Manager, Finance – Universal Kids Resort

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Universal Destinations & Experiences
Job ID: 638864
Category: FinanceFinance,
Career Type: Regular (Full-Time)
Location: Frisco, TX

Universal Destinations & Experiences are unique vacation destinations that are part of the NBCUniversal family. Our teams around the world create epic vacations for the entire family, delivering incredible experiences that place guests in the heart of powerful stories and adventures. No matter what your background is or where your interests lie, we invite you to explore opportunities in our Universe.

Job Description & Requirements

Universal Kid’s Resort is designed to spark the imagination of children with a truly unique experience compared to existing destinations. With a park designed to ignite the art of play and a hotel to provide continued excitement for the children and relaxation for the adults, you could find yourself working in a variety of environments. Located in Frisco, TX, this new project aims to inspire wonder in visitors of all ages. With a primary focus on families with young children, it creates a distinctive working environment. With a park designed to ignite the art of play and a 300-room family hotel to provide continued excitement for the children and relaxation for the adults, you could find yourself working in a variety of environments. These could include working in various climate conditions, standing for long periods, and in noisy environments. The working hours are unique, often covering weekends and holidays, plus evenings. This position offers company-sponsored benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, and a variety of other discounts and perks.

POSITION SUMMARY

Manages the Hotel Finance function for the Universal Kids Resort (UKR) business including providing operational finance support, cost tracking, vendor payment management, forecasting, financial reporting, and general financial support.

Pre-Opening: Provides input, guidance, and development of IT specific financial requirements, in partnership with UDX Digital & Technology teams, of hotel-related IT systems, hardware and applications for both the park and hotel specific systems and supports implementation efforts.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Directs and supervises the overall applicable financial function with specific focus on respective division(s) at Universal Kids Resort Hotel.

Pre-Opening: Leads the development of financial requirements and implementation of the Hotel IT related platforms including but not limited to reservation system, resort-wide cashless payment, keyless entry, and other systems used within the hotel.

Oversees and executes month-end financial close processes including reviewing and approving various journal entries, preparing, or reviewing reports at various levels of the business for actuals, documenting variance explanations and reviewing balance sheet account reconciliations.

Pre-Opening: Provides input and system requirements for hotel specific financial processes, ensuring alignment with UDX reporting requirements and SAP integrations.

Oversees monthly operating cost reporting for each operating area including a monthly forecasting and distribution to management, assist with development of annual operating plan, pacing and Latest Estimate submission data.

Pre-Opening: Leads transition and partnership of pre-opening UKR Hotel budget cost tracking initiatives from New Ventures Corporate Team while collaborating on pre-opening budget reporting and ad hoc requests.

Presents analytical materials and participate in meetings with Operators and/or Executive leadership and provide support to develop/execute financial plans. Identifies opportunities and maintain an active relationship with leadership and stakeholders.

Pre-Opening: Partners with UDX Finance, NBCU O&T, and NBCU HR Operations to ensure data requirements are captured for business processes, workflows, cost objects, and transactions.

Reviews deliverables to be reported to New Ventures Corporate Finance team. Ensures timely and accurate financial reporting of business results with variance commentary.
Manages direct reports by providing leadership, coaching, mentoring, career development, and performance management. Develops and maintains standard operating procedures for Hotel specific financial processes as we establish the new business model.
Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UDX policy, procedures, training, and team member involvement activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities (KSAs) required.

Strong knowledge of forecasting, analytical thinking, and budgeting.
Advanced Excel skills, strong planning and scheduling, and financial planning.
Proficient knowledge of Accounting principles.
Ability to communicate clearly and present financial recommendations to an executive level.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Consistent attendance is a job requirement.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field is required. Master’s degree is preferred.

EXPERIENCE

5+ years of finance experience, 3+ years of Hotel Finance/Accounting experience is preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Experience opening a new hotel from planning through grand opening including writing SOPs and requirements gathering of a project management and technology tools is preferred.
Experience with Microsoft Power BI and/or Business Analytics tools is a plus.
IT or hotel system implementation or data requirements experience is a plus.
Some domestic travel will be required.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Destinations & Experiences via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Destinations & Experiences as a result of the referral or through other means.

Universal Kids Resort. Here you can.

Required On-Site: This position is required to be performed full-time from an NBCUniversal-designated worksite.

Our Brand Pillars

These pillars are the foundation of Universal Creative and reflect the values we embody every day.

We are Innovative

We innovate the future. We push the envelope by fusing art and technology to create immersive and unforgettable experiences.

We are Diverse

We believe we are all capable of doing more than one thing. We achieve the extraordinary by embracing the diverse abilities of our Team Members.

We are Empowered

We push ourselves to be our best. We lead change and solve problems, because the next thing we do should always be better than the last thing we did.

We are Authentic

We want you to be you. We believe that the unique and bold spirit of our team is what fuels our unbridled creativity and unparalleled innovation.

