Accounts Payable Manager - maternity cover

cobaltrecruitment; West End; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule (4 days in office

One day remote option

Job summary

Cobalt is working with an established workspace and property business to appoint an Accounts Payable Manager on a maternity-cover fixed-term contract. Based in London, the role leads a seven-strong AP team and reports to the Finance Director.

The role focuses on day-to-day AP operations, multi-site ownership, and driving improvements across controls, processes and automation. Hybrid working: four days in the office, one day flexible.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an AP team in a high-volume environment.
• Proven ability to coach and develop AP staff.
• Strong knowledge of PO processes and systems.
• Experience using SAP in an AP context.
• Advanced Excel for analysis and reporting.
• Experience maintaining financial controls and resolving supplier issues.
• Ability to communicate with senior stakeholders across functions.
• Experience in a multi-site environment or the property sector would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Accounts Payable team of seven, including performance management.
• Own a high-volume AP function across multiple companies.
• Oversee invoice processing and supplier payments for accuracy and timeliness.
• Manage a complex PO environment and drive process improvements.
• Oversee rent and service charge payments across the portfolio.
• Ensure supplier reconciliations, open items and unallocated payments are managed.
• Support month-end activities: accruals, prepayments, spend analysis and cash flow reporting.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to improve adherence to AP processes and drive automation.

Skills

People management

AP operations

High-volume AP

Stakeholder communication

Analytical skills

Planning

Multi-site

Process improvement

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

London | £45,000 - £55,000 + bonus | Fixed-term contract | Four days in the office, one day working from anywhere

Cobalt is working with an established workspace and property business to appoint an Accounts Payable Manager on a maternity-cover fixed-term contract.

This is an opportunity to lead a sizeable Accounts Payable team within a multi-site organisation, taking ownership of a high-volume AP function while working closely with senior stakeholders. The role combines day-to-day leadership with the opportunity to improve processes, controls and automation across the function.

The organisation

Our client operates a growing portfolio of locations across the UK and works with a broad range of businesses.

The organisation places an emphasis on the experience it creates for its customers and has continued to invest in its operations, technology and processes as the business has grown.

Based at its central London office, the Accounts Payable Manager will work four days in the office, with one day working from anywhere.

The role and responsibilities

The Accounts Payable Manager will take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the Accounts Payable function and lead a team of seven.

Reporting initially to the Finance Director and subsequently to the Head of AP, AR and Billing, you will have regular exposure to the senior leadership team and stakeholders across the organisation.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, coaching and developing the Accounts Payable team, including performance management and resource planning.
• Taking ownership of a high-volume AP function across multiple companies.
• Overseeing invoice processing and supplier payments, ensuring transactions are accurate and completed on time.
• Managing a complex purchase order environment and identifying practical improvements to processes, controls and system usage.
• Overseeing quarterly rent and service charge payments across the property portfolio.
• Ensuring supplier reconciliations, open items and unallocated payments are managed effectively.
• Supporting month-end activity, including accruals, prepayments, spend analysis and cash flow reporting.
• Working with senior stakeholders and teams across the organisation to improve adherence to purchase order and Accounts Payable processes.
• Identifying opportunities to improve automation and reduce manual activity within the AP function.
• Maintaining appropriate internal controls and audit trails, while supporting external auditors when required.

The skills and experience needed

This role will suit an experienced Accounts Payable Manager who combines hands-on AP knowledge with established people management experience.

You will need:

• Strong working knowledge of Accounts Payable operations within a high-volume environment.
• People management experience, with the ability to lead, coach and develop an established AP team.
• Strong working knowledge of complex purchase order processes and systems.
• Working knowledge of SAP within an Accounts Payable environment.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for analysis and financial reporting.
• Experience of maintaining financial controls and resolving payment or supplier issues.
• The ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders and colleagues across different functions.
• Strong analytical, planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience within a multi-site organisation or the property sector would be advantageous.

This is an opportunity for an Accounts Payable Manager to take ownership of an established function while contributing to wider improvements across systems, processes and controls.

Due to the volume of applications received, if you don't hear back from us, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

If you require any adjustments or additional support during the recruitment process for any reason whatsoever, please let your Cobalt consultant know.