Senior Finance Director

Job Description

At Hearst, our employees are motivated to inform, inspire and provoke while being honest, relentless, fearless and startlingly original. In order to be successful in our mission, it's important that we maintain a culture built on continuous learning, integrity, authenticity and innovation. We believe in helping our employees tell their own stories through professional development and boundless opportunity, and in return ensure they have a deep understanding of how their contributions help tell the story of one of the most celebrated media organizations in the world.

The Houston Chronicle is in search of a Sr. Finance Director. This position will need a strong technical accounting background, the ability to monitor multiple operations, a broad range of business knowledge and an understanding of business drivers. S/he must have an aptitude for systems and strong management, leadership and communication skills.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage and develop finance/accounting team
• Oversee Month/Year End close functions- including accruals and P&L analysis
• Responsible for weekly P&L reporting and Business Review reporting to the group finance team
• Ensure accuracy, integrity and timeless of financial reporting
• Clearly communicate month end and projected revenue and expense variances to VP of Finance and/or Publisher
• Led for annual internal and external audits in conjunction with the centralized accounting team, including maintenance of internal SOX controls.
• Responsible for monthly payroll and headcount analysis
• Work with finance team and/or department heads to accurately project expenses and improve processes resulting in cost savings
• Liaison with centralized accounting team to ensure prompt and accurate balance sheet reconciliations.
• Active participation in annual budgeting and monthly forecasting working closely with department heads and centralized teams
• Improve finance team's processes
• Ad-Hoc reporting as needed for senior management and use of AI decision making
• Special projects as assigned by the VP of Finance and/or Publisher

Business Relationships:

• Senior Vice President - Finance
• Vice President of Finance
• President & Publisher, Houston Chronicle
• Senior Leadership and Management across functions
• Human Resources

Critical Skills:

• Excellent management and supervisory skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient in accounting and tax preparation software.
• Strategic thinking and leadership
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.

Personal Characteristics:

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problem, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization
• Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities.
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Requirements:

• Ten years or more of related experience
• Undergraduate degree in Accounting, Finance or related field. (MBA preferred)
• CPA Certification preferred
• Demonstrates initiative, is conscientious and provides complete follow-through on areas of responsibility
• Prior work experience as a Controller or Assistant Controller
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with fluctuating priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent customer service skills
• Merger and acquisition finance experience preferred
• Newspaper experience is a plus

About the Houston Chronicle:

The Houston Chronicle serves Houston's 2.3 million residents - as well as all of Texas - with content and marketing solutions across two of Houston's largest websites, HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com, along with our newspaper and magazine brands. The content and innovative business solutions we provide invite readers to join conversations about communities we've been helping prosper for more than 120 years.

WHAT WE OFFER:

There has never been a more exciting time to join the Houston Chronicle. Our business is growing and transforming every day. Advertisers are partnering with us to help them navigate new marketing strategies in today's increasingly complex digital environment. Simply put, the Houston Chronicle is a media company that uses its rich history and data to deliver the most impactful media campaigns for our customers. We leverage our substantial audience reach, coupled with best in class advertising solutions to keep our customer's brand in front of the right people at the right time.

Why are we different? Our people! Our company is diverse and filled with smart, passionate people who want to make a difference in their community, regardless of the role they play in the company. We offer an upbeat and collaborative working environment and expect our people to challenge the norm

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP encompasses a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.

At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories - growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms - to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.

Be a part of something bigger - your headline awaits.

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