Director of Finance

About Four Seasons

Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture.

At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.

About the location:

Classical grandeur in the heart of Cairo. Flanked by zoological gardens and the western bank of the Nile, our address in Giza’s prestigious First Mall complex puts you in the centre of it all. Catch a glimpse of the river or the Great Pyramids from your room as you head out to explore the ancient wonders, or spend the day by the pool, indulging in an aromatic massage once reserved for Egyptian royalty. Or opt for shopping in the high-end boutiques at the First Mall or experience the best of gastronomy aboard our First Nile Boat, offering panoramic Nile views and brilliant international cuisine.

The Director of Finance forms part of the Hotel Leadership team who collectively make key strategic and operational decisions for the Hotel or Resort. The Director is responsible for safeguarding the hotel assets and financial resources contributing towards maximizing hotel profitability. Provides timely and accurate financial information and counsel to hotel senior management (and ownership) and ensures that the hotel operates within all related local and corporate policies and procedures and under the terms of the management agreement and any other applicable agreements (e.g. loan agreements). The Director is also responsible for the development of Finance staff to aid the future growth of the company.

Must be willing to work a flexible schedule in order to accomplish all major responsibilities, and be willing to accept assignments on as need basis, in order to promote team work. This may include some evenings, weekends and holidays. Some travel may be required.

Applicants are highly recommended to have a minimum of 5 years of experience in Finance Management. A Finance or Hospitality Management Degree qualification is preferred, however, not essential with relevant experience.

Position

Director of Finance

Department

Finance

Reports To

General Manager, with a dotted line reporting to Senior Vice President/Vice President, Operations Finance

Summary

Responsible for safeguarding the hotel assets and financial resources to ensure that all are utilized to maximize hotel profitability. Provide timely and accurate financial information and counsel to hotel senior management and ensure that the hotel operates within all related local and corporate policies and procedures and under the terms of the Management Agreement.

Education

University degree – major in accounting or finance preferred

Experience

Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in the related position with Four Seasons or other organization.

Travel

Occasional

Position Outline

Key Activities

Outcomes

People Functions

• Support, mentor and develop finance employees for today and the future.
• Maintain harmonious and professional relationship with all departments and Home Office.
• Comply with and enforce Four Seasons’ Category One and Category Two Work Rules and Standards of Conduct as set forth in EmPact.
• Maintain close relations with hotel’s/resort’s ownership and internal/external auditors and ensure effective action necessary on all agreed upon recommendations.
• Deal with all disciplinary and grievance matters in a consistent manner and ensure each issue is appropriately documented.
• Conduct effective department meetings; appropriately communicate and complete any action items.
• Assist General Manager in establishing policies, rules, internal controls and safeguards.
• Actively support the Safety Committee.
• Actively network within the community to attract potential candidates for recruitment purposes and understanding the competitive market
  
  

Product Functions

• Continuously deliver the highest level of product with respect to financial reporting and analysis, internal control compliance and business management. Ensure this is done with both integrity and accuracy.
• Ensure that bank accounts are opened in consultation with owners with a bank of strong financial standing and if local rating services are available, they should be utilized for verification of financial strength.
• Ensure all cheques are signed only by authorized parties and that positive pay and positive payee is in place on all bank accounts (where available) and that source documents are approved by one member of Group B.
• Ensure the preparation of a comprehensive monthly report of the entire financial results of the hotel in established corporate formats and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Effectively advocate Finance Department programs and policies to Planning Committee, Department Heads and employee groups.
• Monitor the status of Accounts Receivable aging and billing collections to achieve company standards.
• Maintain files on all contracts, leases and agreements and ensure compliance with their requirements; ensure proper authorization has been obtained for all hotel specific contracts (including Engineering), leases and other agreements and competitive bids are on file where applicable and reviewed prior to execution of contract.
• As applicable, ensure compliance with all loan covenants and the balance of long-term debt is accurate and agrees to all supporting documentation and verified when payments are made.
• As appropriate, based on the hotel's accounting on behalf of owners, interest accruals on long-term debt may be recorded on the hotel's books; the Director of Finance should ensure accuracy of the unpaid balance and applicable interest rate, and accrue the expense to the Interest Expense line item and record the corresponding liability in the Accrued Interest liability account.
• Ensure that monthly reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts are prepared and signed off on in accordance with policy.
• Review and sign off on all bank reconciliations monthly, paying special attention to reconciling items.
• Continuously strive for improvement of processes and efficiency.
  
  

Profit Functions

• Monitor, control and record all sales, purchases, salaries and expenses of the hotel.
• Closely monitor and effectively manage labor costs; plan vacations effectively and ensure proper service levels are provided with the labor standards, while minimizing OT. Comply with applicable Employment Laws.
• Prepare forecasts and budgets as required locally, by corporate office or Management Agreement.
• Review the cash position of the hotel on a daily basis in order to optimize the use of funds.
• Ensure gains/losses on the sale/disposal of fixed assets are properly disclosed and recorded on the Statement of Changes in financial position (SR-25 where applicable) and on the P&L statement.
• For locations that maintain full balance sheets including fixed assets, ensure accumulated depreciation accounts are accurate and properly recorded.
• Always search out and drive new business opportunities that benefit the hotel.
  
  

Competencies

Key Behavioural Competencies

Technical Skills and Knowledge

• Proven leadership skills in a hotel/resort environment
• Highest level of integrity and transparency
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills to work with cross-functional teams, to negotiate for resources and influence stakeholders and to gain acceptance of and commitment to plans, ideas, initiatives, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to prepare and deliver reports, effective presentations and to facilitate meetings
• Promote a continuous learning environment that creates an atmosphere for professional development opportunities
• Apply an ethical approach to influence the outcome of situations
• Serve as a role model for others by demonstrating appropriate business conduct and ethical principles
• Continuously seek to improve/develop the performance of others and continuously strive to improve his/her own performance
• Work in a safe, prudent and organized manner.
• Require a working technical knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and job knowledge of all positions in Accounting, Purchasing and Food & Beverage control. Working knowledge is generally learned on-the-job or through a series of professional certifications.
• Require knowledge of and the ability to operate computer equipment and Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Ability to read, write and speak English.
• A working knowledge of hotel systems and operations.
• Strategic, analytical and have solid business acumen.
  
  

Key Relationships

Internal Relationships

External Relationships

• General Manager/Resort Manager
• Planning Committee and Department Heads
• Area Director of Finance
• Regional Vice President
• Director of Residential Accounting
• Director of Internal Audit
• President, Senior Vice President, Operations
• Senior Vice President/Vice President, Operations Finance
• Asset Manager
• Owner
• Home Owner Associations
• Group/Catering Clients
• Local HFTP
• Director of Finance at hotels in the city / region
• Audit Partner and Manager
• Bank Managers
• Local Councils