Senior Director, Benefits Finance and Accounting

Job Number 24124453
Job Category Finance & Accounting
Location Marriott International HQ, 7750 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland, United States VIEW ON MAP
Schedule Full-Time
Located Remotely? N
Relocation? N
Position Type Management
 POSITION SUMMARY:

 

The Senior Director, Benefits Finance and Accounting will lead financial and accounting, reporting and analysis needs of Marriott’s global health + welfare, retirement, stock and time off benefit plan offerings.  This leader will partner with senior Human Resources, Finance, and Continent leaders to ensure that the Company’s benefit plans are operating in a comprehensive, compliant and transparent manner subject to applicable laws and regulations under federal, state, and local country rules as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).   

 

The Senior Director will proactively engage in strategic initiatives and partner with leaders across the organization to design and implement finance and accounting strategies, policies, processes, and tools to ensure accurate financial reporting, ensure proper controls are in place, and monitor the achievement of business goals. 

 

The Senior Director will lead a team of professionals, inspiring success and providing oversight of the benefits accounting and finance deliverables provided internally and externally. 

 

 

EXPECTED CONTRIBUTIONS:

 

Financial Reporting and Accounting:

• Manage and oversee US and non-US benefit expense associated with and including payroll taxes, defined benefit and defined contribution plans, health & welfare plans, deferred compensation incentives, paid time off, sick leave and other benefit programs and services. 
• Ensure the self-insured programs and other benefits’ revenue and expenses are properly captured in accordance with ASC 606.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment for all accounting and financial processes, while establishing new and efficient controls and processes for evolving HR benefits and self-insurance programs and structures. This includes implementing key controls for the actuarial analyses and evaluating and maintaining controls in place for established financial processes.
• Coordinate the production and delivery of multiple types of actuarial analyses with third-party actuaries to support Marriott’s self-insured plans, pension, and corporate balance sheet. This includes providing guidance and direction on management assumptions used in reserving practices (e.g., discount rates and confidence intervals).
• Ensure the accuracy of all balance sheet accounts related to benefit programs in accordance with Marriott’s Account Reconciliation policy (MIP-66).
• Ensure that the balance sheet for Marriott benefit programs is accurately stated, including, but not limited to, appropriately supporting all receivables, premiums, accruals, and reserves. Additionally, ensure the quarterly balance sheet deliverable is completed timely and clearly communicates insurance and benefit program fluctuations that are included in Marriott’s corporate balance sheet.
• Oversee internal and external audit processes, ensuring timelines and deliverables are met.
• Monitor business processes and systems to ensure financial reports are in compliance with GAAP and/or SSAP and company policies and standards.
• Prepare and lead presentations of quarterly and annual financial statements and analysis to senior HR leadership, corporate accounting, and other key stakeholders as needed. Ensure that regulatory, management and SOX reporting is completed timely and accurately.

 

Benefit Program Financial Management + Business Analysis

• Lead near and long-term financial planning for benefit program costs, partnering closely with Benefit team leaders to deliver on strategic initiatives, goals and key metrics.
• Lead in-depth financial and business analysis to identify emerging trends and program design considerations; communicate and report results to key stakeholders, including HR and Finance leaders, Pension Plan Trustees, Plan Fiduciaries and external auditors.
• Provide financial leadership for the TakeCare Relief Fund by auditing policies and procedures and ensuring all processes to support donations and grants are successful. Maintain strong vendor relationships, coordinate with internal stakeholders, including revenue management, Owner and Franchise Services, Global Technology, and Finance on program design, delivery and compliance. 
• Review and participate in budget and financial forecast processes, including a thorough knowledge of the key operational trends related to health and retirement programs, annual and projected trends, and global cost allocations, unit cost, regulatory program changes and plan initiatives to effectively control costs. Ensure all funding is appropriate based on contractual compliance.
• Create and regularly maintain accurate forecasts and budgets for benefit programs, collaborating with Global Finance and Continent Finance leaders to incorporate in business budget guidance.
• Ensure appropriate financial and analytical techniques are utilized and that appropriate resources are engaged to develop and implement business cases for new programs, services and processes, and engage in all applicable internal governance review and approval protocols. 
• Identify and drive improvements in processes that will result in greater efficiencies and minimize risk. 

 

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

• Minimum seven years’ financial management and accounting experience; preferably with a specialization in benefit and retirement plan accounting. 
• Strong functional leadership and finance knowledge; able to leverage this strength to influence business team strategies and decisions.
• Able to lead and manage multiple projects simultaneously; ability to translate business needs into operational financial management priorities. 
• Extensive knowledge of generally accepted finance and accounting policies, principles and controls; as well as Marriott-specific accounting and finance processes and systems. 
• Strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and ability to work with large volumes of data.
• Proven ability to work in a complex business model; in depth knowledge and understanding of MI business model and internal billing structure preferred.
• Leads with a collaborative mindset to ensure that key stakeholders are considered; builds strong relationships internally and externally to leverage resources and insights to drive success. 
• Ability to formulate creative solutions for complex business issues, mitigating risk and maximizing stakeholder satisfaction.
• Models and empowers others to monitor feedback, satisfaction, and relevant metrics to deliver enhanced services.
• Fosters an environment that supports feedback and ongoing development by putting systems and processes into place to manage program performance and associate development.
• Communicates effectively (verbally and written); keeps stakeholders informed about key issues, and courageously influences others to support a point-of-view, gain alignment, or take action.
• Results oriented; monitors team and individual performance, establishing clear standards, expectations, timelines, and budget requirements.
• Identifies and focuses on business opportunities that have the highest value for the Company.
• Manages team, and individual workloads by prioritizing tasks and delegating assignments appropriately, helping others understand work requirements, and obtaining resources needed to accomplish work.

 

EDUCATION + PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or related discipline required; MBA preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) 

 

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.

Marriott International is the world’s largest hotel company, with more brands, more hotels and more opportunities for associates to grow and succeed. Be where you can do your best work,​ begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global​ team, and become the best version of you.

---