Director of Finance

Job Description

The Role

As the Director of Finance of Mövenpick Moroni, Comoros, you will serve as a strategic business partner to the General Manager and leadership team, ensuring the effective financial management, governance, compliance, and long-term financial sustainability of the hotel.

Situated on the shores of the Indian Ocean in the vibrant capital city of Moroni, the hotel is a landmark hospitality destination within the Union of Comoros, an emerging tourism market renowned for its pristine beaches, volcanic landscapes, rich marine biodiversity, and unique blend of African, Arab, and French cultural influences. Comoros offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of hospitality in an authentic and largely undiscovered island destination, making this role both professionally rewarding and highly impactful.

The hotel features 159 guestrooms and suites, complemented by a comprehensive range of leisure, wellness, family, and business facilities, including a swimming pool area, Little Birds Club, Teens Club, Fitness Centre, Spa, Ballroom, Mövenpick Retail Shop, and a diverse collection of food and beverage venues comprising an All-Day Dining Restaurant, Specialty Restaurant, Lobby Bar, Pool Bar, and Beach Bar.

The Director of Finance is responsible for overseeing all financial and accounting activities of the hotel, including financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, treasury, purchasing oversight, taxation, internal controls, compliance, and asset protection. The role ensures that all financial operations are conducted in accordance with Accor policies, local regulations, international accounting standards, and owner expectations.

Working closely with the General Manager, ownership representatives, Area/Hub Finance leaders, Corporate Office specialists, and department heads, the Director of Finance will proactively identify opportunities to improve profitability, strengthen controls, optimize costs, enhance financial performance, and support strategic decision-making.

The Director of Finance also plays a critical leadership role in building financial awareness throughout the hotel, supporting department leaders in achieving budget targets while fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, business partnership, and commercial acumen.

As a member of the Hotel’s Heads of Departments, the Director of Finance will contribute to the overall strategic direction of the hotel while safeguarding assets, mitigating risks, ensuring compliance, and supporting sustainable business growth.

In performing these duties, the Director of Finance is expected to maintain collaborative and professional relationships with all stakeholders while embodying the values and spirit of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts and bringing our promise of "We Make Moments" to life every day.

Key Deliverables and Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Business Partnership

1. Serve as a strategic advisor to the General Manager and Executive Committee on all financial matters.
2. Provide analysis and recommendations to support commercial, operational, and investment decisions.
3. Drive financial performance through effective planning, forecasting, monitoring, and reporting.
4. Collaborate closely with the Director of Finance Sub Saharan Africa, PME to ensure full compliance with Accor finance policies, support regional financial initiatives, maintain governance and control standards, and contribute to the achievement of regional financial performance objectives.
5. Partner with department leaders to optimize revenues, control expenses, and improve profitability.
6. Develop financial strategies that support the hotel's short- and long-term business objectives.
7. Ensure operational leaders understand financial results and key business drivers.
8. Support owner relations through transparent financial communication and reporting.
9. Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, and annual business plan development.
10. Provide financial leadership during hotel projects, renovations, capital expenditures, and operational initiatives.
11. Promote a culture of accountability, ownership, and financial discipline throughout the hotel.
12. Support the long-term financial sustainability and growth of Mövenpick Moroni as a flagship hospitality destination within the Union of Comoros, balancing commercial performance, owner returns, and responsible business practices.
13. Provide strategic financial insights that support the development of tourism and hospitality opportunities within the Union of Comoros while enhancing the hotel's long-term competitiveness and market position.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Performance Management

1. Lead the preparation and consolidation of the annual operating budget and business plan.
2. Coordinate monthly forecasting processes with all department heads.
3. Monitor revenue, expenses, cash flow, GOP, and profitability against budget and forecast targets.
4. Analyze performance variances and recommend corrective actions where necessary.
5. Ensure accurate and timely preparation of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
6. Develop reporting tools and dashboards to support business decision-making.
7. Conduct regular financial reviews with operational and commercial leaders.
8. Evaluate business opportunities, investments, and cost-saving initiatives through financial analysis.
9. Support pricing, revenue management, and profitability enhancement initiatives.
10. Deliver accurate projections and financial insights to support ownership and corporate reporting requirements.
11. Analyze the financial impact of market dynamics affecting island destinations, including seasonality, tourism demand fluctuations, import costs, foreign exchange movements, and supply chain constraints.

Accounting, Controls & Compliance

1. Ensure all accounting operations are conducted in accordance with Accor policies, local regulations, and international accounting principles.
2. Maintain effective internal control systems to protect hotel assets and financial integrity.
3. Oversee all accounting functions including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Cashier, Payroll, Income Audit, and General Ledger.
4. Ensure accurate month-end and year-end closing processes.
5. Maintain proper balance sheet reconciliations and accounting records.
6. Ensure compliance with delegated authority levels, procurement procedures, and expenditure controls.
7. Monitor cash management activities and banking relationships.
8. Oversee compliance with tax regulations, statutory filings, and regulatory requirements.
9. Ensure financial records are accurate, complete, and audit-ready.
10. Identify and mitigate financial, operational, and compliance risks across the hotel.

