Author: Katherine Wyles

Assistant Financial Controller, London – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This position has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

Our client is a hospitality and leisure company that operates luxury hotels, train services and river cruises worldwide.

They now have a opportunity for an Assistant Financial Controller to join the Finance Department based in London. The role itself will be based at the company’s depot office and whilst it is a fully sufficient office space it is off site and different to working in a hotel or office headquarters. Prospective candidates would need to be comfortable with this and also understand the role will sometimes require them to go to the operations, e.g to the kitchen to see the chef or depot to see engineers.

This position offers a Hybrid working system- three days in the office and two days working from home.

Position Overview
Reporting to the Financial Controller, the successful candidate will be responsible for assisting with the management of all Central functions for the Trains and Cruises business units, including, General Ledger, Revenue Accounting, Accounts Receivables, Accounts Payable, Taxation, Cash Management and the preparation of information that will assist management in making educated decisions.

Key responsibilities

  • Balancing of the passenger ticket revenue, deferred revenue, credit card refunds, discounts, cancellation revenue, rate discrepancy report and miscellaneous charges and staff charges to Travel Studio.
  • Overseeing the completion of daily banking tasks to ensure that all receipts recorded in Travel Studio posted by the Revenue and Central Accountant have been correctly reflected in the bank/credit card accounts.
  • Communicating the monthly revenues and ensure that all revenues are reviewed and approved by the Financial Controller (FC) and General Manager (GM) of the business units.
  • Supervising and managing the Central and Revenue Accounts Assistant and Credit Controller and Central Accountant including providing effective performance feedback in yearly reviews.
  • Assisting the FC with the preparation of the monthly reporting of the entire financial results of the business in established corporate formats and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (locally and as established by Corporate Office).

A full job description will be shared upon application

Candidate Requirements

  • 2 years+ relevant experience within a similar role
  • Proven leadership ability and experience in handling and coordinating different team
  • A diploma or relevant certificate from a recognised tertiary educational institution
  • Hospitality background is preferable but not essential, what is more crucial is a hands on approach to understand operations and an openess to work with them
  • An ability to communicate with all levels of staff, service providers and multiple stakeholders
  • VAT and Income Tax knowledge advantageous
  • Ability to work under pressure, multitask and prioritise
  • Accurate data entry & advanced Microsoft Excel skills
  • Experience in balance sheets and familiarity of accounting systems

Benefits

  • Competitive salary
    Private healthcare, Employer contribution pension
  • Hybrid working
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

For more information or to apply, please contact Tairona at fm@fmrecruitment.co.uk or call on +44 20 8600 1164

Director of Finance, Hawaii – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This position has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

We have an amazing opportunity for a Director of Finance to join the team at a luxury resort in the beautiful destination of Hawaii.

Reporting to the Managing Director, the main focus of the role is to oversee and manage the Finance Department and ensure its effective and efficient operations resulting in accurate financial and management reporting in a timely manner.

Main duties include:

  • Ensuring the internal control environment of the resort is maintained and complied with at all times in the resort
  • Providing key financial acumen support to the Managing Director and assist in driving hotel performance
  • Work closely with the Department Heads for Financial Support and advise them on spending and internal control matters.
  • This position will manage all key hotel finance employees and provide support for their monthly operation.

A full position description will be shared upon application

Candidate requirements:

  • Bachelors Degree – Typically degree in Accounting/ Finance/ Business, and a professional accounting designation or MBA in business are typically important.
  • International Managerial Accounting/Finance experience in luxury hotel/resort industry ideally 8+ years within a minimum of ideally 2 recognized branded properties or globally renowned properties.
  • Experience managing small finance teams
  • Competent in the use of Microsoft Office suite of products essential, especially Microsoft Excel
  • Strong knowledge and acceptance of USALI conventions for the Hospitality Industry reporting
  • Strong analytical and accounting skills
  • Good verbal, written communication (English) & interpersonal skills
  • Self-motivated, well organized & meticulous person, with an eye for details
  • Ability to plan, prioritize & implement effectively, multi-task while working effectively in a fast paced and ever changing and challenging environment
  • Must be able to adhere strictly to deadlines
  • Must legally be able to work in the United States

For more information or to apply, please contact Andrea at fm@fmrecruitment.co.uk or call on +44 7714 236 469

The Middle East’s Undimmed Investment Lure: Future Hospitality Summit 2023 in Abu Dhabi with Andrea Shaw and Tairona Lattanzi

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

Last week, Andrea Shaw and Tairona Lattanzi attended the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) in Abu Dhabi, which attracted industry professionals from around the world to explore, discuss, and decipher the current status and forward trajectory of the hospitality sector in the Middle East. Here, Andrea shares her comprehensive insights and experiences from the summit, providing a nuanced look at the opportunities, challenges, and emergent trends in the industry. 

