Director of Operations Finance

Sage Hospitality Group is set to hire a Director of Operations Finance to join us here in Denver!

As part of Sage Hospitality Group, we passionately strive to be the best and create excellence in everything we do. We believe in enriching lives one experience at a time. More than a slogan, we empower our employees to make positive impacts on the communities in which we live and work. By providing genuine service we build relationships with our guests and value for our shareholders, and we create unforgettable experiences.

We are looking for independent thinkers. Those who harness their entrepreneurial spirit so that it breaks preconceived notions. We’re not afraid to forge our own path. After all, it’s what industry leaders do. That’s why we welcome risk takers and creative spirits alike. No matter your daily role, Sage recognizes that your success is about more than the work you do—it’s really about who you are, which is why we invest in your personal and professional growth. We hope you consider joining us!

The Director of Operations Finance is the strategic partner of  senior  executives at hotels and operations leaders at Corporate Office. The goal is to maximize asset value and returns on investment for our owners and equity partners and to provide proactive service support for our senior hotel teams and customers.  This position will support an assigned portfolio of hotels.  In addition, the position may directly oversee corporate finance and/or accounting associates and indirectly supervise property level Finance/Accounting leaders to meet and exceed the strategic goals of the organization.

Strategic

• Work with the Corporate Office and Hotel/Restaurant Operational Leaders to determine opportunities to drive profitability to the assigned properties and portfolios.
• Assess purchasing opportunities across assigned properties, including management of the Avendra program and third-party utility companies.
• Evaluate operational metrics to prioritize initiatives that can make the greatest impact across assigned properties.
• Drive hotels’ financial performance through continuous review and monitoring of hotel monthly and annual results, providing feedback to the appropriate Leadership Teams, and suggesting adjustments when appropriate. 
• Support teams focused on shared services, operational performance, compliance, and systems.
• Look for more efficient and effective ways to provide services to our hotels and owners. 
• Leverage technology and third parties where appropriate. 
• Support hotel teams with ROI analysis and metrics regarding planned capital expenditures
• Participate in the preparation and review of pro-formas for new or expanded hotels and/or restaurants.

 Financial

• Support the property financial leaders in assigned portfolio in maintaining trained staffing of accounting positions at the property level for assigned properties.
• Hold assigned property financial leaders accountable in maintaining strong internal control environments at all properties to include maximization of profits, proper controls, optimal productivity, and a coordination of efforts towards achieving objectives.
• Work with property financial leaders to drive hotels’ financial performance through continuous review and monitoring of hotel monthly and annual results, providing feedback to the appropriate Leadership Teams, and suggesting adjustments when appropriate.
• Gain a thorough understanding of the ownership agreements for all properties, including but not limited to, management, partnership, operating and franchise agreements.
• Monitor monthly, quarterly, and annual compliance requirements for the following constituents: Lenders, Ground Lessors, Food and Beverage Lessees, Retail Tenants, Parking Companies, Franchisors.
• Provide financial leadership for assigned transitions and new openings. Ensure transitions of properties are handled effectively. Coordinate the pre-transition setup, onsite transition activities, and post –transition follow-up and 
  inspection. Ensure implementation of Sage SOP’s, financial systems, and controls at all new and transition properties.

Operational

• Support General Managers and the Operations team with thoughtful analytics regarding forecasting, cost control and margin improvement. 
• Ability to work with a variety of operational leaders in supporting assets across all Sage Hospitality Group divisions, including Sage Hotel Management, Sage Restaurant Concepts, Sage Investments and Sage Studio.
• Evaluate and drive standardization and optimization of process, systems, communication, and controls at each property for maximized results and efficiencies.
• Develop effective analytical process and culture with comprehensive metrics and reporting processes.
• Manage partnership relationships between the organization’s various department, property operations and ownership groups. 
• Influence all partnership relationships through motivation, communication and positive team synergies and leadership.
• Ensure coordinated efforts around sharing value-added best practices and procedures.
• Identify potential challenges that could impact the business in the future while taking corrective action on current performance deficiencies. Recommend and implement changes to prevent known performance deficiencies from occurring again. 
• Benchmarking – Understand hotel performance standards from other management companies and identify opportunities for improvement. 
• Annual Plan review – Provide detailed review of the annual budget and forecasts and identify opportunities to maximize market share, revenue, profit, cash flow, etc. Assist with the preparation of the annual capital plan for each hotel to ensure that our assets are well-maintained for our guests and consistent with cash and reserve requirements and return on investment criteria. Support Operations with the annual presentations to ownership. 
• Project management responsibilities include the coordination and guidance of new system initiatives and deployments.

