Director of Finance

Company Description

SO/ Budapest invites you to the front row

SO/ is a coveted collection of hotels rooted in the world of fashion, commanding attention with it’s avant garde design and creative approach to the world of luxury.

SO/ Budapest will open towards the end of 2026 and our search for an experienced Director of Finance to join our team and play a crucial part in this successful opening begins.

Located in a prime position overlooking the iconic Chain Bridge and the Danube River, SO/ Budapest Hotel is a bold new addition to the city’s luxury hospitality scene. The hotel features 349 elegantly designed rooms and suites, complemented by a vibrant mix of dining and entertainment experiences. Guests can enjoy an all-day dining restaurant, a show-stopping rooftop bar with panoramic views, and extensive wellness facilities that offer a space for both relaxation and rejuvenation.

Designed with both leisure and business travellers in mind, the hotel also boasts state-of-the-art MICE facilities, making it a key destination for events, meetings, and social gatherings in the heart of the city.

Job Description

What you’ll do…

• Ensure strong financial management within a robust control environment.
• Have ultimate responsibility for accurate accounting records and provide financial reports for the hotel. The hotel is operated on a self-accounting basis and includes statutory accounts. 
• Manage the finance relationship with operations and finance at hotel and head office ensuring that an excellent service is provided through quality input.
• Manage the relevant elements of our owner relationship.
• Lead all elements related to balance sheets, P&L, cash management, capital, amongst others.
• Provide focused, innovative and value-adding management reporting and analysis.
• Deliver high quality management information and performance measurement that is accurate and relevant.
• Ensure reporting that incorporates benchmarking, identification and measurement of key performance indicators and use of balanced scorecard.
• Optimise and develop systems to improve efficiency and information.
• Ensure training takes place for users; challenge processes to eliminate non-value adding tasks.
• Work with colleagues to ensure that errors are corrected at source and processes amended as required, eliminating rather than correcting errors.
• Lead the planning and forecasting process for SO/ Budapest and ensure that financial plans are consistent with the strategic objectives.
• Pro-actively support the General Manager and lead the finance team in hotel strategic planning, focussing on value opportunities.
• Manage the formulation, review and approval process for budgeting within the hotel.
• Lead, develop and inspire a high-quality finance team.
• Actively plan for succession to develop and replace individuals effectively.
• Develop effectiveness of the finance function through continuous training and development of the team. Lead and motivate the team to high levels of performance.

Qualifications

What we’re looking for…

• A strong financial operator with local Hungarian experience in a similar role preferably within a luxury and/or lifestyle environment.
• Ideally you’ll have had previous pre-opening experience.
• Strong knowledge and experience of operating requirements from a financial and legal perspective. 
• Technical skill, with a strong understanding of compliance requirements, best practice hotel operations, finance function set up and standard systems.
• A balance between a methodical and process-driven approach and flexibility and creativity when it comes to meeting deadlines and finding solutions.
• You are comfortable with the strategic as well as day to day detail.
• You are an excellent relationship builder, with previous experience of owner relationships.
• You are an excellent relationship builder, confident in working with other teams and leaders; you’re passionate about what we can achieve together.
• You want to question the norm and create change by doing things differently.
• You’re grounded, we leave our egos at the door and approach everything with an open mind.

Additional Information

What's in it for you...

• The opportunity to launch an exciting new hospitality concept in Budapest and have a real impact on its success.
• Join an innovative, fast-growing, international group that’s committed to not just building new hotels but building a global brand.
• The chance to challenge the norm and work in an environment that is both creative and rewarding.
• Become part of a team that’s very passionate about creating great hospitality experiences and building a portfolio of brands.
• A competitive package and plenty of opportunity for development.