Director of Finance - Cluster Orient Express Hotels

ORIENT EXPRESS

Artisan of Travel since 1883, Orient Express is a legendary brand steeped in history and loved by generations past, present and future.  

Representing the pinnacle of ultra-luxury hospitality within Accor Group, this brand is currently going through exciting phases of rebirth and expansion.

Orient Express embodies the refined nomadic spirit of travel, inviting each traveler to a place where the journey is the destination. Bringing awe-inspiring travel experiences to a new generation of adventurers, its exceptional portfolio includes The Orient Express, with its original carriages reimagined as the new embassy of French luxury; Orient Express La Dolce Vita, a train embodying the 'Made in Italy' style; Orient Express Silenseas - the world’s largest sailing ship; and remarkable hotels coming to Rome and Venice.

Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality, Orient Express is focusing on employee journey and growth.

ABOUT ARSENALE

Arsenale is a multi-brand Group capable of providing a comprehensive service to the largest and most renowned luxury global market operators who wish to expand in Italy. Founded and supported by internationally renowned entrepreneurs and investors, Arsenale aims at creating the leading luxury hospitality group in Italy. To pursue this ambition, the Group launched an impressive investments plan to boost tourism and made-in-Italy through the re-development and enhancement of iconic hotels and hospitality solutions in the most beautiful locations of the country. 

Orient Express La Minerva, Rome 

Considered as the beloved capital of the Orient Express legend, Rome will be home to the first Orient Express hotel, Minerva, in 2024. Orient Express, in partnership with the Italian luxury hotel group Arsenale S.p.A, has entrusted the interior architecture and artistic direction of the hotel Hugo Toro. The former Palazzo Fonseca is a sumptuous 17th-century palace with a huge, majestic façade. A place of memory still adorned with its Roman columns, sculptures by Rinaldi Rinaldo, a disciple of Casanova, and the fascinating goddess Minerva. At the end of 2024, a new décor and interior inspired by the Roman domus and the riches of the "Eternal City" will be revealed with a new touch of contemporary elegance. 

Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, Venice 

Architect and interior designer Aline Asmar from Amman and her studio Culture in Architecture has been chosen to enhance the decor of the former Palazzo Donà Giovannelli. Located just ten minutes from Venice's Santa Lucia train station, close to the Cannaregio shopping district and rooted in the origins of the Doge's City, the Venetian palace is a treasure trove built in 1400 by the architect Filippo Calendario, who famously designed the Doge's Palace. Formerly the residence of the Duke of Urbino, a patron of the arts, it has been renovated twice by the architect Gian Battista Meduna. The hotel will offer 45 rooms and suites, all overlooking the gardens and canals of Venice. 

The Director of Finance provides strategic leadership, functional guidance and valuable insights to the General Manager, to the Partner, to the Executive Committee and to Department Heads for optimal business decision; Interacting with hotel’s legal counsel, insurance companies, tax consultants, auditors, commercial and government banks to effectively control the assets of the business.

Provide strategic leadership and business support for the management team through the management of the financial analytics function, capital, projects, operational finance matters, procurement activities and prepare short and long-term plans, forecasts and budgets for capital and operating spend.

He/She will be a highly motivated team player with strong accounting, communication, business presentation, analytical skills, and strong systems background.

Direct the financial operations of the Cluster to ensure the security of hotel assets and make recommendations to improve hotel profitability. Serve as primary contact for all hotel financial - and accounting-related issues with owners, auditors (internal and external) and regulatory agencies.

Reporting to the Area General Manager and Regional Finance leadership, here is a non-exhaustive list of the Director of Finance task's :

• Create the annual operating budget for the property and provide analytical support during budget reviews to identify cost saving and productivity opportunities for department heads.
• Analyse ROI for capital projects prior to committing funds and, upon completion, determine if anticipated results were achieved.
• Maximize cash flow performance of the hotel through controls on inventory (avoid excessive supply), credit and collection, disbursements, deposits, and remittances.
• Review rates and recommend rate strategy to the Area General Manager; participate in sales strategy meetings.
• Manage day-to-day activities, plan, and assign work, and establish performance and development goals for team members. Provide mentoring, coaching and regular feedback to help manage conflict, improve team member performance, and recognize good performance.
• Educate, train, and motivate finance and accounting teams to achieve hotel revenue goals. Ensure ambassadors has the information, market data, tools, and equipment to successfully carry out job duties. Provide direction to hotel employees on how decision-making impacts profits.
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with key department heads.
• Ensure accounting practices, support the guest experience through payment options (example: credit card systems, room charges), inventory controls and financial dispute resolution.
• Implement and maintain acceptable accounting practices as required by company policy and procedures.
• Develop and implement financial control procedures and systems; maintain records for internal and external audits; ensure compliance with government regulations and contractual agreements.
• Participate in local recognized professional and industry organizations.
• Manage hotel contracts (example: vendor leases and/or service contracts).
• Provide accurate and complete financial and management reports on a timely and accurate basis to hotel management, corporate office, and owners in accordance with the company and ownership reporting requirements and policy.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure the hotel are reporting in compliance with the policies, the Uniform Chart of Accounts and hotel management or other contractual arrangements with respect to accounting matters.
• Ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled monthly, review and approve those reconciliation’s as necessary.
• Ensure that all laws and fiscal regulations of the area location, which effect financial matters of the hotel, will be complied with.
• Protect the owners and the management company’s interest in the hotel assets and operations.
• Safe keeping of all lease and contracts and any other legal records and documents, which may affect the financial status of the hotel. Such documents are to be listed and keep current on the Critical Date List.
• Conduct regular operations risk assessments, establish a risk register for the hotel and prepare an action plan addressing the mitigation of identified risks, subject to regular reporting and follow up on the execution of the risk action plan. They shall ensure the timing and accurate reporting of all incidents in accordance with Company protocol.

Accountability

Supervises clerical accounting employees in a full range of functions such as Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit/Collections, Purchasing, Audit, Payroll, and/or Accounting Operations.

Bachelor’s degree or higher education qualification or equivalent in Accounting, Finance and 5-10 years in hotel accounting or audit with at least 1-7 years in a Director of Finance or similar supervisory role in italy, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience. 

Knowledge of accounting management duties such as negotiating hotel space and tenant leases; processing payroll; 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.

Technical skills and Knowledge

• 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
• Must speak local language(s)
• Fluent in Business in Italian and English
• Good interpersonal skills and influencing skills
• Strong problem-solving orientation

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.
Why work for Accor?

We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality.

We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.

By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit  https://careers.accor.com/

Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo! #BELIMITLESS

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.