Accounts Payable Manager

A&O Shearman; Carrickfergus; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A&O Shearman in Belfast invites applications for a Working Capital Manager to oversee daily finance operations including billing, allocations and collections. You will lead a high-performing team and partner with Senior management to shape strategy and continuous improvement in working capital processes.

The role focuses on driving efficiency, implementing automation, and delivering data-driven insights while maintaining strong governance and stakeholder engagement across global offices.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large finance or working capital teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management.
• Experience in professional services working capital processes.
• Ability to drive automation and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations: billing, cash allocation and collections.
• Coach a 15-20 person team including two direct reports.
• Collaborate on strategic roadmap for working capital transformation.
• Define and monitor KPIs and ensure quality compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Financial analysis

Process improvement

Stakeholder management

Team coaching

Financial systems

Data analytics tools

Tools

Financial systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Working Capital Manager to join our Finance team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast Office.

Finance team - Belfast

The Belfast Finance department provides services to the A&O Shearman network of offices covering management and financial accounting & reporting, revenue control, credit control, accounts payable and tax. Main offices currently served are London, Belfast, US, South Africa, Dubai, Israel, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany.

There is a strong client service ethic, and we work to Service Level Agreements, targets and deadlines to deliver in line with client expectations.

What you will do

The Working Capital Manager plays a pivotal role in supporting the Senior Working Capital Manager to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across the firm's working capital function. The Working Capital Manager is responsible for overseeing daily operations-spanning billing, cash allocation and collections - ensuring timely execution and adherence to best-in-class standards. Leading a high-performing team of 15-20 professionals, including two direct reports, this role fosters a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and accountability.

Leadership & People Development

• Provide visionary leadership to a high-performing Working Capital team, fostering excellence and continuous growth.
• Communicate a compelling vision and shared purpose that motivates the team to deliver outstanding results aligned with the firm's strategic objectives.
• Cultivate an inclusive, high-performance culture where individuals feel empowered, heard, trusted, accountable for their contributions, sense of belonging and equipped to excel.
• Lead by example with strong self-awareness-embracing personal development and modelling a commitment to continuous learning.
• Actively coach and mentor team members, promoting innovation, ownership, and professional growth.

Operational Excellence & Strategic Support

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Working Capital Manager to implement initiatives that strengthen cash flow, improve operational efficiency, and enhance overall performance.
• Support the execution of the strategic roadmap for working capital transformation, aligning with firm-wide objectives.

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Contribution

• Identify and drive opportunities for automation, standardisation, and process optimisation across systems and workflows.
• Contribute to projects that promote innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate agility in adapting to change, applying sound judgment and proactive problem-solving to evolving business needs.

Process Improvement, KPI's & Quality Assurance

• Champion technology enablement and process enhancements to streamline operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and deliver measurable results.
• Define, track, and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress, inform decision-making, and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality outputs that meet or exceed internal and client expectations, while maintaining full compliance with firm policies and standards.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong relationships with global stakeholders, including Partners, Finance Business Partners, and client teams.
• Communicate with clarity and confidence, providing insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Collaborate across global finance functions to share best practices and deliver a seamless working capital strategy.

What you will have

• Proven experience leading large, high-performing finance or working capital teams in a professional services or complex business environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and align teams around a shared vision.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build trust and influence across global stakeholder groups.
• Commercially astute, with strong analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement capabilities.
• High degree of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and integrity.
• Commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and developing others.
• Experience with legal or professional services working capital processes (billing, WIP, collections) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with financial systems and data tools; able to interpret and leverage data for decision-making and insight generation.

Personal Attributes

• Visionary leader who inspires and unites people behind a common purpose.
• Self-aware, open to feedback, and committed to personal and professional growth.
• Empowers others through trust, transparency, and shared accountability.
• Collaborative and inclusive, fostering strong global relationships and cross-functional cooperation.
• Flexible, resilient, and solutions-oriented - able to navigate complexity and change with confidence.
• Passionate about excellence, innovation, and delivering meaningful impact.

What we can offer you

To learn more about the culture and benefits available at A&O Shearman, please visit: Culture and benefits A&O Shearman careers

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our commitment to direct sourcing here .