Accounts Payable Manager

Network Rail; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading rail infrastructure organization as an Accounts Payable Manager to oversee a dedicated team and refine financial operations. This pivotal role requires strong leadership, extensive Accounts Payable experience, and a passion for continuous improvement to support network efficiency. The position offers a competitive salary range and a commitment to employee well-being and inclusivity.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Accounts Payables management.
• Knowledge of regulatory environments and contract variations.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Accounts Payable function and team of 30.
• Lead improvements in the payment processing technology.
• Ensure adherence to governance and compliance standards.

Skills

Team Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Customer Engagement

Process Management

Continuous Improvement

Communication

Education

Accounting Qualification (AAT, ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or equivalent experience

Tools

Oracle E-Business Suite

Job description

About Network Rail

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. Click here to learn more.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Brief Description

About Shared Services

Our Shared Services team deliver specialist processes that have a direct impact on the performance of Network Rail, our customers and suppliers. These services include payroll, recruitment and onboarding, payables, receivables, financial accounting, reporting, controls and compliance, and helpdesk support.

What will you be doing?

As the Accounts Payable manager within Shared Services, you will manage the full end to end Accounts Payable function for Network Rail circa 30 people, including Payables and Call Off Order Management (COOM), Procure to Pay and payments. You will seek to maximise the accounts payable technology to enhance the payment to suppliers by working closely with counterparts within Network Rail. You will also deliver all processes in line with Network Rail standards and change governance.

About the role (External)

Main Responsibilities

1. Direct and lead a team of experienced Accounts Payable/Payments Managers to oversee administrators and analysts responsible for periodic processing of all invoices, and payments including both BACs and manual payments within deadlines.

2. Provide a professional, consistent, and effective Accounts Payable service for management, maintenance and operational employees using Oracle E-business system and Horizon.

3. Support Head of Professional Services to lead and deliver on strategic continuous improvement projects and automation projects within Accounts Payables Shared Services in accordance with Network Rail and Route Services governance processes and standards.

4. Creating, maintaining, and driving credible plans along with pre-emptive and skilled risk management to avoid issues. Drive efficiencies and effectiveness, taking appropriate action to resolve issues and escalate as appropriate.

5. Deliver smooth implementation of key periodic invoicing activity, PO management and payments, and reconciliation as per the Network Rail Shared Services calendar.

6. Operate within the pre-agreed control framework; embed a control mind set amongst all stakeholders to reduce risk and control costs. Being the lead point of contact for internal and external audit continually reviewing the framework for adherence,

7. Develop and continually improve relations with key stakeholders including group taxation, Property finance, financial accounting, Network Rail Shared Service teams and Technical Operations to define and embed a supplier centric culture where all team members consider the impact on suppliers and their future requirements.

8. Maintain and manage supplier complex queries and escalations in respect of accounts payables related data within the agreed Service Level Agreements (SLA's) and Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

Essential

• Knowledge and experience of leading a large team.

• Extensive experience in Accounts Payables

• Significant experience of managing teams in a complex regulatory environment managing multi contract variations

• Exceptional customer focus/engagement/stakeholder management skills

• Proven influencing, networking, and stakeholder management skills at senior management level.

• Experience of delivery of process management and control governance

• Experience of delivering continuous improvement programmes

• Excellent communication skills

Desirable

• Accounting Qualification (AAT, ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or qualified by experience

• ORACLE eBusiness Suite experience or similar

How to apply (External)

Salary: £55,596- £65,966 per annum
Closing date: 04/07/2025 . - Late applications will not be accepted.

Click apply now to apply.

This role requires working in the office 3 days a week

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****