Director, Business Finance - Operations in Calabasas, California at AmaWaterways, LLC
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Job Description
At AmaWaterways, we believe meaningful careers begin with purpose, passion and a shared commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences. For those who value curiosity, connection and personal enrichment, AmaWaterways offers the opportunity to help craft meaningful river journeys that invite travelers to follow their own current. Built on a foundation of heartfelt hospitality, we treat our guests—and each other—with genuine care, warmth and respect. AmaWaterways fosters a collaborative environment both onboard our ships and across our global network of offices, where team members grow together, support one another and take pride in upholding the high standards and thoughtful service our company is known for.
We invite talented, motivated professionals to explore our career opportunities and begin their journey with AmaWaterways today.
Position Summary
The Director, Business Finance - Operations partners with leaders across every element of the guest experience, from the ships and onboard hotel and culinary programs to shore experiences, guest services and itinerary operations, as well as package tours. This role guides how AmaWaterways plans, manages and improves the cost of delivering its river cruises and package tours, including package tour costs for hotels, guides and transportation, and owns margin management across both. It translates operational activity into financial insight and brings financial discipline to purchasing, staffing and spending decisions without compromising the guest experience. This role operates with imperfect information and helps the team quickly identify and implement the changes needed to produce quality, decision-useful operating cost and margin data.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the finance partner to leaders across all elements of the guest experience for river cruises and package tours, including ship operations, hotel and culinary, shore experiences, guest services and itinerary operations
- Own operating cost budgets and forecasts for river cruises and package tours in partnership with FP&A and operations leaders
- Manage package tour costs, including hotels, guides and transportation, from contracting and budgeting through actual results
- Manage margin for river cruises and package tours, analyzing performance by ship, sailing, itinerary, package tour and guest experience component; explain variances and recommend corrective action
- Identify and drive cost reduction and efficiency opportunities, tracking benefits through delivery while protecting the guest experience
- Develop operational KPIs and dashboards that connect operational drivers to financial results
- Support vendor and supplier negotiations, including hotel, guide and transportation arrangements, purchasing strategy and business case evaluations
- Partner on capital planning for ships and operational investments
- Lead and develop the cost-focused FP&A team members reporting to this role
- Work with Accounting to ensure cost actuals, accruals and reporting are accurate and aligned
- Present financial performance and recommendations to the CFO and senior leadership
- Champion AI enablement in operations finance, applying AI-enabled tools to cost analysis, forecasting and reporting
- Identify and help implement the changes needed to deliver quality, decision-useful operating cost and margin data
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting or Economics (MBA or CPA preferred)
- 10+ years of progressive finance experience, including operations finance, cost management or business partnering
- Proven leadership of finance professionals
- Strong financial modeling, forecasting and analytical skills
- Proficiency in NetSuite and BI tools
- Interest in ship operations and guest service operations in hospitality
- Ability to balance cost discipline with the quality of the guest experience
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence operations and senior leaders
- Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and quality
- Experience in cruise, travel, hospitality or shipping environments is a plus
- Interest in and practical experience with AI enablement, with the ability to apply AI-enabled tools and processes to improve how finance work gets done
- Comfortable operating with imperfect information and exercising sound judgment to keep moving while data quality improves
- High-energy, self-driven and collaborative, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growing company with private equity-style expectations for pace, accountability and results
Core Competencies for Success
Business Acumen
Understands the broader business impact of decisions; considers financial, market, and operational implications; aligns work with strategic priorities.
Analytical Thinking
Synthesizes complex information; leverages data, experience, and sound judgment to design practical and effective solutions.
Strategic Thinking
Anticipates trends and opportunities; adapts strategies as conditions change; balances near-term execution with long-term growth.
Collaboration & Teamwork
Partners effectively across teams and functions; values diverse viewpoints; builds trust; advances shared goals and collective success.
Leadership & Influence
Inspires and motivates others; communicates a clear direction; provides meaningful feedback; leads with confidence, empathy, and accountability.
Quality & Accountability
Delivers accurate, thoughtful work; applies feedback to improve outcomes; maintains high standards while balancing efficiency.
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