Investment Landscape
Contrary to the whispers at the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) earlier this year that suggested that investment opportunities in the Middle East were reaching a plateau, this event hinted at a far from exhausted investment landscape there. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi have all accelerated their ambitions in recent years, but we found that this event had a considerable focus on Dubai and how it has astutely steered itself to hold substantial weight in the global hospitality industry, luring investors with its infrastructural marvels, technological advancements, and dynamic customer base. In particular, the Russian and Chinese markets are being eyed as potential catalysts for sustained investment. 

Russian and Chinese Investment
As the global ramifications of the war in Ukraine continue, Russian investors and tourists are tending to spend considerably longer in the region. A strong relationship seems to be budding between Russian nationals and the Dubai hospitality sector, signalling a niche for tailored services and more authentic experiences. By understanding their preferences, spending habits, and cultural nuances to craft offerings that seamlessly align with their expectations, the hospitality industry in the region can maximise profits in a market that holds an uncertain future. 

Touted as a colossal market with untapped potential, the Chinese traveller stands on the cusp of being a significant player in Middle Eastern hospitality. While a large section of the market is yet to re-embrace travel after the pandemic, there is a significant expectation that this will happen soon, and hospitality operators are eager to make preparations for it yet cautious enough to protect costs and cash flow in the meantime. Again, understanding their buying behaviours, shopping habits, and technological usage (like their predilection for platforms like WeChat and Weibo) will be vital to winning market share. Tailoring marketing strategies and operational aspects to accommodate and attract this segment could pave the way for a torrent of opportunities in the not too distant future. 

Sustainability 
A discernible thread through the summit was the heightened emphasis on sustainability. Dialogue with investors underscored the imperative of embedding eco-friendly practises into the very early stages of planning and construction. The financial and operational challenges of retrofitted adaptations seem to be rather easier to negate in the Middle East, with a stronger new build culture than they might be in other parts of the world. While sustainability was being pushed as a key theme during the event, the buy-in from attendees was sometimes disappointing given the low turnout at these sessions. 

With authenticity playing such an important role in appealing to customers, it seems clear that a robust and transparent environment, sustainability, and governance strategies will be crucial in appealing to both internal and external audiences. Branded hotels now tend to include operational standards to address basic ESG requirements that appeal to third party booking platforms, including corporate booking partners, and this could add to the appeal of branded hotels, which we will discuss in further detail below. You can also read more on the key role ESG can play in recruitment and employee retention, which Hospitality People Group published recently.

Food and Beverage Conundrum
With the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) taking place on the first day of FHS, the food and beverage domain garnered unanimous attention. An interesting debate that peppered the sessions concerned the question of how food and beverage outlets should be managed. While some advocated for the inclusion of celebrity chefs and high-profile names, others veered towards third-party management or even in-house handling of F&B. The strategic choice in this regard can significantly mould the guest experience and brand positioning in the hyper-competitive market, but the general consensus was that there was no consensus, which suggests that any of these management strategies can be successfully implemented in the right circumstances. Unfortunately, this also suggests that any of these can fail when the conditions aren’t suitable. 

Brand vs. Independent
In a similar vein to the question of how best to manage food and beverage outlets, the summit raised the topic of affiliating with established brands or steering through the market as independent entities. The Middle East, with its penchant for brand recognition and associated prestige, seemingly tilts the balance in favour of brand affiliations. However, there’s a sprouting of independent hotels, no doubt hoping to appeal to the growing trend for unique and authentic experiences, and they seem keen to challenge this assumption. There didn’t seem to be any evidence so far to measure the impact of this, but with so many large hotel operators with newer brands that offer the best of both worlds (e.g., Marriott’s Autograph Collection or Hilton’s Curio Collection), we may see this develop over the next few years. 

Conclusion
Andrea and Tairona’s time at the Future Hospitality Summit was a journey through a landscape of ideas, opportunities, and genuine connections. The spirit of the region, ever-resilient and ambitious, continues to embrace the global challenges in the hospitality industry, and this event will continue to linger in the minds and strategies of those hospitality professionals, operators, owners, and potential investors who attended. 

If you would like to discuss any of the topics that have been discussed here or any other elements of your people strategy, then please do not hesitate to contact Andrea Shaw at  andreashaw@fmrecruitment.co.uk or on +44 20 8600 1160. 

Payroll Manager, London – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This position has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

We have a great opportunity for a Payroll Manager to join the finance team at a luxury hotel company.

