Financial Controller

About Orient Express 

Orient Express embodies the refined and nomadic spirit of travel. Its exceptional assets portfolio includes experiences such as The Orient Express — its iconic carriages reinvented as a modern-day tribute to French luxury, with ARSENALE Group owner — La Dolce Vita, a train celebrating the elegance of Italian art de vivre, and a collection of luxury hotels opened in Rome – La Minerva – and soon in Venice – Palazzo Dona Giovannelli, and with Sailing Yachts  - the O.E Corinthian, the world’s largest sailing ship.  

While redefining the future of luxury hospitality, Orient Express places particular emphasis on the employee experience, development, and engagement. 

As a symbol of ultra-luxury hospitality, the brand is currently undergoing an ambitious phase of rebirth and expansion accelerated since 2024 as a Joint Venture between ACCOR and LVMH. 

Now, as Orient Express grows under the steam of its 140-year own glorious reputation and brand, it stands unique and identifiable from the other luxury brands under the ACCOR brands, aiming to become a pioneer of contemporary luxury hospitality, creating immersive experiences that combine exceptional design, impeccable service, culinary excellence, wellness offerings, cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and authentic local experiences, while also actively engaging in local community initiatives and support social causes, making a positive contribution to the destinations its properties operate in. What remains distinctly Orient Express is its spirit of adventure, sublime service and enchanting storytelling. Refreshing and reinvigorating, Orient Express is loved by those with an adventurous spirit and a taste for the very best, linking travel and destinations as part of the same journey. 

About Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli 

Orient Express will open its second hotel in Italy at the exceptional Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice, in partnership with the Italian luxury hotel group Arsenale. Architect and interior designer Aline Amar d’Amman, alongside her studio Culture in Architecture, has been entrusted to design and decorate the space. 

Venice, once the gateway to Constantinople and a mythical stop on the legendary Orient Express train – that opened its doors in 1919 with the completion of the Simplon tunnel linking Switzerland to Italy – will be the home of the second Orient Express hotel, set to open in 2026. 

The Financial Controller is responsible for overseeing all financial operations of the ultra-luxury hotel, ensuring compliance, profitability, and financial integrity. Acting as a strategic business partner to the General Manager and Executive Committee, the role provides financial leadership, safeguards the hotel’s assets, and drives performance through insightful analysis and robust controls. This position combines strategic foresight, operational excellence, and a deep understanding of the luxury hospitality environment. 

Key responsibilities : 

Strategic Financial Management  

• Lead the development of annual budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial planning. 
• Analyze financial performance and provide actionable recommendations to improve profitability. 
• Evaluate and monitor capital investments (CAPEX) and ensure expected ROI is achieved. 
• Collaborate with the Revenue Management and Sales teams to optimize pricing strategies. 
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiency improvements across departments. 

Accounting & Internal Controls 

• Oversee all accounting functions including AP, AR, GL, credit, audit, and reporting. 
• Ensure compliance with company policies, internal controls, local regulations, and international accounting standards. 
• Develop and implement robust financial control systems and procedures. 
• Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure timely resolution of findings. 
• Maintain proper documentation for all financial records, contracts, and legal documents. 

Stakeholder & External Relations 

• Act as the primary liaison with hotel ownership, auditors, banks, legal advisors, and tax authorities. 
• Manage vendor contracts, lease agreements, and service-level agreements. 
• Ensure all statutory licenses, permits, and legal obligations are up to date and compliant. 
• Prepare and present financial reports to corporate, ownership, and regional finance teams. 

Team Leadership & Development  

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance & Accounting team; establish performance goals and provide regular feedback. 
• Foster a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement. 
• Educate operational leaders on financial principles and the impact of their decisions. 
• Collaborate with all departments to support budgeting, forecasting, and business analysis. 

Cash Flow, Reporting & Compliance 

• Monitor and manage hotel cash flow to ensure liquidity and financial stability. 
• Approve disbursements, rebates, adjustments, and ensure proper documentation. 
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of financial statements, forecasts, and budget comparisons. 
• Enforce credit and collection policies in line with corporate standards. 
• Safeguard hotel assets and maintain the integrity of financial systems and records. 

• Bachelor’s degree / higher education qualification / equivalent in Accounting, Finance 
• 5-10 years in hotel accounting or audit with at least two years in a Financial Controller or similar supervisory role, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience. 
• Knowledge of accounting management duties such as negotiating hotel space and tenant leases; performing asset management duties; providing business projections, displacement analysis, preparing government reports, filing tax returns, etc. as needed or requested. 
• Professional accounting or finance designation or certification preferred. 
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure. 
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Strong analytical and numerical skills including a good understanding of financial valuation methodology. 
• Advanced ability to use Microsoft applications i.e., Excel and PowerPoint. 
• Fluent in Italian and English. 
• Good interpersonal skills and influencing skills. 
• Strong problem-solving orientation. 

• A competitive package (base salary and yearly bonus) 

• Medical Insurance, integrating Collective Labor Agreement one and extended to the family 

• Ticket Restaurant 

• Annual leave 

• ALL - Heartist® Program: Employee benefit card offering discounted rates at all Accor locations and partner venues worldwide. 

• Learning & development: Opportunity to develop your talent and grow within your property and across the world!  

• Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.