Accounts Payable Lead

Sleek Events; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading experience marketing agency in Greater London is seeking an Accounts Payable Lead to oversee AP operations and ensure compliance with financial regulations. This role involves managing end-to-end AP processes, developing policies, and collaborating with senior management. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in accounts payable, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in AP automation tools. Additional benefits include flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

27 days holiday

Week-day birthdays off

Fitness membership

Company discounts and perks

Annual Company Offsite

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior Accounts Payable role, preferably leading a team.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience with AP automation and financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and lead the AP function ensuring best practice and compliance.
• Develop and implement AP policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with senior management to align on AP processes.

Skills

Leadership skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Professional certification (e.g., AAT, ACCA, CIMA, CPA)

Experience in Accounts Payable

Tools

Procim

Xero

Excel

Job description

Reporting to the Finance Director, our Accounts Payable Lead will be a detail-driven professional responsible for overseeing the Accounts Payable function, whilst also contributing where needed to our procurement activities. As a newly created position, this is an exciting opportunity to shape your day-to-day and make a meaningful impact. You'll help ensure the ethical, efficient, and high-quality management of Sleek's finances - critical to maintaining our position as a market-leading experience partner. The role is responsible for managing the end-to-end AP process, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with company policies and financial regulations. Our AP environment can be complex with high volume and a large proportion of foreign currency payments, suiting someone who thrives under pressure. As our volume of suppliers increases, this role will also ensure an effective and efficient onboarding process - it'll really allow you to own the supplier experience end to end. Extensive experience in AP operations, leadership skills, and a strategic mindset to drive process improvements and cost efficiencies will help our successful candidate succeed in this role.

Responsibilities – AP Operations

• Oversee and lead the AP function (including line management) ensuring best practice and security compliance within the team
• Develop and implement AP policies, procedures, and controls to optimise efficiency and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with senior management to align on AP processes with broader financial and business objectives.
• Ensuring adherence to timely and accurate purchase order, invoice, payment, and expense reimbursement policies
• Review, authorise, and oversee the processing of all accounts payable transactions, including vendor security checks and domestic/international payments, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely settlement.
• Monitor and manage cash flow related to payables, optimising payment schedules and working capital
• Check for international VAT compliance and reclaim opportunities
• Collaborate with other departments to resolve payment-related issues, maintaining strong relationships with vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure smooth payment operations
• Serve as the primary contact for supplier and vendor finance enquiries
• Assess and mitigate AP-related risks, escalating issues when necessary
• Provide hands‑on support with daily accounts payable activities—such as matching POs, invoices, and receipts
• Efficiently use software to manage and streamline AP processes (currently Procim and Xero)
• Drive automation and system enhancements to improve AP efficiency and accuracy.
• Reconcile Pleo expense card payments, ensuring users' expenses reporting and posting is up to date

Financial Reporting & Reconciliation

• Perform monthly reconciliations for AP records and resolve any discrepancies
• Prepare AP reports, analysis and aging summaries.
• Assist in month‑end and year‑end closing processes by providing accurate data and reports.
• Support the Finance Director and Project Accountant with ad hoc reporting and analysis related to AP.

Procurement Operations

• Conduct supplier due diligence and background checks to ensure compliance with internal standards and industry regulations
• Contribute to company‑wide supplier policy documentation e.g. supplier code of conduct
• Own end-to-end the new supplier onboarding process
• Manage supplier relationships
• Liaise with vendors and suppliers (related to business operations) to obtain quotes, negotiate prices, oversee contractual agreements
• Engage with legal advisors to resolve contract‑related queries or disputes as required
• Assess and mitigate procurement‑related risks, escalating issues when necessary
• Support on business‑related procurement projects as and when required e.g. selecting a new supplier with company-wide impact
• Contribute to periodic reviews of existing key suppliers

Compliance & Risk Management

• Proactively identify compliance and financial risks within procurement and AP operations. Report potential issues and recommend mitigation strategies to senior leadership
• Ensure all documentation is accurately filed and complies with internal policies and external regulations.
• Lead audit preparations and respond to queries related to AP.
• Stay updated on changes in financial regulations impacting AP operations, cascading information as necessary.
• Keep up to date on best practice in payment security and ensure their integration into company policies and procedures
• Monitor and enforce secure payment practices, including validation of bank details and segregation of duties, to prevent unauthorised payments and reduce exposure to fraud

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior Accounts Payable role, preferably having led a team and in an events, creative, or fast‑paced industry.
• Professional certification (e.g., AAT, ACCA, CIMA, CPA) is preferred.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements related to AP.
• Strong understanding of supplier contracts, terms and conditions, and procurement compliance.
• Experience with AP automation and financial systems - proficiency in Procim and Xero would be ideal but not essential.
• Strong Excel skills are a plus!
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills to address discrepancies and improve processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work independently when required.