Superbly situated in Central London our client occupies one of the city’s most prestigious addresses. Newly built and impeccably designed to harmonise with the surrounding heritage buildings, the hotel is just steps away from Kensington Gardens, and other iconic attractions. Offering 190 exquisitely styled guest rooms and suites this hotel is focused on excellence and its guest can be assured of warm hospitality, luxury and elegance.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Finance the position will be responsible for the processing of Payroll for the Company’s team and for maintaining overall control of the management payroll system.

Other responsibilities include but not limited to:

  • Ensuring a proper month-end payroll closing with timely preparation of accurate payslips and payments for all contractual obligations, with all internal controls being respected
  • Preparation of  the relevant tax returns and ensure payment is processed in a timely manner
  • Preparation all month-end entries, completion of  accurate financial statements and month-end reporting
  • Generate accurate daily, weekly and monthly reporting for labour management analysis
  • Assist in the preparation of statistical reports as required by local management, government authorities and area office
  • Ensure that an organised, up-to-date filing system is maintained for all pertinent payroll records in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Liaise with regulator, internal and external auditors to provide them with required documentations and backups

Offering a competitive salary and other fantastic benefits which include:

  • Generous service charge distributed equitably to all colleagues
  • Life Insurance
  • Pension
  • Tronc
  • Medical cash plans including optical and dental coverage
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity leave plan
  • Workplace nursery salary exchange program
  • State of the art heart of house facilities including a gym, fitness classes, relaxation room
  • On-site occupational health and safety nurse and wellbeing education sessions
  • High street and online shopping discounts
  • Rewards and recognition initiatives
  • Dry cleaning

For more information or to apply, please contact Tairona at fm@fmrecruitment.co.uk or call on +44 20 8600 1164

Finance Systems Manager, London – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This position has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

We have a new opportunity for a Finance Systems Manager to join one of Europe’s most exclusive Owner / Operators.

Based in London, with extensive travel throughout Europe the role of Finance Systems Manager is a key role responsible for overseeing and optimizing the financial systems and processes within the hotels.  This role combines finance and technology expertise to ensure efficient and accurate financial operations, data management, and reporting. The Finance Systems Manager will collaborate with finance teams, IT departments, and other stakeholders to implement, maintain, and enhance finance-related software and tools.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Financial Systems Management
  • Data Integrity and Security
  • Process Improvement and Automation
  • Financial Reporting and Analysis
  • User Training and Support
  • Compliance and Regulation

Candidate Requirements:

  • Strong accounting experience with a focus on financial systems management, technology implementations, and process optimisation
  • Familiarity with financial software and ERP systems. Knowledge of tools like SAP, Oracle, or other popular finance systems is advantageous
  • Ability to lead projects, manage priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent problem-solving abilities, analytical skills, and attention to detail
  • A passion for continuous learning and staying abreast of industry trends and best practices

For more information or to apply, please contact Tairona at fm@fmrecruitment.co.uk or call +44 20 8600 1164

Finance Controller, Heidelberg – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This position has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

We have a new opportunity for a Financial Controller to become a key member of the finance team for a hotel situated in the historic city of Heidelberg.

With a scheduled re-opening for November 2023, this 240+ room hotel is minutes from the riverfront, multiple transit stops, and Heidelberg’s main attractions. The historic sites, shops, and museums of Heidelberg Old Town are within walking distance, and Heidelberg Palace is within a 10-minute drive. There is also 6,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, on-site dining, and an elevated executive lounge.

Reporting to the General Manager, the Financial Controller will be responsible for supervising and directing the financial activities of the Hotel, safeguarding the assets, and preparing all financial reports in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as well as serving as a financial advisor to Hotel Management and Ownership.

A full job description will be issued upon application

Candidate requirements:

Candidates should be fluent in both German and English and have a relevant hospitality finance background.

For more information or to apply, please contact Tairona at fm@fmrecruitment.co.uk or call on +44 20 8600 1164

Cluster Financial Controller, London – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This position has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

Our client is a hotel operator with hotels situated across the UK and Ireland. They now have an opportunity for a Cluster Financial Controller to be based in London.

