Director of Finance

Published Job Title Director of Finance Job Description The Director of Finance is the hotel’s senior financial leader, responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and effectiveness of financial operations, reporting, controls, planning, and analysis. The position serves as a strategic business partner to the General Manager and works closely with the LOTTE Headquarters Expatriate to provide timely financial information, support hotel performance, and maintain alignment with company and headquarters requirements.

The role provides financial leadership to department heads while safeguarding hotel assets and ensuring sound fiscal stewardship. Reports to: General Manager; Collaborative/dotted-line relationship through the General Manager and Expatriate to LOTTE HQ in South Korea. Direct Reports: Assistant Director of Finance and two Accounting Clerks Key Responsibilities: Financial Leadership and Business Partnership Serve as the primary financial advisor to hotel leadership, providing clear analysis and recommendations that support operational and strategic decision-making.

Partner closely with the General Manager on financial performance, operating priorities, cost management, capital planning, risks, and business opportunities. Work collaboratively with the LOTTE Headquarters Expatriate to support communication, reporting, financial analysis, and alignment with LOTTE headquarters expectations. Maintain effective communication with headquarters regarding financial performance, forecasts, budgets, material variances, risks, and other required financial matters.

Financial Planning, Forecasting, and Reporting Lead preparation of the annual operating budget, capital expenditure budget, forecasts, projections, and other financial plans. Monitor actual results against budget and forecast; identify material variances, explain business drivers, and develop appropriate recommendations with hotel leadership. Oversee preparation and timely distribution of accurate financial statements, management reports, key performance indicators, cash reporting, and other required schedules.

Provide financial insight to department leaders to strengthen revenue performance, labor and expense management, and overall profitability. Accounting, Controls, and Compliance Oversee all hotel accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash management, income audit, payroll-related accounting, reconciliations, and financial close processes. Ensure financial activities and records are completed within established deadlines and in accordance with hotel and company policies, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI), and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

Establish, maintain, and monitor internal financial controls designed to protect hotel assets and support accurate, complete, and transparent financial reporting. Review and approve financial transactions within assigned authority, including expenditures, payment activity, journal entries, reconciliations, and related financial documentation. Oversee applicable tax reconciliations, filings, payment processes, audit support, and required financial record retention.

Review leases, contracts, management arrangements, and applicable collective bargaining agreements for financial obligations and accounting impact. Treasury, Assets, and Audit Oversee banking activities, cash controls, bank reconciliations, and cash-flow monitoring. Support responsible stewardship of hotel assets through inventory controls, capital planning, fixed-asset oversight, and appropriate financial review of asset-related activity.

Coordinate year-end and other internal or external financial audits and ensure timely response to audit requests and findings. Leadership and Team Development Directly supervise, coach, train, and develop the Finance and Accounting team, consisting of the Assistant Director of Finance and two Accounting Clerks. Establish clear expectations, promote accountability, and support a professional, collaborative, and service-oriented work environment.

Partner with Human Resources and hotel leadership on recruitment, performance management, development, and succession planning for the Finance and Accounting function, including direct reports. Provide appropriate financial guidance and training to operational leaders to strengthen financial acumen across the hotel. Operational Partnership Collaborate with hotel departments on weekly forecasting, staffing and cost planning, purchasing, contracts, and other activities with financial impact.

Support cross-functional initiatives that strengthen the performance of the overall LOTTE property and guest experience while maintaining appropriate financial controls. Perform other responsibilities consistent with the position as assigned by hotel leadership. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field strongly preferred; advanced degree preferred. Progressive accounting or finance leadership experience, including significant management responsibility; hotel or hospitality finance experience strongly preferred.

Strong knowledge of GAAP, USALI, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, audit processes, and hotel accounting operations. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial information, identify business drivers, and communicate practical recommendations to senior leaders and department heads. Strong leadership, organizational, judgment, and communication skills with high attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Working knowledge of hotel and enterprise accounting systems, including property management systems (PMS), point-of-sale systems (POS), enterprise resource planning systems (ERP), enterprise performance management systems (EPM), and human capital management systems (HCM). Experience with systems such as Opera Cloud, Toast, Oracle Fusion, SAP, and ADP is preferred.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE), or comparable professional credential is preferred but not required. What We Offer Competitive salary and performance-based incentive opportunities. Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement savings plans. Opportunities for professional development and career advancement within LOTTE Hotels & Resorts. L7 Chicago by LOTTE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, order of protection status, arrest or conviction record as permitted by law, credit history as permitted by law, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. .