Director of Finance (Chautauqua Hotel Company)/Career Opportunity

The Director of Finance is primarily responsible for hotel financial activities including internal and audited financial report preparation, general ledger, internal controls, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and benefits, taxes, and budget process. Serves as a trusted advisor to the Senior Director of Athenaeum Hotel Operations and the entire Management team, providing ongoing fiscal management support throughout the enterprise, while safeguarding assets.

This role is also envisioned to support the Chautauqua Institution Finance staff when needed in essence working with the broad Finance team to achieve their goals.

About the Work

• Maintained general ledger, prepared financial statements/reports and support journal entries, and account reconciliations.   
• Provide accurate and timely financial information to the Senior Director of the Athenaeum Hotel Operations and Management team.
• Ensure accounting Policies and Procedures are in place and operating effectively, supporting internal controls in those areas that relate specifically to fiscal responsibilities.
• Analyze revenue and expense performance versus budget regularly and prepare management-level reports for the Senior Director of Athenaeum Hotel Operations, Management team, and Institution CFO.
• Supervise and perform as needed the handling of cash receipts, cash disbursements, accounts payable, and internal audit.
• Oversight of balance sheet account activity to include preparation of bank reconciliations and a fixed asset accounting system.
• Prepares year-end audit documents for external audit review.  Assist independent auditors with the completion of their audits and related tax work.
• Reconcile ledger with the payroll accounting systems.
• Monitor receipts and disbursements daily.
• Oversight and execution of monthly charges and reconciliations to the Chautauqua Institution.
• Oversight and review of hotel accounts payable for documentation and approval of payment.
• Prepare account analysis as necessary for internal purposes and the external audit.
• Prepare, file, and make monthly sales tax payments and quarterly bed tax payments.
• Review and approve all account payable vouchers for proper documentation and proper allocations.
• Assists in monitoring all functions of the Hotel Property Management and Point of Sale systems.
• Assists the Senior Director of Athenaeum Hotel Operations with the development of both capital and operations budgets.
• Monitor capital expenditure appropriations.
• Partner with the Institution’s Payroll and Human Resource departments ensuring effective and efficient payroll processes.
• Provides annual departmental budget guidelines to all internal departments.
• Maintain accurate accounting of all Company lines of business necessary for fiscal reporting and annual budget development and monitoring.
• Reviews inventory procedures and final counts pre-season, post-season, and year-end.
• Assists as needed in the training of seasonal staff.

Daily Operations and Business Strategy

• Communicate regularly with the Senior Director of Athenaeum Hotel Operations and Chautauqua Institution CFO regarding trends and variances that will impact year-end and future financial results. 
• Support hotel business plan/approved budget advising Senior Director of Athenaeum Hotel Operations on the success of financial strategies informing plans/enhancements and determining impact on operations.
• Maintain positive working relationships with all staff promoting a collaborative internal and external environment.  
• Act as leader and training resource for Property Management, Point of Sale Systems, and Enterprise Resource Planning systems, including system updates, troubleshooting/interactions with internal and external Help Desk, risk mitigation, and data recovery.
• An active member of the Athenaeum EOS Leadership Team and participates in weekly Level 10 meetings.
• As a member of the Finance team, collaborate with Chautauqua Institution in various accounting policies, procedures, operations, and Intercompany transactions.
• Assist Summer Auditor with daily venue audits and weekly payroll compliance.

About You

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, majoring in accounting. Formal accounting designation or working toward a plus.

Experience

• 7-10 years of diverse accounting experience, financial reporting, general ledger, cash management and internal control, and policy development and monitoring.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of Hotel Operations, including but not limited to: SOPs, P&L, Budgeting, Sales Processes, Customer Relations, Health Safety Standards, Federal/State Labor Law, and Employee Development/Training.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective operating/control processes for maximum efficiency and profitability while ensuring adherence to established guest service criteria.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and problem-solving abilities, exercising sound judgment with a capacity to remain calm when faced with multiple priorities and deadlines. Advanced written/verbal communication skills to direct and collaborate with diverse groups at all levels. 
• Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). Prior experience working with diverse Hospitality, Point of Sale (POS), Property Management Software Programs, and ERP systems including functional assessments and system conversions.

About Chautauqua Institution

Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities.  Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conference, and events organization.  The Institution’s office in Washington, DC is located strategically for an ongoing role in the cultural conversations of the nation.

About Your Work Schedule & Location

This position is at Chautauqua Institution’s main campus in Southwestern New York (Chautauqua County).  The schedule is full-time and may include daytime and evening hours, weekdays, and weekends, especially in the busy summer operating season and during project go-live periods. The position will be based on the main campus in Chautauqua, New York, but may require some travel.

Total Rewards for Our Talent

Compensation for this role starts at $85,500 and qualified candidates may earn up to $104,000/annual. Chautauqua Institution’s competitive compensation and benefits suite includes a national health insurance network with Highmark, flexible spend (or health savings) account options, dental and vision insurance, complimentary life insurance, wellness incentives, an employee assistance program, supplemental life insurance, and long-term disability options.  The Institution supports planning for retirement through a discretionary employer retirement plan contribution, which has recently been 10% of gross compensation following the designated service period.

About the Referral Program

Chautauqua Institution’s Referral Bonus Program is a talent solution to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that encompasses all the skills and experience necessary to deliver on our goals and objectives. Chautauqua Institution will provide a $500 referral bonus (less taxes) for active employees referring a new candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90 days from the first physical date of work. In the case of seasonal positions working less than 6 months, the new candidate must remain actively employed for at least 30 days from the first physical date of work and until the closing date of the season. The closing date of the season is the last Sunday in August.

Discovering Your Chautauqua Experience

There are countless ways that our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience.  Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater.

Our Commitment to IDEA

Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority in our strategic plan, 150 Forward. One of our five core values is “The dignity and contributions of all people.”  We are committed to creating conditions where everyone can engage as complete and valued participants in the Chautauqua experience.  The Institution is an equal-opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices.  Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA.

Joining Our Talent Community

Join our talent community online at CHQ.org/employment.  You are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at CHQ.org and view the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at 150fwd.CHQ.org.

Salary : $104,000