Aparium Hotel Group Looking for Director of Finance at Kansas City, MO Full Time

Reports to General Manager; position is exempt

Who We Are

Hotels done differently. It’s not just a slogan or catchphrase, it is who we are in everything we do. We believe in the power of People, Place and Character; ensuring our properties are a place where individuals are valued and celebrated as a tribute to the neighborhoods and the people of the communities in which we operate; elevating our associates’ pride in who they are, where they live and who we serve.

Constructed in 1911 as a bottling and distribution plant for The Pabst Brewing Company, the building was also once used for beer and liquor distribution during Prohibition. This transformation represents another Aparium project aimed at fostering the development of a dynamic local neighborhood. The opening of this hotel will add further energy to the burgeoning Crossroads Arts District neighborhood, and will welcome locals and travelers alike to experience a new and unique destination.

Crossroads Hotel is managed by Aparium Hotel Group which was founded in 2011 by Chicago hospitality executive and entrepreneur Mario Tricoci. He saw a clear need for a company that could bring c-suite service and accommodations to underserved, yet distinct and important cities, while maintaining and celebrating the unadulterated character of each. Driven by the belief that all hospitality experiences should be fueled by the poetics of their surroundings, Aparium was born with an intense focus on unearthing the amazing moments unique to every city.

Since its founding, Aparium has grown into a new kind of hotel brand, one that ventures off the beaten path, both geographically and philosophically. It is a sophisticated hotel brand known for its singular ability to combine the business acumen of large hospitality companies with the charm of boutique hotels, bringing the disparate forces together in bustling, smaller markets.

Who You Are

Your career experience is eclectic and dynamic. Having grown your career from diverse operating roles into corporate or regional leadership roles within upper-upscale or luxury hotel companies, you became bored. You decided to follow your curiosity to boutique hotel and lifestyle brands within private companies. Your early experiences may not only have been in Finance, but possibly in Rooms or Food + Beverage or Sales + Marketing or something else. You are candid, articulate, and savvy in your partnership with ownership groups and are adaptable in how you engage with a variety of stakeholders.

For you to feel comfortable within our portfolio, you will have familiarity with secondary markets and recognize that hospitality differs from city to city and even from neighborhood to neighborhood. You are comfortable with casual sophistication and realize the concept of luxury has evolved to be approachable and not cookie-cutter. You are adventurous in your backyard and are known to have your pulse on your city and are a ready participant within your community. You get excited about the newest restaurant opening, amenity packaging, a guest service story created by an employee’s intuition and not a standard, a new service concept, and get goosebumps when one of your direct reports gets promoted.

THE ROLE

The Director of Finance reports to the hotel General Manager and ensures execution of hotel financial obligations. The person in this position must be tactical and strategic; if you only prefer to “see the forest” and not “plant the trees,” then this is not a role for you. All leaders of Aparium are required to get down and dirty to unearth existing needs and personally ensure what needs to be fixed is repaired. We are a young company in hyper-growth, so having the ability to be a soldier is as critical as being a general.

The Director of Finance provides strategic leadership, functional guidance, and valuable insights to operations leaders, partners, Executive Committee and Department Heads for optimal business decisions for hotels within their area; Interacts with the ownership group, asset managers, hotel legal counsel, insurance companies, tax consultants, auditors, commercial and government banks to control the assets of the business effectively. The role is an interdependent part of the property leadership teams. The Director of Finance will be a highly motivated team player with a background in finance, accounting, and business operations and extensive experience in the hospitality industry.

What You Will Do

• Uphold and model the company’s principles of People, Place, and Character; and ensure direct reports are also modeling the way of our values that drive collaboration, intuition, and translocal hospitality
• Oversee and manage the financial operations of multiple properties, including accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis
• Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and controls that ensure compliance with corporate policies and industry regulations
• Provide strategic financial guidance and support to property management teams in order to maximize revenue and profitability
• Analyze financial data and prepare reports to provide insight into business performance and trends
• Work closely with the Aparium or Area Director of Finance to develop and execute financial strategies that support the company’s overall growth and profitability goals
• Manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, and other financial service providers
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records and reports, and oversee the preparation of tax returns and other financial filings
• Participate in the monthly financial reviews
• Manage and help oversee hotels’ on-site accounting functions to ensure property fiscal management, timely, accurate reporting, and analysis for the hotel
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including property owners, lenders, and investors
• Hire, train, and manage multiple onsite teams of finance professionals to ensure that all financial operations are carried out effectively and efficiently
• Aparium Hotel Group does not discriminate based on disability, veteran status, or on any other basis protected under federal, state, or local laws

How You Will Lead

• Engage others in general conversation to build rapport quickly; leading and adapting communication and presentation tactics to engage your audience; displaying adaptable interpersonal skills for a wide range of audiences and stakeholders
• Approach fact-finding and discovery missions in a collaborative effort; valuing input and experiences of others that creates additional insight to uncover deeper issues that may need to be addressed or removed as a barrier to implementation
• Value the importance of making decisions with integrity, maintaining confidentiality across internal workgroups, and knowing how to use discretion when appropriate; knows how to keep a secret by understanding the difference between transparency and confidentiality
• Highly analytical in thought and recommendations, although never acting like the smartest person in the room; and continually seeking out the facts; able to express a point of view without being driven by your ego
• Demonstrates business acumen and practices sound financial decisions by ensuring the actions and plans put into place support the achievement of sales goals and budgets
• Demonstrates the ability to identify strategic needs yet can be a “soldier” to ensure a strategic plan is implemented

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Hospitality; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in finance, accounting, or business operations, with at least 5 years of experience in the hospitality industry
• Strong leadership and management skills, with a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex financial data and provide actionable insights
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Knowledge of financial reporting standards and regulations, including GAAP and SEC regulations
• Proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and budgeting tools and software
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work in a dog-friendly work environment

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aparium Hospitality Services celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all employees to ensure they feel a sense of belonging. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are, where they come from and take pride in who we serve. Aparium is an E-Verify employer.

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