Financial Controller

We’re looking for someone who can think strategically as comfortably as they can reconcile a balance sheet. Someone who understands that pre-opening hotels are messy, exciting, unpredictable and incredibly rewarding. Someone who can build financial discipline without stifling creativity.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who understands the Australian hospitality landscape inside and out.

Treehouse Adelaide isn’t just another hotel opening—it’s Australia’s first Treehouse Hotel, and we’re determined to get it right.

About Treehouse Adelaide

Playful, nostalgic, spirited and full of soul, Treehouse Adelaide will bring a fresh perspective to hospitality.

Built around community, creativity, music, design and genuine connection, Treehouse will become a place where locals and travellers naturally come together.

As part of Starwood Hotels, we’re creating something truly different—and we’re looking for leaders who want to build it from the ground up.

The Opportunity

This isn’t your traditional finance role.

If your passion lies solely in month-end reporting, compliance and sitting behind a spreadsheet, this probably isn’t for you.

At Treehouse, our Financial Controller will be a key member of a small but mighty Executive Committee—working alongside operations, sales, marketing, food & beverage and people operations to help shape the commercial success of the hotel from day one.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys rolling up their sleeves.

Someone equally comfortable analysing performance trends as they are walking the operation, discussing labour productivity with department heads, reviewing procurement strategies with the Executive Chef or helping the General Manager make commercial decisions.

You’ll challenge respectfully.

You’ll influence confidently.

You’ll ask “why?” before accepting “because we’ve always done it that way.”

What You’ll Be Doing

As our pre-opening Financial Controller, you will play a pivotal role in establishing the financial foundations of the hotel.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building the Finance function from the ground up.
• Developing financial systems, controls and operating procedures.
• Leading the pre-opening budgeting, forecasting and cash flow process.
• Establishing procurement processes and ensuring commercial purchasing decisions.
• Partnering with department heads to drive productivity and profitability.
• Monitoring labour performance and supporting leaders to optimise scheduling and payroll costs.
• Providing strategic commercial analysis across all areas of the business.
• Supporting ownership, the General Manager and Starwood Hotels with accurate financial reporting.
• Building and mentoring the Finance team.
• Ensuring compliance, governance and strong internal controls from day one.

What We’re Looking For

This role requires a unique combination of strategic thinking, operational understanding and hands-on execution.

Ideally you’ll bring:

• Previous Financial Controller or Director of Finance experience within hotels.
• Demonstrated pre-opening experience.
• Strong knowledge of the Australian hospitality market, including payroll, procurement, compliance and local financial practices.
• Excellent understanding of labour management, productivity, and cost control.
• Experience working closely with operational leaders to improve business performance.
• Strong commercial acumen and the confidence to influence decisions.
• Experience working with owners, asset managers and executive leadership teams.
• The ability to balance detail with strategic thinking.
• A collaborative leadership style and genuine passion for developing others.

Who You Are

You’re commercially curious.

You don’t wait for month-end to identify opportunities.

You understand that great finance leaders spend as much time in the operation as they do in the office.

You’re comfortable asking difficult questions.

You enjoy helping department heads understand their numbers.

You build trust through partnership—not policing.

You know that controlling costs isn’t about saying “no”—it’s about helping the business spend wisely and invest where it matters.

Why Treehouse?

You’ll be joining one of Australia’s most anticipated hotel openings at a pivotal moment.

You’ll help build the systems, culture and commercial foundations that will shape the hotel for years to come.

You’ll work with a passionate Executive Committee who believe great ideas can come from anyone, hierarchy should never get in the way of collaboration, and success is built together.

Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to leave your fingerprint on Australia’s very first Treehouse Hotel.

If you’re excited by the challenge of creating something from the ground up—and you’re ready to be more than just the person behind the numbers—we’d love to hear from you.

Come play with us.