Director of Finance

About the role

The Director of Finance serves as a strategic business advisor to the General Manager and executive leadership team by translating operational and financial performance into actionable business decisions that drive guest satisfaction, revenue growth, profitability, and long-term asset value. The Director of Finance will lead all financial aspects of the hotel's pre-opening and ongoing operations, ensuring accounting systems, internal controls, reporting structures, and compliance requirements are established and fully operational prior to opening.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial transition from development to operational readiness in coordination with the construction and project management teams.
• Manage Pre-Opening Critical Path process, ensuring milestones are achieved in a timely manner.
• Oversee the pre-opening budget, ensuring accurate tracking of pre-opening expenses and cash flow requirements.
• Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing finance team focused on accuracy, transparency, and service.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Establish and implement all financial systems, standard operating procedures, internal controls, and reporting frameworks in alignment with Herschend and industry standards.
• Lead the property's financial planning and analysis efforts, including annual budgeting, monthly forecasting, long-range planning, scenario modeling, variance analysis, and performance benchmarking.
• Collaborate with the Silver Dollar City Attractions Finance team on financial reviews, forecasting, budgeting, and long-term strategic planning initiatives.
• Partner with department leaders to identify opportunities, evaluate business initiatives, and develop strategies to improve financial performance and operational efficiency.
• Lead labor planning initiatives through productivity analysis, scheduling controls, labor standards, and departmental accountability.
• Coordinate the completion of all forecasts and budgets as required in collaboration with the property leadership team, providing guidance on labor, expenses and revenue targets.
• Ensure compliance with all Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI).
• Translate financial and operational data into actionable insights and strategic recommendations that drive revenue growth, margin improvement, and return on investment.
• Assist in managing financial risk and ensuring the property is well-prepared for unexpected financial scenarios.
• Provide financial analysis tools to evaluate property performance, capital expenditures, labor, costing, etc.
• Collaborate and serve as a key finance partner to the Silver Dollar City Finance team to share financial insights, data, and future strategic initiatives.
• Monitor systems to ensure accuracy of data and support the achievement of revenue goals.
• Ensure balance sheet accounts are reconciled according to Herschend’s standards.
• Partner with the Herschend Property Support Center on accounts payable, cash management, auditing, payroll, income audit, and tax compliance activities.
• Establish and continually audit all internal controls including purchasing, cash handling, disbursements, credit extension, inventories, assets, master keys, payroll, and records.
• Direct and/or prepare all financial reports in accordance with the company’s requirements in adherence to communicated deadlines.
• Ensure hotel compliance with all regulatory licenses, permits, contracts, leases, legal agreements, and tax requirements.
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments.
• Demonstrate a consistent commitment to Herschend Family Entertainment’s Lead with Love principles, fostering a culture of kindness, respect, and purpose.
• Perform Manager-on-Duty functions and shifts as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA or MBA preferred).
• 7–10 years of progressive financial leadership experience in hospitality, luxury hotel, or resort settings.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, USALI, hospitality accounting systems (e.g., Opera, JDE, Oracle, ProfitSword, Hotel Effectiveness), Microsoft Office, Teams and internal audit procedures.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and capital project oversight.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Able to manage sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
• Proven leadership skills, problem solving, team building, communication and organizational skills.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Opening hotel experience preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Able to display and live out Lead with Love qualities strongly rooted in the Silver Dollar City Company culture by being patient, kind, humble, respectful, selfless, forgiving, honest, and committed.
  • Able to make a friendly impression when speaking to or corresponding with guests, vendors, and other hosts.
  • Able to be self-motivated and disciplined.
  • Able to prioritize and complete work assignments on a timely basis.
  • Able to maintain strict confidentiality and judgment regarding privileged information.
  • Able to promote and support a “team” work environment by cooperating and helping co-workers.
  • Able to be flexible to handle frequent changes in priorities.
  • Able to perform duties consistent with creating a safe and secure environment for hosts and guests.
  • Able to show appreciation of others.

Benefits

• Free Admission- Free admission to Silver Dollar City Attractions and discounted admissions to Herschend Enterprises’ attractions and resorts across the US for you and your dependents.
• Exclusive Admission Discounts- Complimentary tickets & discounts on season passes for loved ones.
• Food & Merchandise Discounts- Discounts on dining, drinks and merchandise across Silver Dollar City Attractions.
• 401(k) & Profit Sharing- The Profit Sharing and 401(k) Retirement Plan is available to hosts after they have been with the Company for 3 months (Monthly Plan Entry Dates).
• Health Insurance- Affordable health plan options (co-pay, HSA, FSA) available to all full-time seasonal and year-round employees.
• Mary's Well House- Employee health center provides employees with basic office visits, x-rays and lab work for co-pay, whether insured or not.
• Free Tuition– Earn your degree, debt-free. 100% free tuition starting day one of employment. Learn more at https://herschend.guildeducation.com/partner.
• See all the benefits offered through Silver Dollar City at: https://www.silverdollarcity.com/Employment/Benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employer/ Disabled/ Veterans

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.