Director of Finance

The Director of Finance serves as a strategic business advisor to the General Manager and executive leadership team by translating operational and financial performance into actionable business decisions that drive guest satisfaction, revenue growth, profitability, and long-term asset value. The Director of Finance will lead all financial aspects of the hotel's pre-opening and ongoing operations, ensuring accounting systems, internal controls, reporting structures, and compliance requirements are established and fully operational prior to opening.

Key areas of focus include financial planning and analysis, labor management, profitability enhancement, risk management, internal control compliance, and the successful execution of the hotel's opening and stabilization plan.

• Lead the financial transition from development to operational readiness in coordination with the construction and project management teams.
• Manage Pre-Opening Critical Path process, ensuring milestones are achieved in a timely manner.
• Oversee the pre-opening budget, ensuring accurate tracking of pre-opening expenses and cash flow requirements.
• Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing finance team focused on accuracy, transparency, and service.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Establish and implement all financial systems, standard operating procedures, internal controls, and reporting frameworks in alignment with Herschend and industry standards.
• Lead the property's financial planning and analysis efforts, including annual budgeting, monthly forecasting, long-range planning, scenario modeling, variance analysis, and performance benchmarking.
• Coordinate with the Silver Dollar City Attractions Finance team on financial reviews, forecasting, budgeting, and long-term strategic planning initiatives.
• Conduct G/L account reconciliations, budget preparations, inventories, monthly closings, and full P&L responsibility.
• Partner with department leaders to identify opportunities, evaluate business initiatives, and develop strategies to improve financial performance and operational efficiency.
• Lead labor planning initiatives through productivity analysis, scheduling controls, labor standards, and departmental accountability.
• Coordinate the completion of all forecasts and budgets as required in collaboration with the property leadership team, providing guidance on labor, expenses and revenue targets.
• Ensure compliance with all Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI).
• Translate financial and operational data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations that drive revenue growth, margin improvement, and return on investment.
• Assist in managing financial risk and ensuring the property is well-prepared for unexpected financial scenarios.
• Provide financial analysis tools to evaluate property performance, capital expenditures, labor, costing, etc.
• Collaborate and serve as a key finance partner to the Silver Dollar City Finance team to share financial insights, data, and future strategic initiatives.
• Monitor systems to ensure accuracy of data and support the achievement of revenue goals.
• Ensure balance sheet accounts are reconciled according to Herschend’s standards.
• Partner with the Herschend Property Support Center on accounts payable, cash management, auditing, payroll, income audit, and tax compliance activities.
• Establish and continually audit all internal controls including purchasing, cash handling, disbursements, credit extension, inventories, assets, master keys, payroll, and records.
• Direct and/or prepare all financial reports in accordance with the company’s requirements in adherence to communicated deadlines.
• Ensure hotel compliance with all regulatory licenses, permits, contracts, leases, legal agreements, and tax requirements.
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments.
• Demonstrate a consistent commitment to Herschend Family Entertainment’s Lead with Love principles, fostering a culture of…