree, optimistic lens of childhood and balanced with a distinctly modern sensibility. With attentive service, locally inspired fun amenities, thoughtful programming and several food & beverage offerings, Treehouse Hotels are about playfulness and freedom. The first of the brand’s portfolio, Treehouse Hotel London opened in November 2019.

Position Overview...

We’re currently in search of a seasoned and highly ambitious, opening Director of Finance with remarkable tenacity, a sharp leader with an entrepreneurial spirit, who’s good-natured, a natural at relationship building, has a strong focus on financial controls and a clean balance sheet, while meeting (or surpassing) all financial goals for the property.

The Director of Finance is a strategic financial business leader for the property that champions, develops and implements hotel-wide strategies that deliver financial results to meet or exceed the needs and expectations of owners, team members and guests. This position provides financial expertise to enable the successful implementation of the brand service strategy and initiatives while maximizing the return on investment. Creates and executes a strategic business plan that is aligned with the hotel’s business strategy with a primary focus on the execution of financial and accounting activities and the delivery of financial results.

Requirements for Success...

Business/Functional Results

Lead and facilitate the achievement of property annual goals and targets to ensure profitability and revenue growth. Actively participate in cross-functional teams to drive overall business performance, e.g. revenue management and sales and marketing meetings

Manage working capital, cash flow, capital, overall expenses and daily accounting activities to obtain highest value. Identify risk exposure and effectively manage financial and business risk to create and preserve value, ensuring effective systems of controls are in place.

Financial Leadership

Function as a strategic business partner to the General Manager and the Guidance Team. Leverage strong financial expertise and business acumen to influence the strategic direction of the operation, identify opportunities for growth, optimize allocation of financial resources, and drive business results. Advise the General Manager and the Guidance Team on existing and evolving business/financial issues and protect and strengthen the competitive advantage by supporting sound business and financial decision making.

Effectively lead the execution of finance and accounting responsibilities for the property including the preparation of the annual business plan and operating budget, monthly forecasting, implementation and monitoring of internal controls, financial analysis, cash management, balance sheet reconciliations, financial reporting, capital expenditure budget, etc. Educate property team on key financial processes.

Focus on maximizing the property’s revenue by supporting the development of revenue generating strategies for different areas of the hotel and related lines of business. Work with revenue management to develop effective revenue management strategies and set aggressive goals; participate in sales strategy meetings and use financial expertise and analytical models to evaluate mix of transient and group revenue and provide pricing and inventory recommendations to increase market share and attain growth and profit goals.

Help enhance the team’s business skills. Educate department heads on sales and profit maximization and cost control; provide ongoing analytical decision support & tools to ensure revenue goals are met and opportunities are identified and addressed.

Use financial analysis and market information to anticipate needs, identify business/financial issues, and recommend actions to maximize financial return. Identify opportunities to create value by challenging existing processes, encouraging innovation and driving necessary change through calculated risk taking.

Managing Execution of Finance

Create SOPs and put in place appropriate controls to manage business and financial risks. Ensure a strong accounting & operational control environment to safeguard assets, improve operations and profitability. Ensure compliance with standard and local operating procedures, and local regulations.

Leverage technology and effectively use information systems and tools to create operational efficiency and generate information to support decision-making. Oversee the implementation and maintenance of property based systems.

Oversee internal, external, and regulatory audit processes and ensure compliance with SOPs; make sure appropriate corrections are made.

Reconcile balance sheet and ensure account balances are supported by appropriate supporting documentation in accordance with SOPs. Ensure all issues in the balance sheet are disclosed and compliance with certification is timely.

Ensure that the P&L is accurate and statements are delivered to appropriate individuals in a timely manner.

Effectively manage property working capital and cash flow; identify key projects and manage associated capital expenditure funds for product improvement and increased revenue potential.

Create the annual operating budget for the property and provide analytical support during budget reviews to identify cost saving and productivity opportunities for property managers.

Analyse financial data and market trends and produce accurate forecasts that enable operations to react to changes in the business; monitor and take steps to enhance forecast accuracy; facilitate critique meetings to review information with leadership team.

Ensure tax rates used for sales/use tax are current and proper amounts are collected and/or accrued. Oversee the payment of real estate/ property taxes, payroll and other applicable local taxes, and if applicable hold in funded escrow accounts. Ensure tax exempt transactions are appropriate and properly documented.

Analyze ROI capital projects prior to committing funds and upon completion determine if anticipated results were achieved.

Building Relationships/Owner Relations

In partnership with the General Manager, develop a trusting and effective business partnership with the property owners by understanding the management contract, deal structure, and the owner's ROI expectations. Provide valuable information to owners and the Corporate team, give meaning or context to the financial results, and demonstrate a solid understanding of cash flow and owner priorities. Proactively anticipate and address owner's needs. Pull in resources as necessary to help to resolve owner relations/contract issues.

Effectively manage communication with owners. Regular dialogue and presentations to owner’s representatives on actual and forecasted financial results. Development and presentation of business cases.

Promote and sell ideas persuasively to owners for stimulating business opportunities, improving service, and increasing profitability.

Accountable for compliance with contract and reporting requirements for the properties. Ensure the rest of the guidance team and property leadership team is familiar with the management contract and structure of the deal, and in compliance with contract requirements.

Build effective working relationship with the rest of the property leadership team, regional and corporate groups, external customers, partners and auditors. Effectively leverage resources outside of own area.

Qualifications

About you...

At least 4-5 years of related Director of Finance experience

Excellent finance, accounting and analytical skills, including experience with cash management, forecasting, revenue management strategies, budgeting, and project management

Experience evaluating business trends and developing and successfully implementing new business programs and strategies that enhance financial performance

Experience with complex operating and financial agreements; demonstrated success in evaluating risks and developing proactive strategies and plans to mitigate business issues

Financial management skills e.g., ability to analyse P&L statements, develop operating budgets, prepare a short and long term forecast, and champion capital expenditure planning

Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills

Strong organization skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field required

CPA is an asset

Prior experience in a luxury hotel brand; specifically in Finance.

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