About You

• A human‑lead leadership approach, promoting and creating an environment of shared high standards and accountability.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail especially when managing financial transactions.
• Gets a kick from following established protocols and optimising procedures.
• Ability to stay level‑headed and make sound decisions in the face of pressurised situations and when managing multiple deadlines.
• Enthusiasm towards the role, the company and your colleagues - embodies the values of the Sleek team.
• Naturally proactive and self‑motivated.
• A true team player who works collaboratively.
• Actively seeks and welcomes feedback.
• Passionate about supporting your peers to be better.
• Enthusiastically responds to every task, no matter if menial to help a colleague out.
• An ability to build long‑term, mutually beneficial relationships.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday (excluding UK public holidays). Additional days holiday for each year of service (capped at 3).
• Week‑day birthdays off.
• Last Friday of the month early finish (15:00).
• Standard Pension Plan.
• Fitness membership.
• Company discounts and perks.
• Company social events including weekly office drinks.
• Annual Company Offsite.
• Additional benefits after 1 year’s service including Private Health Care.
• Opportunity to attend overseas familiarisation trips on behalf of Sleek in luxury accommodation. Recent destinations include South Africa, Abu Dhabi and the South of France.

Sleek is a global, full‑service experience marketing agency, renowned for innovative strategies that elevate leading brands, ranking it among London's top 50 fastest‑growing companies.

Our philosophy is simple: People before Profit‑inside and out. We are on a mission to be the market‑leading agency, where excellence is the norm. Rooted in the belief that together we can be better, we are fostering a community where every individual, client, and team member thrives. With a strong commitment to equality, we proudly maintain an impressive colleague engagement score of 87%, positioning Sleek as a top UK employer. The hard work we have put into making Sleek a great place has been recognised by Campaign UK, naming us #26 on the Top 100 Places to work and as a Hyer Breakthrough Culture Award winner too.

We're honoured to partner with some of the world’s biggest brands, delivering experiences that range from large‑scale exhibitions to luxury high‑end events across a vast range of industries. But for us it’s not about the scale—it’s about the quality of the work and the people who make it possible: our team, clients, and suppliers. Together, we create unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impact.

Are you an individual who is striving to be the best version of yourself? Are you always curious and seeking innovative ideas that you want to turn into reality? Do you want to work in an environment that genuinely cares about you? Join us on our mission to create beautiful, engaging experiences. Communication is at the heart of our agency and that’s especially true when it comes to our team. We are proud to attract and retain the best people and we know it’s critical that individuals feel both challenged and supported with opportunities to progress. Sleek believes in a collective effort when it comes to decision making - we value everyone’s contribution and empower our colleagues to help shape us. No two days are the same and our client base and growth pattern means it can be intense at times. This is when the agility of the Sleek team really comes into its own. We know that the instant you move out of your comfort zone, it means you are growing and that’s a genuine opportunity to thrive. We work hard to ensure we are supporting one another to keep pushing boundaries.

We spend a large proportion of our lives at work and it should be a place that makes you feel good. Sleek is based in a modern office a short walk from Wimbledon where we share everything from playlists to weekend baking efforts. We genuinely have a lot of fun together. We regularly socialise after work including our Thursday early finish office drinks. In addition, Jen absolutely loves arranging social events for the team including weekends mini breaks, team away days, Christmas wreath making and more. You'll find Sleek to be a welcoming place for everyone, from those just starting out in their careers to well‑seasoned pros. Whether you are looking to grow and develop, or find work/life balance as a working parent, we will always support you as an individual within an environment where you can realise your true potential. Our learning and development initiatives are structured, meaning what we say when we invest in you. We anticipate and welcome candidates from all backgrounds and needs. If any reasonable adjustments would make the interview process more comfortable for you, just let us know.