Chief Financial Officer

Job Overview

The Chief Financial Officer is the most senior financial executive for the hotel portfolio and management company, responsible for setting financial strategy, safeguarding enterprise value, and building the capital structure that supports growth across ownership, development, and third-party management. The CFO partners with the CEO/Managing Director and ownership groups on acquisitions, dispositions, financings, and long-range strategic planning, while ensuring the finance organization led by the Group Director of Finance delivers disciplined budgeting, reporting, and compliance across every property. This role requires deep hospitality finance expertise, a track record of negotiating complex transactions, and the executive presence to represent the company with owners, lenders, and equity partners.

 

This role works closely with each hotel’s General Manager, Corporate Director of Finance, and other members of the leadership team to ensure alignment between finance strategies and overall business objectives. The position requires frequent interaction with key stakeholders and therefore demands a high level of professionalism, discretion, and strong communication skills.

 

The person who has this position must possess good communication skills, have the ability to resolve conflict and have a thorough understanding of hotel policies, procedures and expectations.  

 

Because of the fluctuating demands of the company’s operation, it may be necessary that each employee perform a multitude of different functions; therefore, as an essential part of your position, you will be expected to help others when the occasion arises, just as other employees are expected to help you. Accordingly, you may be expected to perform other tasks as needed or as directed.

 

The financial strategy, capital structure, and enterprise-level financial performance of the hotel group, and management company inclusive of, and building upon, the finance function overseen by the Group Director of Finance.

 

Acquisitions and Management Contracts • Capital Markets and Debt Structuring •Asset Management/Renovation/Refinancing •Brand Revenues and Safeguards •EBITDA Performance Strategy •Equity Investments/REITs and Institutional Capital Partners •Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions •Enterprise Risk Management •GAAP/USALI and SEC Reporting •Investor Relations, Cash Flow and Treasury Strategy •Union Labor and Executive Succession Planning

 

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Strategic & Enterprise Leadership

·       Set the financial strategy and long-range plan for the hotel group in partnership with the CEO/Managing Director and ownership, aligning capital allocation with brand and growth objectives.

·       Lead and negotiate acquisitions, dispositions, hotel management contracts, joint ventures, and equity partnerships; structure deal terms and underwrite ROI against company targets.

·       Source, structure, and manage debt and equity financings, refinancings, and capital raises; own primary relationships with lenders, REITs, private equity, and institutional investors.

·       Present financial performance, strategy, and capital plans directly to ownership groups, including budget/forecast variance narratives and ad hoc analyses requested at the ownership level.

·       Drive M&A due diligence, valuation, and integration planning for new hotel acquisitions or third-party management wins.

·       Represent the company externally with owners, lenders, and asset managers on matters requiring executive-level authority, escalated beyond day-to-day portfolio reporting.

Oversight of the Finance Organization

·       Provide strategic oversight of the Corporate Director of Finance and the broader finance function to ensure budgeted and/or forecasted departmental profit and EBITDA margins are achieved across the portfolio.

·       Oversee the day-to-day financial operations of the hotel group with a focus on driving profitability, delegated through the Corporate Director of Finance and property finance leadership.

·       Ensure disciplined budget processes and capital plans for all hotels, including business plan preparation and adherence to HMA and loan agreement deadlines.

·       Approve and maintain the creation, implementation, and continued compliance of company-wide SOPs and internal controls.

·       Ensure GAAP and USALI compliance across the hospitality portfolio and oversee the annual external audit process for all hotel entities.

·       Direct tax strategy in partnership with outside tax partners, ensuring accurate and timely federal, state, and local filings.

·       Oversee corporate accounting, payroll, and all treasury functions, including enterprise-wide cash flow monitoring, capital calls, and property-level cash management support as needed.

·       Manage enterprise property insurance and risk programs, working with brokers, lenders, and asset managers to ensure HMA and loan compliance.

·       Prepare and analyze multi-year pro-formas, sensitivity models, and capital scenarios for owners, asset managers, and prospective partners.

·       Oversee third-party F&B and brand partnership agreements at the enterprise level, ensuring fee structures, payment terms, and reporting obligations are understood and upheld.

 

People & Organizational Development

·       Build and develop the finance leadership bench, including succession planning for the Corporate Director of Finance and Corporate Controller roles.

·       Partner with the Head of People on executive compensation, labor strategy, and compliance with labor laws, local ordinances, and union contracts.

·       Foster a culture of financial discipline, transparency, and continuous development across the finance organization.

·       Champion systems and technology strategy (ERP, reporting, and analytics platforms) to give stakeholders real-time access to key performance metrics.

Knowledge, Requirements and Skills

1.     The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

2.     The person having this responsibility may have to lift up to 20lbs on an occasional basis

3.     The person having this position may have to sit for eight (8) hours, stand and/or walk, push, kneel, bend, balance, squat, reach and stretch for one (1) hour per day

4.     The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an Employee typically encounters while performing the essential functions of the position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.