Position Summary:
The Cluster Financial Controller is expected to ensure the efficient running of the finance function within their hotels with responsibilities including:

  • Clear and consistent management of controls and compliance
  • Ensuring that the high level of reporting standards are being maintained
  • Provide business acumen to parties both within and outside the finance function to ensure that risk is mitigated and opportunity taken
  • Partner with the GM’s and other non-finance related disciplines to deliver on the overall objectives of the business

The successful candidate will also need to set out clear and concise instruction as to the role of their resources having a communication plan that sets out the objectives, goals and progress being made.  This should include the business plans and strategy in the following areas:

  • Commercial Focus
  • Controls & Compliance
  • Month End
  • Weekly Tasks
  • People Focus

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Co-ordinate the Year End and Interim Audit processes of the portfolio including the review and sign-off of information being submitted to External Auditors
  • Budgeting / Interim Presentations – detailed reviews before submission. Ensure that the numbers make sense and reflect the strategy of the property.
  • Assist with the capital expenditure process, work with GM’s and senior team members to ensure accuracy of applications and submissions of requests.
  • ESG responsibility to include the monitoring of energy, gas, water & waste. To effectively communicate consumption and to fully support the ESG committee.

For more information or to apply, please contact Andrea at fm@fmrecruitment.co.uk or call on +44 20 8600 1161

Divisional Learning & Development Manager – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This position has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

Our client is a hospitality and leisure company that operates luxury hotels, train services and river cruises worldwide.

They now have a opportunity for a Divisional Learning & Development Manager to join the Human Resources team at their office in London. This position offers a Hybrid working system- three days in the office and two days working from home.

With the opportunity to travel to European locations such as France, Italy, Switzerland and Scotland, this is a fantastic opportunity to ensure that the service and quality that their clients have come to expect continues on into the future.

Position Overview:

  • Be responsible for helping the various teams to advance their skills and knowledge
  • Devise an organisational learning and development strategy, oversee its implementation, and assess its outcomes.
  • Enhance teams’ skills, performance, productivity and quality of work through creating and delivering personalised and relevant training material and courses
  • Identify training and developmental needs and drive suitable training initiatives

Key Responsibilities:

  • Create and execute learning strategies and courses and create, update and implement departmental standard operating procedures
  • Implement various learning methods for the Division (e.g. coaching, job-shadowing, online training).
  • Design and deliver e-learning and in-person courses, workshops, and other trainings.
  • Assess the success of development plans and help employees make the most of learning opportunities.
  • Implement measures and systems to improve cost efficiency and the internal and external customer experience.
  • Work towards ensuring high levels of Employee engagement, as well as positively contribute to the Employee engagement levels of the Company overall
  • To maintain the Company’s training equipment and training library of resources
  • To co-ordinate and manage interns and hotel school trainees; act as a liaison between the Company and the schools, compile practical training schedules and handle any matters relating to the trainees and interns as and when required.

Candidate Requirements:

  • Ideally from a hotel background preferably with luxury experience
  • Previous experience within a learning & development environment

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary
    Private healthcare, Employer contribution pension
  • Hybrid working
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

For more information or to apply, please contact Tairona at fm@fmrecruitment.co.uk or call on +44 208 600 1164

Will AI replace human hospitality recruiters?

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

Last year, the Metaverse was touted as the future of business. While that might certainly be the case at some point in the future, it feels that the enthusiasm for this project has waned.  

The technology needed to experience Web 3.0 is still unfamiliar to many, but more importantly, there has been a huge backtrack in recent months from innovators such as Meta and Disney, as they have dramatically reduced their workforces dedicated to this sector. 

On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing in influence. We are familiar with AI through popular culture, and Hollywood movies have often highlighted the advantages and disadvantages very clearly, and often, dramatically!  

Since Chat GPT was launched in November 2022, we have seen a sudden deluge of AI add-ons and features added to familiar websites, search engines, and productivity programmes. Devices we already own, suddenly have the ability to leverage the power of advanced AI…. for free. 

There is no doubt that AI is disrupting the way we work, live and interact. Like all advancements, it has the potential to create both new opportunities and challenges for various sectors, and the hospitality industry is no different.  

But what impact is this technology likely to have on recruitment in the hospitality industry? 

Hospitality Skills
Before we look at how AI could affect recruitment, it is important to ask if AI might make a difference in the type of roles or skills that may become more sought after in future.  

AI can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of many jobs across the sector by automating repetitive and routine tasks, such as data entry, reconciliation, invoicing and payments.  

This can free up time and resources for employees to focus on more strategic and innovative activities. This could help hospitality professionals to generate new insights and recommendations, identify new opportunities and trends, and create new products and services. 

While the reduction of manual tasks may certainly affect the number of employees required, it may also help augment the skills and capabilities of employees to help them to deliver more value for their businesses and guests. This would require the industry to continue to adapt and evolve roles and responsibilities and acquire new skills and competencies to leverage the power of these technological advancements. 

