Senior Regional Finance Director UK, Ireland & Israel

Hilton - Regional Office - Europe
Maple Court Central Park Central Park
Watford WD24 4QQ

The Senior Director Operations Finance UKII is responsible for Operations Finance of all leased and managed hotels in the UK, Ireland and Israel. The role aims to be recognized as trusted advisors to the business, retains best-in-class finance professionals, communicates with impact to all stakeholders, ensures a robust control and compliance environment and partners with our business to maximize profit for our shareholders and owners. This role will be responsible for all Operations finance related activities and Finance recruitment for operating hotels and pipeline openings in the region. Reporting line is to the SVP Operations Finance EMEA, with a dotted line to the SVP Operations UKII. Other key business partners are UKII regional team, the EMEA Finance leadership team and the HAFS leadership team.

• Support the business to maximize profitability and performance of all Managed and leased hotels in UKII and supports the focused service operations finance activities
• Develops a finance structure to manage pipeline growth and integration of new hotel openings into the HAFS Finance shared service center
• Leads the finance team members' development, engagement, and trust levels.
• The role must ensure compliance with agreed Hilton Global and EMEA Policies, procedures, and applicable compliance standards, ensuring the business has the correct focus and delivers the right level of profitability to both owners and Hilton.
• Contributes to manage relationships with all owners, principal stakeholders, hotel finance leaders and their teams such that these relationships are optimized, that the culture and values of Hilton are adhered to, as well as ensures compliance with operational finance standards.
• Works closely and partners with the Area SVP Operations UKII as well as the other members of the UKII Executive team
• Partners and engages effectively with the other Corporate Finance Functions, in particular the HAFS organization, in order to ensure the UKII business is set up for success and gets the right level of support
• Leads the commercial financial analysis, monthly forecasts process, annual budget process, cash flow analysis and other financial benchmarking and performance reviews for the UKII region providing value add insights into the region's performance
• Oversees all finance activities for new openings in conjunction with the property team and Finance openings team
• Develops strong, diverse teams and supports and is engaged in all company people and culture activities
• Support the implementation of existing and new Finance system tools and processes
• Participates in and leads finance projects as and when required
• Line Manager responsibility for the UKII Commercial Finance Directors, Director of FP&A and Director of Accounting & Control.

We are looking for an accomplished and competent candidate with significant senior finance management experience including the following skills and abilities:

• Ability to manage collaborative efforts of hotel teams and other matrixed resources throughout the Hilton organization, possibly including internal resources, external resources, and other constituent groups as appropriate with the aim of furthering Company and other stakeholders' goals.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills, as well as excellent spoken and written communication skills.
• In addition, we will seek a candidate with:
  • Ability to analyze hotel financial data as required to make strategic recommendations.
  • Ability to adapt to changes, contribute to resolve conflicts and ensure collaboration within teams and/or units; includes maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity.
  • Absolute discretion and confidentiality regarding sensitive information.
  • Ability to prioritize and implement all elements required for the team to fulfil responsibilities in keeping with core strategic goals.
  • Budget development and management skills, including the ability to track expenses against commitments, set priorities for funding, and contribute to budgets and forecasts.
  • Ability to work independently and support work of other team members as appropriate; includes the ability to recognize need for involvement of other teams/peers and capability to effectively facilitate that collaboration.
  • Ability to manage relationships effectively, especially with Owners.
  • Ability to provide effective performance feedback and work to ensure the peak performance of individuals and teams.

• Fully Qualified degree and professional qualification (ACA/CIMA/ACCA or similar) in Finance / Accounting
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar Finance leadership role
• Willingness and ability to travel across the region
• Preferred experience in hospitality sector - UK experience essential
• Influential and inspirational leader who can create high performing teams
• Highly effective communications and presentations skills - ability to communicate at executive committee level
• Strong problem solving and organizational skills
• Strong influencing, negotiating and consensus-building skills
• Strategic thinker with the ability to formulate effective goals, objectives and priorities with a long-term perspective