Procurement, Cost Control & Asset Protection

1. Oversee purchasing and receiving controls to ensure compliance with company policies.
2. Monitor procurement processes and contract compliance.
3. Drive effective cost-control initiatives while maintaining service quality and guest satisfaction.
4. Review departmental spending and identify opportunities for improved efficiency.
5. Monitor food & beverage costs, labor costs, energy usage, and operating expenses.
6. Ensure inventory controls and stock management processes are effectively implemented.
7. Safeguard company assets through proper financial controls and asset management procedures.
8. Support capital expenditure planning and monitor project spending against approved budgets.
9. Conduct regular reviews of supplier agreements and purchasing practices.
10. Ensure effective management of working capital and cash flow requirements.
11. Monitor the financial impact of international sourcing, importation costs, customs duties, freight charges, and procurement lead times associated with operating in an island environment.
12. Work closely with Procurement and Engineering teams to optimize inventory levels while mitigating risks associated with extended supply chains.

Audit, Risk Management & Governance

1. Coordinate internal, external, owner, and corporate audits.
2. Ensure timely resolution of audit findings and implementation of corrective action plans.
3. Maintain compliance with Accor governance standards, policies, and procedures.
4. Lead risk assessment processes and recommend risk mitigation strategies.
5. Monitor fraud prevention measures and ethical business practices.
6. Ensure full compliance with local legislation, taxation requirements, and financial regulations.
7. Maintain appropriate insurance records and support claims administration processes.
8. Support business continuity planning and crisis management initiatives.
9. Ensure proper authorization controls and segregation of duties.
10. Protect the financial reputation and legal standing of the hotel.
11. Assess and mitigate financial risks associated with operating in an emerging market environment, including regulatory changes, foreign currency exposure, inflationary pressures, and supply chain disruptions.

Leadership & People Development

1. Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance team to achieve departmental and business objectives.
2. Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, continuous improvement, and teamwork.
3. Drive employee engagement and support Mövenpick's Heartist® culture.
4. Identify and develop high-potential talent through succession planning initiatives.
5. Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions, and development discussions.
6. Ensure compliance with all company policies, People & Culture procedures, and ethical standards.
7. Promote learning and development opportunities for Finance team members.
8. Support cross-functional collaboration and strong relationships with operational departments.
9. Build financial awareness and business acumen across the entire hotel leadership team.
10. Lead by example through professionalism, transparency, and ethical conduct.
11. Support the development of local Comorian finance talent through coaching, mentoring, knowledge transfer, and professional development initiatives.

Owner & Stakeholder Relations

1. Maintain strong and professional relationships with ownership representatives and asset managers.
2. Prepare and present monthly financial reports, forecasts, and business updates to ownership.
3. Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support owner investment decisions.
4. Ensure transparent communication regarding business performance and financial risks.
5. Support all corporate and ownership reporting requirements in an accurate and timely manner.
6. Act as the primary financial liaison between the hotel, ownership, auditors, financial institutions, and Corporate Finance teams.

Sustainability & Responsible Business

1. Support Accor sustainability initiatives through effective financial planning and reporting.
2. Monitor utility consumption, waste reduction, and sustainability-related expenditures.
3. Evaluate environmentally responsible investment opportunities and operational improvements.
4. Support sustainable procurement and responsible financial practices.
5. Support initiatives that contribute to the sustainable development of tourism within the Union of Comoros while maintaining sound financial governance and long-term business viability.

The Director of Finance is expected to serve as a trusted business partner and financial leader for Mövenpick Moroni, Comoros ensuring financial excellence, sound governance, business sustainability, and the achievement of strategic objectives while supporting exceptional guest experiences, owner satisfaction, and long-term value creation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce, or a related field.
• Professional accounting qualification such as CPA, ACCA, CA, CMA, or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive finance leadership experience, including senior finance positions within international hotel brands.
• Previous experience as Director of Finance, Financial Controller, or Cluster Finance Leader within a premium or upscale hospitality environment is preferred.
• Fluency in French and English is required; knowledge of Comorian and/or Arabic is an advantage.
• Previous experience in remote island, resort, or emerging-market destinations is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of hotel accounting systems, financial controls, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Proven experience managing audits, taxation, compliance, and internal control environments.
• Strong understanding of hotel operations, including Rooms, Food & Beverage, Procurement, Revenue Management, and People & Culture.
• Demonstrated ability to drive profitability improvements and cost optimization initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate financial data into actionable business recommendations.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working with hotel owners, ownership representatives, asset managers, and corporate offices.
• Strong business acumen with a strategic mindset and hands-on approach.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to ethical business practices.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and adapt to local business practices and cultural sensitivities.
• Strong proficiency in hotel finance systems, Microsoft Excel, and financial reporting tools.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making capabilities with the ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced hospitality environment.

Additional Information

• Opportunity to work with a globally recognized hospitality brand under Accor.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities within the Accor global network.
• A collaborative and inclusive workplace culture.
• The opportunity to contribute to a dynamic hospitality environment delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• The chance to play a key role in shaping the financial success and long-term growth of one of Comoros' leading hospitality destinations.