Director of Finance (F/M/X)

Job Description

We are looking for our next Director of Finance to be at the heart of the hotel's strategic decision-making. Reporting directly to the General Manager, this role serves as the primary financial partner to the Executive Committee and ownership. The Director of Finance is responsible for safeguarding the hotel's financial integrity, driving profitability, and ensuring full compliance with regulatory, corporate, and contractual obligations. We seek a commercially astute leader who can translate financial data into meaningful business insight and inspire a high-performing finance team. This is a unique opportunity to shape the financial future of one of Rome's most iconic ultra-luxury properties.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide financial analysis, market data, and business intelligence to support key operational and strategic decisions.
• Lead the preparation of the annual operating budget, capital budgets, and rolling forecasts in collaboration with the GM and department heads.
• Analyse return on investment (ROI) for capital projects prior to funding and evaluate outcomes upon completion.
• Identify opportunities to maximize hotel profitability, improve cost efficiencies, and enhance revenue performance.
• Develop benchmarking techniques to continuously improve financial and operational performance.
• Represent the financial function in ownership meetings, business reviews, and Executive Committee discussions.

Financial Operations

• Maximize cash flow performance through disciplined controls on inventory, credit, collections, disbursements, and deposits.
• Partner with the Executive Committee to oversee the financial impact of operations on the P&L, monitoring revenue, costs, and margins.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of all financial and management reports, including actual vs. budget/forecast variance analysis.
• Oversee and approve monthly balance sheet reconciliations and fixed asset sub-ledgers.
• Manage hotel contracts, including vendor leases, service agreements, and financial arrangements.
• Approve cash disbursements, rebates, adjustments, and allowances in accordance with company policy.
• Maintain comprehensive records for internal and external audits to ensure transparency.

Procurement & Purchasing Oversight

• Lead and supervise the Purchasing team, aligning vendor selection and negotiation with financial objectives and ultra-luxury standards.
• Establish and enforce purchasing policies, approval thresholds, and inventory controls across all departments.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with Accor Group policies, Italian regulations, and audit requirements.
• Collaborate with Department Heads to anticipate purchasing needs aligned with operational forecasts.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with Italian fiscal regulations, Accor policies, the Uniform Chart of Accounts, and contractual obligations.
• Develop, document, and implement robust financial control procedures and internal control systems.
• Conduct regular operational risk assessments, maintain the hotel risk register, and execute risk mitigation action plans.
• Safeguard all leases, contracts, and legal records affecting the hotel's financial status on the Critical Date List.
• Ensure all required permits, licenses, and regulatory filings (e.g., liquor licenses, tax returns) are maintained.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage the Finance & Accounting department (Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit, Purchasing, Audit, Payroll, and Accounting Operations).
• Set clear performance goals, provide regular feedback, and coach team members to align financial operations with guest service goals.
• Foster a collaborative relationship with all department heads to ensure financial literacy and budget accountability across the hotel.

Guest Experience & Operational Finance

• Ensure accounting practices support the guest journey, including seamless payment options, billing accuracy, and swift resolution of billing disputes.
• Oversee inventory controls that align with luxury standards.
• Partner with F&B, Rooms, and Events teams to ensure financial processes enhance rather than impede the guest experience.

Qualifications

We are looking for a seasoned finance professional with a strong background in luxury or ultra-luxury hospitality:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline
• 5 to 10 years of progressive experience in hotel accounting or audit
• Minimum 2 years in a Director of Finance or equivalent senior supervisory role
• Proven experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and asset management
• Experience working with ownership groups, external auditors, and regulatory bodies
• Prior experience in Italy or strong knowledge of Italian fiscal and labour regulations

Skills & Competencies

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of technical expertise, leadership presence, and cultural sensitivity:

• Strong analytical and numerical skills with a solid understanding of financial valuation methodology
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with hospitality systems (e.g. Opera PMS, Sun Systems) is highly desirable
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Italian
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, able to engage and advise at all levels of the organization
• Commercially minded with a proactive, problem-solving orientation
• Ability to work with precision and composure under pressure in a fast-paced luxury environment
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive financial and ownership matters

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

Additional Information

• Gross annual salary range: 80.000€ - 90.000€ according to the profile. 

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

• 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.