Owner Communications

• Ensure owner management agreement obligations are carried out. This includes initiating and participating in owner meetings and acting as a liaison with hotel management and other service departments in preparing for these meetings. 
• Review and understand financial statements that are delivered to our equity partners. Proactively communicate any concerns to ensure no surprises. 
• Review and understand ownership needs and expectations on a periodic basis. 

Other Strategic

• Lead strategic planning, development, and coordination of business initiatives and strategies for assigned properties.
• Oversee communication to customers related to the long-term vision and strategies and ensuring timely and proactive communications to all stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop high potential talent and future high potential talent for the organization in line with the organization’s talent management strategies. 
• Implement succession planning within each direct report to provide new opportunities as associates develop, to handle company-wide growth, and to mitigate risk if associates leave. 
• Look for more efficient and effective ways to provide services to our hotels and owners. Leverage technology and third parties where appropriate. 
• Participate and maintain active company and community relations while taking part in corporate activities and meetings.
• Perform any other assignments as directed by the organization or leadership.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• All other duties as assigned, requested, or deemed necessary by management.

BEHAVIORAL FOCUS

At Sage, we pride ourselves on the behaviors that build our culture and help associates perform in their positions. We value integrity, performance, team spirit, growth, delivering extraordinary guest experiences, and engaging in our communities. We have also outlined specific competencies that contribute to success at Sage. Please review our competency models to understand the behaviors expected of different levels in the organization (you may find these models in our learning management system).

Education/Formal Training

• Undergraduate degree required; concentration in Finance or Accounting preferred

Experience

• 5 years of related management experience in finance roles in hospitality with at least 2 years as a Property Director of Finance / Controller. 

Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to influence all levels of the organization with their presence and business acumen.
• Proven ability in building and sustaining a strong finance team with strong results.
• Strong knowledge and ability reading, analyzing, and understanding financial statements, loan documents, leases, and contracts.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills; ability to identify message points and messaging opportunities.
• Oversight of multiple properties and departments. 
• Demonstrates an ability to communicate with a diverse group of customers.
• Ability to manage internal associates at all levels of the organization.
• Proactive, independent, forward-thinking, trustworthy, and hands-on finance executive.
• A dynamic team player who is a quick study and can think creatively and effectively challenge existing practices.
• Able to skillfully shift between strategy and tactics and provide strong leadership to the finance organization. 
• Strong computer and problem-solving skills including ability to proactively identify and prevent potential problems. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Proven experience presenting, communicating, and negotiating with external investors, owners, lenders, third parties, etc. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lifting/carrying files and papers up to 15 lbs.
• No bending/kneeling required. Stationary position.
• No continuous standing, climbing, or driving required.

Environment

• 95% indoor office environment

This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the associated with the position. May perform other duties as assigned.

• Unlimited paid time off

• Eligible for bonus

• Medical, dental, & vision insurance

• Health savings and flexible spending accounts

• Basic Life and AD&D insurance

• Company-paid short-term disability

• Paid FMLA leave for up to a period of 12 weeks

• Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with employer matching

• Employee assistance program

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more.

• Eligible to participate in the Employee Referral Bonus Program. Up to $1,000 per referral.

** The application period will be open for approximately 30 days or until a suitable candidate is identified. We encourage qualified individuals to submit their applications within this timeframe.