Recruitment
We know that finding and hiring perfect candidates for hospitality roles is a challenging and time-consuming process. AI will certainly be able to help streamline and improve certain recruitment processes including: 

  • The screening and shortlisting of candidates based on their resumes, skills, qualifications and experience. AI could help save recruiters time and effort and reduce human bias and errors 
  • Providing personalised and timely communication, feedback and guidance throughout the recruitment journey. This can increase candidate engagement and satisfaction, and improve the employer brand 
  • Providing insights and recommendations for recruiters and hiring managers. This can help them make better and faster decisions, optimise their strategies, and identify talent gaps and opportunities. 
  • Helping candidates find and apply for roles that match their preferences, goals and potential. This can increase the quality and diversity of the talent pool, and reduce the turnover rate. 

Understanding Bias in AI  
A 2021 Forbes article, Understanding Bias in AI Enabled Hiring, it was highlighted how AI objectively assesses the data points and reduces assumptions, mental fatigue and bias that humans often succumb to.  

While there is a risk of human bias being subconsciously programmed into the AI algorithm, there are still clear advantages to relying on AI to screen candidates on a large scale.  

In 2019, a Harvard Business Review article, Will AI reduce Gender Bias in Hiring, it highlighted that AI does not need to engage in unconscious biases to penalise based on gender or other under-represented groups in order to get a self-esteem boost. 

Reducing human bias is undoubtedly a fairer solution, but this lack of bias could also be a significant drawback to AI-based recruitment.  If a business wanted to diversify its workforce or business culture, recruitment without any human judgement may not serve the purpose.  

There are candidates out there with atypical work experiences that fail to meet the AI algorithm standards, who could potentially be the best fit in terms of their individual personality, interests, character and work ethics. 

Our Conclusion
As specialists in people strategy, we recognise that our view comes from a position of bias, but we strongly feel that AI will never replace our consultants. It will likely become a powerful tool that can augment our capabilities and performance, by helping reduce mundane tasks. This will allow us to focus on the human aspects of people and performance strategies, such as building relationships, focussing on retention and culture, and providing added value to businesses and candidates. 

If you would like to have a chat about your people strategy, please get in touch and we can chat – human to human – on Tel: +44 20 8600 1166. 

 

Financial Controller, London – Position Filled

Posted on by Katherine Wyles

This position has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

Our client is a hospitality and leisure company that operates luxury hotels, train services and river cruises worldwide.

They now have a opportunity for a Financial Controller to join the Finance team at their office in London. This position offers a Hybrid working system- three days in the office and two days working from home.

The role of Financial Controller is responsible for the management of all finance functions, including General Ledger, Revenue Accounting, Inventory, Cash Management,  Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Taxation (TOMS), and preparing information that will assist management in making educated decisions.

Key Responsibilities

  • Working with the Head of Departments (HODs), the GM, Divisional Director of Finance and the VP Trains and Cruises to ensure the business operates effectively and efficiently.
  • Manage Capital Expenditure Approval Process and Fixed Asset Register.
  • Preparation of comprehensive monthly reports of the entire financial results of the business in   established corporate formats and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (local and as established by Corporate Office).
  • Prepare forecasts and budgets as required either locally or by the corporate office and to report any deviation of over-expenditure, under-budgeting or non-compliance to the approved budget to the General Manager, Divisional Director of Finance and VP, Trains and Cruises.
  • Preparation of Cashflow and Balance Sheet forecasts in Adaptive as and when required.
  • Assist the FC, Central Accounting Services in the preparation and control of statutory accounts of VSOE Ltd
  • Work with the HODs and GM to identify EBITDA enhancing projects;
  • Evaluate the performance of Finance personnel with a view towards development and an emphasis on those individuals qualifying for future advancement.
  • Assist the Divisional Director of Finance in implementing policies, rules, internal controls and safeguards that ensure profitability and control of operations.

A full job description will be shared upon application

Candidate Requirements

  • A minimum of 4 years’ experience working as a Financial Controller or in a similar role
  • A degree or diploma in accounting from a recognised tertiary educational institution
  • Experience in managing a team
  • Hospitality experience advantageous, preferably in a 5-star environment
  • An ability to communicate with all levels of staff and service providers
  • VAT and Income Tax knowledge advantageous
  • Ability to work under pressure, multitask and prioritise
  • Accurate data entry & advanced Microsoft Excel skills
  • Experience in balance sheets and familiarity of accounting systems

Benefits

  • Group Income Protection – Group Life Insurance – Employer contribution pension
  • Hybrid working
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

For more information or to apply, please contact Tairona at fm@fmrecruitment.co.uk or call on +44 20 8600 1164

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