SkyBridge Luxury & Associates is proud to partner with a prestigious luxury hotel in Los Angeles to source an experienced Pre-Opening Director of Finance. This critical role will oversee all financial aspects of the pre-opening phase and establish the financial foundation for the hotel's long-term success. The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader with exceptional organizational and analytical skills, capable of navigating the complexities of launching a world-class property.
Position Summary
The pre-opening director of finance will lead the hotel's financial operations during its pre-opening phase. This includes creating budgets, managing financial reporting, establishing internal controls, and collaborating with various departments to ensure a seamless opening. The role will transition into overseeing the hotel's ongoing financial strategy and performance post-opening.
Key Responsibilities
Pre-Opening Phase
Develop and manage pre-opening budgets, ensuring alignment with the hotel's overall strategic goals.
Implement financial systems, policies, and procedures to support the operational readiness of the property.
Coordinate with project management teams to oversee capital expenditure tracking and reporting.
Manage pre-opening financial audits, including compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Collaborate with ownership and operations teams to provide financial insights and updates on project progress.
Operational Readiness
Oversee the recruitment and training of the finance team, ensuring all roles are filled with highly qualified professionals.
Establish internal controls to safeguard hotel assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.
Collaborate with department heads to develop operating budgets and ensure adherence to financial plans.
Develop revenue management strategies in partnership with the Sales and Marketing teams to drive profitability from the outset.
Post-Opening Financial Leadership
Lead the hotel's financial operations post-opening, including P&L management, forecasting, and variance analysis.
Monitor and analyze financial performance metrics, providing regular reports to ownership and stakeholders.
Drive cost control initiatives without compromising the luxury service standards of the property.
Ensure compliance with all tax, audit, and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or MBA preferred.
Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years in hospitality finance, with at least 3 years in a leadership role; experience in pre-opening or transitioning properties is highly desirable.
Skills:
Strong financial planning, analysis, and reporting capabilities.
Proficiency in hotel financial systems (e.g., Opera, Micros, SAP) and advanced Excel skills.
Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills to build and manage a high-performing team.
In-depth understanding of luxury hospitality standards and operations.