Director, Finance & Business Support

Austin's largest luxury property, Fairmont Austin offers 1,048 guestrooms and suites, along with over 140,000 square feet of meeting and event space. This is your opportunity to be part of the most innovative and passionate hotel teams in one of the fastest growing markets in the United States.

The Director of Finance provides strategic leadership, functional guidance and valuable insights to Operations Leader, Partner, Executive Committee and 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. The Director of Finance will be a highly motivated team player with strong accounting, communication, business presentation and analytical skills. Strong systems background needed.

What you will be doing:

• Creation and embracing the culture of business partnering by working with General Manager. The Director of Finance and the General Manager are jointly responsible for achieving optimal operating performance and returns for FRHI and our owners without losing sight of all measured KPI’s
• Develop and manage key relationships and respective Management Committee members and their senior managers to provide financial support and understanding of short and long-term financial plans.
• Review financial performance of department/area, analysis of variances, forecasts and budgets. Challenge existing strategies and/or recommend alternate strategies to continually improve effectiveness of the business or financial management.
• Contribute to all business decisions of the hotel regarding revenue generation, hotel expenditure and investment.
• To assist other department heads in the development and implementation of “corrective action plans” on internal and or external audit and operational reports
• To assist in the development of the business acumen of all levels of the hotel Leadership team to ensure they understand the impact of every component on the business as a whole and embrace the fiscal reporting processes, and information available in order to drive the performance of their areas of responsibility
• Promote, drive and maximize GOP Theoretical Flow Through concept across the departments.
• Support the General Manager in developing a strong business relationship with hotel owner by participating and contributing in meetings and discussions and responding proactively to owner requests and initiatives within the boundaries of the HMA
• Responsible for the analysis and interpretation of the financial data and communicating this in a comprehensible form, of meaningful variations in the operations. The analysis of the balance sheet accounts, on a selected basis and the preparation of the monthly internal benchmarking and operational performance analysis reports.
• To assist in the development and implementation of benchmarking techniques that will enable the hotel to enhance revenues while improving productivity and cost efficiencies. To seek, identify and implement throughout the hotel best practices that will serve to enhance revenues, guest service and improve cost and productivity efficiencies.
• To assist in preparing, in conjunction with the General Manager and other department heads, the annual budget, capital budgets and the rolling forecast. The Director of Finance will establish the annual budget preparation procedures and guidelines.
• To recommend and assist in the design, implementation, and use of methods and procedures that improve the accuracy of working schedules, labor standards, forecast, plans to assist operational staff. Monitor on an ongoing basis the accuracy and recommend correct measurements as necessary.
• To provide accurate and complete financial and management reports on a timely basis to hotel management, corporate office and owners in accordance with the company and ownership reporting requirements and policy. In addition, the Director of Finance is responsible for reporting accurately and timely, the actual results as compared to budget/forecast results. He/she is to maintain adequate records to reflect the comparison of the actual expenditures for furniture, equipment and operating equipment to the budgeted amounts.
• Manage all facets of the capital process. Ensure all hotels establish and maintain the tracking of fixed assets sub-ledgers and depreciation.
• To participate in the development, maintenance and adherence to a single chart of accounts, payroll and expense dictionary, and the function of accounts in order that the hotels financial and statistical data is accurately and consistently recorded and reported.
• In addition to the preparation of all financial statements, accounting and statistical reports, and any other special report that may be required by corporate office or the General Manager, the Director of Finance is responsible for interpreting said reports and then communicating the results with the General Manager and relevant department heads.
• Has a fiduciary responsibility to the Company and/or Owners for ensuring the hotels are reporting in compliance with the policies, the Uniform Chart of Accounts and hotel management or other contractual arrangements with respect to accounting matters
• All laws and fiscal regulations of the area location, which effect financial matters of the hotel, will be complied with. This includes seeing that proper permits and licenses are obtained for such things as liquor licenses, sellers permit, business licenses, etc.
• To protect the owners and the management company’s interest in the hotel assets and operations. Director of Finance & Business Support should be the guardian of the Hotel Management Agreement. Management Agreement terms, priorities, performance tests and incentive fees distribution requirements are completely understood and managed.
• The 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
• Control systems are monitored and audited on a regular basis, as documented by Audit Services, to measure compliance with internal controls. Segregation of duties for non-compatible functions is enforced. Controls are explained and understood by all employees, as part of their job description that the employee has signed off on.
• Ensure cash flow is adequate to meet the needs of the operation. Approve all cash disbursements and ensure that all disbursements are properly documented and executed. Approve all rebates, adjustments and allowances in accordance with company policy.

• Hotel Operational Finance knowledge
• Computer Skills – Strong computer skills, particularly Excel and preferably Opera, SUN, ADP, Micros
• Accounting - Knowledge of accounting principles and practices, P&L statements, operating budgets, forecasting and scheduling, and the reporting of financial data
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Strong problem-solving abilities
• Highly responsible and reliable
• Ability to work cohesively as part of a team
• Ability to focus attention on both guest needs, while balancing colleague needs, remaining calm and courteous at all times
• Empathetic leader, you are keen to build emotional connection with your colleagues, help them develop their strength and provide regular and constructive feedback.
• You ensure a good communication of the Finance information and maintain excellent relationship and partnership with all the different hotel stakeholders (Owners, Accor Europe Luxury Division, Banks etc.)

We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent. Fairmont Austin is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.