Spice Up Your Career

Looking for not just a job, but a career opportunity? Keeping our kitchens and dishes clean can be just the beginning. Working as a Steward will allow you to work directly with our Chefs and get hands-on experience to grow within our Culinary team. Additional Culinary Team Member perks include:

Work shoes
Opportunity for cross training and working in exciting new venues
Meal vouchers
Opportunities to advance, based on skill and available positions, to a full-time career in Culinary

A Universe of Opportunities

Administration team member seated in a chair with library of books behind her

Universal Orlando’s Administration division supports our entire business operation. As strategic partners, these teams take active roles to assist the organization and drive successful business decisions. And, as an industry leader, our Administration teams strive to maintain our position as a top employer and community partner. Career opportunities include:

Human Resources
Facilities Management
Legal & External Affairs
Community Relations
Environmental Health & Safety

Universal Creative Internship Video Transcript

[Ariel] The Universal Creative internship program is full of extraordinary opportunities for interns to gain hands-on work experience. [Jeff] Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to take part in designing spaces that creates some of the fondest memories for people. [Griffin] The idea of blending technology, engineering, and storytelling really spoke out to me. And I wanted to be an environment where I could learn for those who really know what they're doing. [Ariel] I looked and the job description was amazing. It was literally everything that I've ever wanted out of an internship. [Ana] Some of the cool things that I've been able to do is see a lot of behind the scenes about how the park is run, and just envisioning the future worlds of tomorrow. It's been a really cool experience just to see what's coming up. [Carey] I've done some really cool attraction walkthroughs. I've got to walk through Hulk and Kong Skull Island and Forbidden Journey, and those were really incredible experiences. [Griffin] I think the cool thing about the Universal Creative internship is, you have a lot of opportunities to work with others and do what you want to do. [Jeff] I never expected any sort of company to be like this. [Emily] I really feel like I can be myself here. Everyone's been so opening and welcome. I don't have to put on a mask. I don't have to be somebody that I'm not. I can just be my genuine, authentic self. [Carey] I would say the culture at Creative is really a community and teamwork based. [Ariel] Everyone's so invested into the interns, and that's something unique. [Ana] You can ask a question and you'll always get an answer. [Tyler] Everyone's always happy and I'm willing to help you out when you're trying to learn something new, or you don't know how to do something. [Griffin] And as a student, it's very important to get that career guidance as you go on through more classes, and it's been a really great opportunity to get that in a very open environment. [Carey] For future interns, I would just say network and learn as much as you can. It's a really incredible opportunity and everyone wants to help you out. [Emily] Embrace your time here. Take advantage of your time here because it goes by so fast. [Ana] There's no such thing as you're only doing one job here. [Griffin] You have a lot of opportunities to go outside of your scope of work as an intern. So use it as an opportunity to absorb everything like a sponge. [Ana] Join the Universal Creative team. The possibilities are endless.

Team Member Journey

“I was always a fan of Universal Orlando Resort and visited the parks frequently growing up, so when I was ready for my first job while in high school, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. But I never imagined that my part-time job would turn into an exciting career! The ability to grow within the organization is one of the things I love most about Universal Orlando. Growth is an important part of the culture and no matter where you begin your journey, there’s opportunity to explore different areas and find your passion. I also love that there’s always something new and exciting happening at our destination for guests, including new attractions, events and more. The constant rollout of innovative new experiences makes it extremely fun and rewarding to be a part of the team!”

Kristen

Director, Public Relations

Kristen's Career Journey

2001

Ride & Show Attendant (The E.T. Adventure)
Public Relations Intern

2006
Spring & Summer 2007

Event Management Temporary Assignment
Corporate Sales Coordinator

Fall 2007
2008

Public Relations Coordinator
Public Relations Representative

2010
2013

Manager, Public Relations
Sr. Manager, Public Relations

2019
2023

Director, Public Relations

Team Member Journey

“Universal Studios was a huge part of my childhood growing up, introducing me to some of my favorite films like Back to the Future. As an adult, the development of interactive wands for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ really opened my mind to the possibilities for creative applications of interactive technology. Since working at Universal Creative, it has become clear why such innovative experiences are not only possible but encouraged. Our work culture is incredibly inclusive and motivating of outside the box thinking and collaboration which leads to world class experiences for our guests. Additionally, the work environment at Universal Creative has been critical to my personal career development. I am regularly encouraged to ask questions, to take creative ownership of my work, to seek out development opportunities for my skills, and to collaborate with my peers across the company. I’ve had the honor of working on multiple world class experiences with Universal Creative and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next challenge.”

Anthony

Software Developer, Universal Creative

Anthony's Career Journey

2016

Intern, Engineering
Technical Coordinator

2017
2017

Associate Software Developer
Software Developer

2020

Team Member Journey

"To me, Universal is a community of passionate, knowledgeable people who are driven to create great impact for our guests and Team Members. In an environment like this, the work I do and the people with whom I have the privilege of partnering makes daily work feel interesting and exciting. I always say I could do what I do for a living anywhere, but I am privileged to do this work here. Our culture allows for learning and movement, and I’ve been lucky to grow by learning from a variety of experiences, including internships, mentoring, park shifts, Team Member advocacy and event support, volunteering, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team Member Resource Groups. When I ask, “Can I learn about your team and what you do?” I am always given an enthusiastic, welcoming response by leaders across our universe. As I’ve grown here, I’ve watched Universal also grow - opening new parks, rides, and restaurants; growing our footprint across the world; and introducing innovative and cool experiences. It feels like it is always an exciting time to be here, and I can’t wait to be a part of the amazing things we’ll do next!”

Anisa

Sr. Manager, Organizational Development (Former UO Intern)

Anisa's Career Journey

2005

Intern in Organizational Development
Assorted work around HR

2006
2007

Talent Acquisition Interviewer
Rep, Org Development

2008
2011

Sr Rep, Org Development
Specialist, Org Development

2013
2016

Manager, Org Development
Sr Manager, Org Development

2019

A Universe of Global Opportunities

Universal Orlando Resort is an all-in-one entertainment destination that includes Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay, Universal CityWalk and Universal Orlando Resort hotels. We bring unforgettable experiences alive for our guests, immersing them in legendary stories, fantastic journeys, exciting nightlife and more.