Director of Finance

The Opportunity

The Chicago Athletic Association is seeking a Finance Business Partner who brings an agile mindset and thrives in a collaborative, cross-functional environment. This role plays a key part in shaping and executing thoughtful financial strategies that support the hotel’s unique character and business objectives, while delivering meaningful results for all stakeholders.

Reporting to the General Manager, this leader will help guide strategic decision-making and financial planning to drive performance, profitability, and long-term success. At Chicago Athletic Association, we celebrate individuality and connection—joining a team that values diverse perspectives, fosters curiosity and continuous growth, and builds authentic relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and guests alike.

Who We Are 

At Hyatt, we believe in the power of belonging and creating a culture of care, where our colleagues become family. Since 1957, our colleagues and our guests have been at the heart of our business and helped Hyatt become one of the best, and fastest growing hospitality brands in the world. Our transformative growth and the addition of new hotels, brands and business lines can open the door for exciting career and growth opportunities to our colleagues.

As we continue to grow, we never lose sight of what’s most important: People. We turn trips into journeys, encounters into experiences and jobs into careers.

Why Now?

This is an exciting time to be at Hyatt. We are growing rapidly and are looking for passionate changemakers to be a part of our journey. The hospitality industry is resilient and continues to offer dynamic opportunities for upward mobility, and Hyatt is no exception.

How We Care for Our People

What sets us apart is our purpose—to care for people so they can be their best. Every business decision is made through the lens of our purpose, and it informs how we have and will continue to support each other as members of the Hyatt family. Our care for our colleagues is the key to our success. We’re proud to have earned a place on Fortune’s prestigious 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for the last ten years. This recognition is a testament to the tremendous way our Hyatt family continues to come together to care for one another, our commitment to a culture of inclusivity, empathy and respect, and making sure everyone feels like they belong.

Salary

The salary range for this position is $126,000 - $157,500. This pay range reflects what Chicago Athletic Association reasonably expects to offer for the role; the final compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

We’re proud to offer exceptional corporate benefits which include:

• Annual allotment of free hotel stays at Hyatt hotels globally
• Flexible work schedule and location
• Work-life benefits including wellbeing initiatives such as a complimentary Headspace subscription, and a discount at the on-site fitness center
• A global family assistance policy with paid time off following the birth or adoption of a child as well as financial assistance for adoption
• Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with company match

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our success is underpinned by our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture and we are committed to diversity across the board—from who we hire and develop, organizations we support, and who we buy from and work with.

Being part of Hyatt means always having space to be you. Our global teams are a mosaic of cultures, ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities and identities. We constantly strive to reflect the world we care for with teams that achieve and grow together. To learn more about our commitments to DE&I, please visit the Why Hyatt section of the Hyatt career page.

Who You Are

As our ideal candidate, you understand the power and purpose of our culture of care, and embody our core values of Empathy, Inclusion, Integrity, Experimentation, Respect and Wellbeing. You enjoy working with others, are results driven and are looking for a variety of opportunities to develop personally and professionally.

The Role 

The Director of Finance leads all financial operations of the hotel, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with applicable regulations and standards. This role is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and overseeing the hotel’s financial and control functions, delivering clear reporting on operational performance, and providing strategic financial guidance to hotel leadership. The Director of Finance is expected to demonstrate the following core competencies and areas of expertise:

Financial Management:

• Prepare and review all monthly and annual financial statements. Investigate, review, and analyze variance explanations, engaging department managers in the process. Identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Lead and manage all on-site and off-site accounting functions to ensure sound fiscal management, as well as timely and accurate reporting and analysis. This includes financial and capital planning, budgeting, month-end close, accounting, and cash management.
• Lead the development and implementation of the annual business plan in alignment with overall business objectives.
• Oversee the year-end process, including reviewing and approving all reconciliations and audit workpapers. Coordinate external audit visits, respond to auditor requests, approve adjustments, reconcile audited reports to hotel records, and finalize audit approval.

Internal Controls & Risk:

• Ensure adherence to HMA terms and fulfillment of all reporting obligations.
• Maintain compliance with policies and procedures to uphold strong internal controls and appropriate segregation of duties.
• Lead and manage SOX compliance requirements.
• Monitor industry trends, local legislative changes, and organizational dynamics to inform sound business decisions.

Operational Leadership:

• Mentor and coach the finance team by providing clear direction, training, and performance feedback to support professional growth and development.
• Support the development of future leaders across all areas of the hotel.
• Empower employees with financial insights to enhance decision-making and ownership.
• Oversee the Information Technology and Procurement functions, while maintaining a strong understanding of both operational and back-office functions.
• Foster and sustain an environment that is adaptable and receptive to change.
• Responsive to all ownership groups, ensuring timely and accurate reporting, while effectively managing a wide range of ad hoc requests and independently determining appropriate courses of action.

Business Partnership:

• Collaborate with hotel leadership to develop and execute strategic initiatives that drive cost efficiencies and revenue growth, while preserving core business values and relationships.
• Oversee Third-Party F&B provider for compliance to FB Management Agreement to include validation of provided financials. Consolidation of Third-Party Financials into hotels reporting and prepare additional financial reports to be provided to ownership and lender.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with ownership representatives and key stakeholders, ensuring timely communication and submission of deliverables.
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and embrace change to create value for stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience Required:
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in finance; experience in hospitality, retail, or a related industry preferred.
• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Hospitality, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with individuals from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to convey information clearly and concisely.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• The responsibilities outlined above are not intended to be all-encompassing. Additional duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.

We welcome you:

Research shows that women, people of color and other historically excluded groups, tend to apply to jobs, only if they meet all of the listed job qualifications. Unsure if you check every box, but feeling inspired to enhance your career? Apply. We’d love to consider your unique experiences and how you could make Hyatt even better.

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Chicago Athletic Association is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. Our team members work in an environment that demands exceptional performance yet reaps great rewards. Whether it's career opportunities, job enrichment or a supportive work environment, if you are ready for this challenge, then we are ready for you.

Located on Michigan Ave, the Chicago Athletic Association hotel is a historic landmark transformed into an incomparable boutique hotel with some of Chicago's best outdoor spaces, such as Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park, right outside their front door. Inside this 1890s monument, you'll find 240 guest rooms & suites, 17,000 sq ft of event space, and seven award-winning dining destinations. The Chicago Athletic Association hotel, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, was recently voted #1 best hotel in Chicago by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler.

For immediate consideration, click Apply Now and complete an application for the Director of Finance position at CAA on the Hyatt Careers Site!