Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company, with a global portfolio exceeding $20 billion in assets and generating over $5 billion in annual revenue. Present in key U.S. markets and expanding across Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, Highgate stands out for its innovation, proprietary revenue management tools, and experienced executive team. In Portugal, Highgate manages 14 hotel properties with a strong focus on excellence, transparency, and employee development, fostering a culture of autonomy and professional growth.
Want to be part of our team?
We are looking for a results-driven Director of IT with strong expertise in SAP ERP Cloud to lead and optimize financial systems across our European hotel portfolio. This strategic role focuses on aligning technology with business goals, driving digital transformation, and managing large-scale SAP integrations. The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge of SAP Finance and Procurement, strong leadership in multinational environments, and experience with European accounting and tax regulations as well as hospitality-specific reporting. Multilingual and multi-currency capabilities are essential to support our diverse regional operations.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of SAP Financial applications across the hospitality portfolio in Europe.
* Ensure compliance with country-specific accounting, VAT, tax, and regulatory requirements throughout the region.
* Manage integration between SAP and external systems such as POS, booking engines, and loyalty platforms.
* Oversee SAP Cloud Platform Integration (CPI) to ensure seamless data flow and system interoperability.
* Deliver customized financial and operational reporting for hotel owners and management companies, including GAAP/IFRS-compliant statements.
* Ensure accurate handling of multi-currency transactions and consolidated reporting across multiple countries.
* Translate hospitality-specific financial and operational needs into scalable SAP workflows and reporting solutions.
* Identify opportunities to enhance automation, streamline financial processes, and align technology initiatives with corporate strategy.
* Monitor and assess IT infrastructure performance and recommend upgrades to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
* Define and enforce IT security, data privacy, and cybersecurity protocols in compliance with GDPR and other European regulations.
* Implement and audit user access controls within SAP and related financial systems.
* Develop, test, and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
* Manage internal IT teams and outsourced service providers, ensuring alignment with business goals.
* Define and monitor Help Desk SLAs, review ticket resolution performance, and drive service improvements.
* Create and manage IT budgets related to financial systems, including planning for hardware and software lifecycle management.
Requirements:
* Education: Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Finance, Accounting, or a related field; Master’s degree or certifications (e.g., SAP S/4HANA Cloud, PMP) preferred.
* Experience: Minimum of 10 years in IT leadership roles, with at least 8 years focused on SAP financial systems in a multinational context, preferably within hospitality.
* SAP Expertise: In-depth knowledge of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, financial configuration, integration, and best practices.
* Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of European accounting principles, VAT, tax compliance, and reporting standards.
* Systems Integration: Proven ability to integrate SAP with hotel-specific platforms such as PMS, POS, and booking systems.
* Reporting Skills: Experience in developing financial and performance reports for hotel ownership and asset management.
* Multi-Currency Expertise: Demonstrated ability to manage multi-currency and multi-country financial environments.
* Languages: Fluency in English is required; proficiency in additional European languages (e.g., German, French, Spanish) is highly desirable.
* Leadership: Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with experience managing cross-functional and remote teams.
* Communication: Ability to translate complex technical solutions for non-technical stakeholders.
* Attributes: Hands-on mindset, strong project management capabilities, and a proactive, business-oriented approach.
* Preferred: Track record of successful ERP rollouts, experience navigating complex European regulatory environments, and a strong focus on operational excellence.
We Offer:
* A positive work environment and integration into a young, dynamic team;
* Competitive salary;
* Health insurance;
* Additional vacation days based on attendance;
* Benefits within Highgate Hotels;
* Career development and progression opportunities.
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