Director of Finance | Populus Denver

Job Description

Job Description

About the Opportunity

At Crescent Hotels & Resorts, we believe exceptional hotels begin with exceptional people. We are passionate about creating memorable guest experiences, developing outstanding leaders, and delivering exceptional results for our owners while fostering a culture where associates can thrive.

We are proud to partner with Urban Villages on one of the most innovative hospitality projects in the country: Populus Denver .

Populus is not just a hotel; it is a new species of hospitality. As the nation's first carbon-positive hotel, it is built on a simple belief that hospitality can give back more than it takes and do so as a thriving business. Inspired by Colorado's iconic aspen groves, the hotel brings together design, culinary excellence, community, and sustainability into an experience that exists nowhere else. For the Associates who bring it to life each day, that means being part of a hotel with a clear reason for being.

Located in the heart of downtown Denver, Populus offers guests a distinctive lifestyle experience featuring architecturally inspired accommodations, acclaimed food and beverage experiences, immersive programming, and a mission-driven approach to hospitality. Every detail of the hotel reflects a commitment to innovation, environmental stewardship, authentic local partnerships, and creating meaningful experiences for guests and associates alike.

Urban Villages' vision is to create places that restore balance between people, community, and the environment. At Populus, that vision comes to life through thoughtful design, regenerative hospitality practices, and a commitment to leaving a positive impact on the world around us. The property's mission is simple: To restore balance for life to thrive.

We are seeking a strategic, analytical, and collaborative Director of Finance to join the executive leadership team and help guide the continued success of this groundbreaking property. This leader will be responsible for all financial functions of the hotel while serving as a trusted advisor to ownership, Crescent Hotels & Resorts, and the General Manager.

The ideal candidate understands that great finance leadership extends beyond reporting and controls. They are a business partner who can translate data into action, support operational decision-making, and help drive profitability while preserving the integrity of the Populus guest experience and mission.

This is a unique opportunity to play a critical leadership role at one of the hospitality industry's most innovative hotels while partnering with Crescent Hotels & Resorts and Urban Villages to help shape the future of purpose-driven hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership for all aspects of hotel operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Partner closely with the General Manager and executive leadership team to develop and execute strategies that drive revenue growth, profitability, and operational efficiency.
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process while providing ongoing financial analysis and recommendations.
• Deliver accurate and timely financial reporting to ownership, asset management, and Crescent Hotels & Resorts leadership.
• Analyze business trends and performance metrics to identify opportunities for revenue enhancement, cost containment, and operational improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all accounting policies, financial controls, audit requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Serve as a trusted business advisor to department leaders, helping translate financial data into actionable business decisions.
• Develop and mentor the finance team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support sustainability and operational initiatives by evaluating business impacts and ensuring responsible stewardship of financial resources.
• Maintain strong relationships with ownership, lenders, auditors, vendors, and business partners.

How We Populus

The Director of Finance will champion and embody the values that define Populus and shape every guest and associate experience.

Rooted in Nature

We look to nature first for inspiration and wisdom. Leaders understand the importance of long-term thinking, stewardship, and connection to place.

Generous

We give back more than we take, in every direction. Successful leaders understand that financial performance and positive impact can coexist.

Curious

We explore, question, and seek to understand. We value leaders who challenge assumptions, ask thoughtful questions, and use data to drive innovation.

Brave

We do the right thing, especially when it is harder. We seek leaders who operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive hotel finance leadership experience, including experience as a Director of Finance, Assistant Director of Finance, or Regional Finance leader.
• Full-service, lifestyle, luxury, or independent hotel experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in hotel accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
• Strong understanding of hotel operations and the ability to partner effectively with operational leaders.
• Experience working directly with ownership groups, asset managers, auditors, and lenders.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing finance teams.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
• CPA, CHAE, or other professional designation preferred.
• Passion for innovation, sustainability, and purpose-driven hospitality preferred.

Why Populus?

At Populus, financial success and environmental responsibility are not competing priorities—they are part of the same vision. This role offers the opportunity to help lead a hotel that is redefining what hospitality can be while partnering with Crescent Hotels & Resorts and Urban Villages to create lasting value for guests, associates, ownership, the community, and the environment.

At Populus, guests return not only for the design, the dining, and the service, but because being here means something. The person who leads it will shape a place where doing right by the planet and running a strong business are the same work, and where the community is genuinely better for Populus being in it.

If you lead with both heart and discipline, and you believe a hotel can be exceptional and meaningful at once, we would welcome the conversation.