Highgate Hotels

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint. The hospitality forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, and Seattle. www.highgate.com.

Location

Situated at the end of famed Canal Street, The Westin New Orleans offers stunning views of the mighty Mississippi River and the French Quarter. Guests are just steps from the Shops at Canal Place and Harrah’s Casino and a short walk to the excitement of Bourbon Street and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The hotel features 462 rooms and suites, including a Presidential Suite, with Westin's signature Heavenly® bedding, 34,000-sq-ft of event space, a fully equipped WestinWORKOUT fitness center, a lobby bar Observatory 11 with the best view of the French Quarter anywhere, and a new restaurant Bistro at the Bend.

Overview

The Credit Manager is charged with proper invoicing within standard policies. This position will work with management and team members to assure timely and accurate invoicing and rating occurs. The Credit Manager is accountable for the credit granting process, including the consistent application of credit policy, bill collection, periodic credit reviews of existing customers, and the assessment of the creditworthiness of potential customers, with the goal of optimizing the mix of company sales and bad debt losses. The Credit Manager will at times be required to interface with operational managers and occasionally with the executive board.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented-manner.
• Must be able effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous, and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Oversee all functions of Accounts Receivable.
• Responsible for supervising and managing staff in accounts receivable department, including training new and existing staff
• Create effective and efficient schedules while maintaining labor costs, meeting staffing objectives and achieving deadlines.
• Maintain accounts receivable systems, review the aging, reconcile daily hotel receivables and review group master billings.
• Manage all account queries and disputes.
• Manage Accounts Receivable accounts and ensure all accounts are reconciled regularly.
• Daily review of Accounts Receivable ledger and monitor incoming payments.
• Responsible for compiling all group billings in a timely manner and in accordance with Highgate Hotels policies.
• Focus on minimizing the A/R outstanding balance.
• Ensure prompt, accurate and efficient system for billing of current and aged accounts.
• Review the Guest Ledger, High Balance report daily and reporting discrepancies, ensuring check-in / check-out procedures are followed.
• Administer credit processes and policies for other departments in the hotel.
• Ensure the accuracy of all charges and credits to the various accounts and that they are properly posted on a timely basis.
• Ensure the timely credit collections of all outstanding payments.
• Monitor credit limits of all outstanding accounts.
• Ensure all credit applications are properly documented, approved by the management, and are based on hotel’s policy and procedures.
• Ensure compliance on Payment Card Industry (PCI) policy.
• Scrutinizing all accounts to ensure adherence to the credit policy; includes pursuing and collecting delinquent accounts, providing status reports of uncollectable accounts.
• Collaborating with managers to ensure that all associated accounting requirements are adhered to in accordance with established procedures / time lines.
• Supervise Accounting Assistants regarding accurate and timely billing, processing of credit card inquiries and charge backs, billing of FIT accounts, processing of advance deposits and advance deposit refunds.
• Reviewing Credit / Accounts Receivable operations and recommending / implementing improvements.
• Prepare month-end journal entries and assist with accounts receivable related account reconciliations.
• Develop and document processes and procedures and ensure compliance with necessary controls.
• Supports ADOF and DOF with special projects and workflow process improvements.
• Maintain organized set of detailed records and files to document financial transactions.
• Promote and demonstrate superior customer service in accordance with department and company standards.
• Ensure customer service standards are followed by all team members and address issues as they arise.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with all regulatory compliance within area of responsibility and reporting potential issues to executive management or general manager.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all departmental and company matters.
• Resolve issues and ensure resolution.
• Maintain strong communications with guests and meeting planners to resolve any disputes and billing discrepancies.
• Work closely with room reservations and front office teams to insure proper procedures are followed for online travel agency reservations.
• Directs or prepares all financial reports in accordance with Highgate Hotel’s requirements meeting various due dates and deadlines, i.e., Weekly: A/R & A/P Aging
• Conduct and/or attend and contribute to periodic meetings to maintain favorable working relationships among employees and promote maximum morale, productivity, and efficiency.

Qualifications

• At least 3-5 years related experience in accounts receivable and group billing.
• Able to work weekends and holidays as required to meet deadlines.
• Able to work flexible hours and extended shifts as required to meet deadlines.
• Hospitality experience is highly preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications
• Knowledge of hotel PMS systems, hotel accounting systems, and hotel sales systems.
• Ability to operate phones, calculator, computer equipment, fax machines, copiers and printers.
• Ability to work efficiently in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to be persistent, patient, creative, and flexible.
• Exceptional work ethic and commitment.
• Self-Motivated.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Highly developed problem solving and prioritization abilities.
• Strong Organizational and people skills.
• Sedentary work, exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.