Director of Finance bei SongTeller Hotel

Inspired by Dolly Parton's epic career and trailblazing spirit, SongTeller Hotel in Nashville is as unique as the global icon herself. Dolly welcomes guests to a place where they can Love Every Moment; it is a place to unplug, to connect with loved ones and to be entertained.

The Director of Finance position is a rare and rewarding opportunity to be a founding leader in the opening of Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel featuring 245 rooms, two F&B Entertainment venues, a market, and Dolly Parton’s Museum.  As a key member of the hotel’s pre-opening leadership team, the Director of Finance will build and implement the financial framework from the ground up, including budgeting, developing standard operating and compliance procedures and internal controls. This role is responsible for aligning financial strategy with operational goals, managing all aspects of fiscal planning and reporting, and supporting department heads in achieving both profitability and guest satisfaction. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in hospitality finance, a hands-on approach to financial leadership, and a strong commitment to collaboration, accuracy, and integrity. This is a unique chance to help launch a hotel experience that’s as bold and heartfelt as Dolly herself.

SongTeller Hotel Nashville is more than just a place to rest your head, it's a hub of music, style, and hospitality designed the Dolly-way. Sprinkled with glamour, artistic surprises and a sense of humor - it's an experience as unforgettable as the entertainer herself. SongTeller Hotel celebrates the people, talent and setting of the destination, weaving the local music and culinary scenes together. So come experience the unique charm, and hospitality that could only be created by the iconic hostess herself!

Summary of Essential Functions & 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.
• Manage all aspects of accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial reporting.
• Build, lead, and mentor 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 HFE and industry standards.
• Monitor hotel performance through key metrics and KPIs, offering strategic insights and recommendations to maximize profitability.
• Systems administration, G/L account reconciliations, budget preparations, inventories, monthly closings, and full P&L responsibility.
• Collaborate with operating, procurement, HR and revenue teams to ensure vendor onboarding, payroll systems, and POS/PMS integrations are financially sound and audit ready.
• 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.
• Ensures compliance with all Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI).
• Partner closely with the General Manager and executive team to align financial goals with operational strategies.
• Analyze financial data and operations to assist and advise leadership in maintaining the hotels’ financial objectives.
• 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.
• Monitor systems to ensure accuracy of data (e.g., outlet menu prices) and support the achievement of revenue goals.
• Ensure balance sheet accounts are reconciled according to HFE standards.
• Establish and continually audit all internal financial 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 hotels’ compliance with all regulatory licenses and permits, leases, contracts, legal agreements, and the proper execution of all operational taxes. Provide assistance to leadership team in enforcing compliance on these items.
• 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.

This job description is not an “all-inclusive’ list of the duties and responsibilities of this position or of the skills and abilities required to perform this position.

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, 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.
• Ability 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.

About Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel and Herschend

Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel is the newest hospitality venture of Herschend, the world’s largest family- owned themed attractions company that’s been Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating® for seven generations. Our 12,000+ passionate employees (hosts) collectively entertain 15 million guests each year across our two-dozen wholesome family entertainment brands. Each offers distinctive experiences that inspire discovery and deliver on Herschend’s commitment that every guest leaves with two things: a smile and a deeper connection with one another.

The heart of Herschend’s success has long been the world-renowned hospitality that’s rooted in our DNA. We call it Heartspitality®. It’s a unique culture that blends our ethos of Leading with Love and our purpose of Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating® to create real impact and joy that spreads through our hosts to our guests and out into our communities.

As an equal-opportunity employer, we strive to provide environments where every host, guest, and partner feel welcome, valued, and loved. We firmly believe that words and actions matter, which is why all individuals are to be treated equally and with respect.