Director, Finance

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September and Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility . www.ChurchillDowns.com.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Finance leads day-to-day financial operations, including accounting, financial analysis, reporting, budgeting and forecasting, internal controls, regulatory compliance, and capital planning. This position supports the Vice President of Finance in the overall management of the Finance department, translates financial results into actionable business insights, partners with operating leaders to support decision-making, and ensures compliance with company policies and applicable racing, gaming, federal, and state requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

FINANCIAL OPERATIONS & REPORTING

- Manage and develop day-to-day accounting, financial planning and analysis, and reporting activities for the property.

- Coordinate the monthly accounting close cycle at the property level, ensuring timely reconciliations, accruals, and variance explanations.

- Coordinate financial reporting on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

- Establish, maintain, and monitor internal controls to support data integrity and safeguard assets.

BUDGETING, FORECASTING & FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

- Manage the annual budget and monthly forecast processes.

- Analyze operating results, key performance indicators, and variances to budget and forecast.

- Develop financial models and ROI analyses and recommend actions to improve profitability, cash flow, and capital efficiency.

- Partner with property department leaders to provide financial support and analysis for new initiatives.

CAPITAL PLANNING & BUSINESS SUPPORT

- Manage maintenance and growth capital planning in partnership with Purchasing, Finance, and property leaders.

- Support the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper and related functions, as necessary.

- Provide financial analysis and decision support to property leadership to inform business and operational decisions.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & CONTROLS

- Coordinate regulatory reporting, audits, and compliance activities with Corporate Finance, external auditors, and applicable racing, gaming, state, and federal authorities.

- Monitor relevant industry, accounting, and regulatory developments and assess potential business impact.

- Ensure financial activities comply with company policies and applicable regulatory requirements.

PROCESS IMPROVEMENT

- Drive continuous improvement in finance processes, reporting, systems, and data quality to increase efficiency and business insight.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

REGULATORY

- Ability to obtain and maintain a Kentucky racing license and successfully complete all applicable background check requirements.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.

- CPA or master’s degree preferred.

- Minimum of seven years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, or financial analysis required.

- Pari-mutuel gaming or hospitality experience preferred.

- Demonstrated experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, KPI reporting, and variance analysis.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

- Thorough knowledge of U.S. GAAP, general ledger accounting, financial close processes, and internal controls.

- Excellent analytical, financial, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.

- Strong demonstrated management and leadership skills, including the ability to lead a diverse team.

- Excellent attention to detail with strong organizational and project management skills.

- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with senior and executive management.

- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.

- Strong work ethic, professional demeanor, and ability to cultivate effective working relationships throughout the organization.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

- Extended periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, including regular use of a keyboard and mouse and prolonged viewing of a computer screen.

- Ability to manipulate paperwork, including filing, sorting, organizing, data entry, and document preparation.

- Regularly required to move within the office environment to attend meetings, use office equipment, and interact with colleagues.

- Occasionally required to lift and/or move office supplies, paperwork, or other materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

- Requires speaking and listening to colleagues, clients, and others in person, over the phone, or via video conferencing.

- Work is primarily performed in a climate-controlled office environment with moderate noise levels and artificial lighting, including fluorescent or LED lighting.

- Role is onsite five days a week at the Louisville, KY Corporate Office and/or Churchill Downs Racetrack.

- Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required during racing meets, Derby season, and other special events.

This work is performed primarily in a business office setting within a sports and entertainment facility. Events often take place outside of traditional business hours, on weekends, and on holidays. Some areas of the facility may be noisy and subject to changing weather conditions. Churchill Downs Racetrack spans 175 acres and more than 1.5 million square feet under roof with additional entertainment facilities not protected from weather conditions.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The above-noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.