Finance Director

Key Finance Director role in luxury hospitality and travel business Your new company Seren and Rout escape are leaders in luxury hospitality and bespoke travel experiences, curating unforgettable journeys and exceptional stays. With a commitment to excellence, authenticity and sustainable tourism, we are looking for a dynamic finance leader to drive our Group and operational financial strategy to ensure outstanding performance and sound business fundamentals.

Seren has an impressive portfolio of hotels and restaurants including Grove of Narberth, Lan y Môr in Saundersfoot, Beach House Restaurant in Oxwich, Penmaenuchaf in Dolgellau, and The Kiosk Café, Seren has consistently achieved organic growth since its inception in 2008 to become the leading Welsh luxury hospitality brand. We are proudly based in Wales, surrounded by its extraordinary natural landscapes, employing over 150 exceptionally talented professionals.

Rout escape, our luxury travel business launched in 2018, which has enjoyed a remarkable rise and is key to our strategic future. Rout escape creates exceptional journeys across Great Britain, Ireland, France and Italy, offering a tailored luxury travel experience with a true sense of place. Your new role Reporting directly to our Chief Executive, you will work beside our senior leadership team to build a leading hospitality and travel group renowned for award-winning properties, outstanding visitor experiences, and deep-rooted family values.

=Advise the Chief Executive and board on governance, regulatory responsibilities and financial planning. =To lead, develop and manage the Group’s loan portfolio and investments. =Develop the Groups borrowing and investment strategies, identifying, appraising and arranging new external capital and structuring transactions. =Manage relationships with key external stakeholders, including our Corporate Banking Relationship Directors at Barclays and shareholders Wrightwood Investments. =Provide strategic financial insight to inform key business decisions and growth plans.

=Lead, mentor, and collaborate with a highly capable finance team including 2 finance managers hungry and 2 accounts administrators. =Maintain close collaboration with Business Leaders, Heads of Departments, and our HR and Payroll teams, ensuring all budget monitoring to achieve financial targets and KPIs. =Oversee the production of timely and accurate monthly accounts, and weekly management reports. =Take ownership of the financial modelling which underpins our financial reporting.

=Consistent monitoring of 13 week and end of year cash flows against budget. =Own the relationship with our external auditors to ensure an efficient audit process and a clean audit report. =Compile and examine all yearly and monthly financial reports. Involve the department managers in the investigation, review, and analysis of the variance explanations. Take the effort to oversee troubleshooting for appropriate revenue enhancement and expense controls.

=Manage the annual business planning cycle, working with the Chief Executive, Chief Operating Officer and business leaders to prepare and evaluate individual business and consolidated group forecasts. =Champion best practices and efficient financial systems, using platforms such as Sage and advanced Excel integrations. What you'll need to succeed =Commercially astute and pragmatic financial leader. =Minimum 15 years’ experience in finance and accounting, including significant industry exposure.

=Proven leadership in a senior finance role, ideally within hospitality and travel (though not essential). =A ‘hands-on’ Director of Finance who thrives amongst the nuts and bolts of a transaction heavy hospitality and travel business. =Natural integrity, professional credibility, and an eye for the fine details. =Exceptional technical expertise and the ability to manage, dissect and improve sophisticated financial systems and reporting software.

=Excellent communication skills, able to engage confidently at all levels. =A collaborative, resilient, and approachable nature with a passion for privately-owned, values-driven businesses. =A practical outlook coupled…