Accounts Payable Manager - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Fora

Greater London

Hybrid

GBP 65,000 - 85,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Work from Anywhere

Gym membership discount

Pension scheme

Birthday off

Job summary

Fora in London is seeking an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to join the Finance team on a 12-month maternity cover. You will lead seven AP professionals, ensure timely invoice payments and strong controls, and drive process improvements and automation initiatives.

This role combines people leadership with transformation and operates 4 days in the office and 1 day working from anywhere, offering exposure to cross-functional stakeholders and significant impact on supplier governance and

Qualifications

Significant Accounts Payable experience in a high-volume environment.
Experience leading and developing an AP team.
Strong understanding of financial controls and reconciliations.
Experience with complex PO and invoice processing workflows.
ERP systems experience is essential; SAP ByDesign is desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a seven-person Accounts Payable team.
Oversee day-to-day AP processing and supplier payments.
Maintain strong financial controls and governance.
Drive process improvements, automation, and efficiency.
Partner with stakeholders and manage supplier relationships.

Skills

People leadership

Accounts Payable

Financial controls

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Process improvement

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

Tools

SAP Business ByDesign

Job description

At Fora, we're reimagining what the workplace can be.

We create inspiring, design led spaces that blend hospitality, community, and wellbeing so people can work productively, creatively, and happily.

From our first London workspace over 20 years ago, we've grown to 60+ locations across the UK supporting 30,000+ members and partnering with trailblazing brands like Ocado, The BritishFashion Council, and Pangaia

Backed by The Office Group, Blackstone, and Brockton Capital, we're growing fast and pioneering conscious design, sustainable construction, and workspaces that empower people to work in their own unique way.

At Fora, we're not just shaping workplaces - we're shaping the future of work.

About the Company

At Fora, we're reimagining what the workplace can be.

We create inspiring, design led spaces that blend hospitality, community, and wellbeing so people can work productively, creatively, and happily.

At Fora, we're not just shaping workplaces - we're shaping the future of work.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to join our Finance team on a 12-month maternity cover contract.

This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing the Accounts Payable function across the Group, ensuring suppliers are paid accurately and on time while maintaining strong financial controls and operational excellence.

You'll lead a team of seven, work closely with stakeholders across Finance and the wider business, and play an important role in driving process improvements, automation initiatives and continuous operational efficiencies. This role combines people leadership, operational ownership and transformation, offering the opportunity to make a visible impact across the organisation.

Please note this position is 4 days in the office and 1 day working from anywhere.

Why This Role Matters

Accounts Payable is a critical part of the business, ensuring strong supplier relationships, effective cashflow management and robust financial governance.

Success in this role means building a high-performing team, creating scalable processes that support business growth, and helping shape the future of Accounts Payable through continuous improvement and technology-driven change.

What You'll Be Doing

Leadership & Team Development

Lead, coach and develop a team of seven Accounts Payable professionals, creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Support performance management, objective setting and professional development across the team.
Ensure workloads and resources are effectively managed to meet business demands and service expectations.
Create an environment where knowledge sharing, collaboration and high standards are consistently encouraged.

Accounts Payable Operations

Take ownership of the day-to-day Accounts Payable function across the Group.
Oversee the accurate and timely processing and payment of supplier invoices.
Ensure supplier reconciliations, payment allocations and ledger maintenance are completed to a high standard.
Support month-end activities, including accruals, prepayments and spend analysis.

Financial Control & Governance

Maintain strong financial controls and approval processes across all Accounts Payable activities.
Ensure compliance with internal policies, procedures and audit requirements.
Monitor and resolve payment discrepancies, open items and supplier queries promptly.
Promote consistent purchase order compliance across the business to support financial accuracy and reporting.

Process Improvement & Transformation

Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy and service delivery within Accounts Payable.
Support the ongoing development of purchase order, invoice approval and payment processes.
Partner with transformation teams to enhance automation and maximise system capabilities.
Help drive the adoption of best practice processes across Finance and the wider business.

Stakeholder & Supplier Management

Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders across the organisation.
Act as an escalation point for complex payment issues and operational queries.
Support colleagues across the business through guidance, training and process expertise.
Deliver reporting and insights on payment activity, liabilities and cashflow trends to support decision-making.

Why Fora?

This is more than a traditional Accounts Payable role. You'll have the opportunity to lead a critical Finance function while helping shape its future through process improvement, automation and operational excellence.

You'll work closely with senior stakeholders, contribute to transformation initiatives and play a direct role in supporting the continued growth of the business.

About You

You're someone who enjoys balancing people leadership with operational excellence. You take ownership, build credibility with stakeholders and are motivated by improving processes and developing high-performing teams.

You bring a practical, solutions-focused approach, enjoy working collaboratively across the business and are comfortable operating in an environment where continuous improvement is actively encouraged.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

Significant Accounts Payable experience within a high-volume environment.
Previous experience leading and developing an Accounts Payable team.
Experience working with complex purchase order and invoice processing workflows.
Strong understanding of financial controls, reconciliations and compliance requirements.
ERP systems experience is essential.
Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with financial data and reporting.
Experience driving process improvement and operational efficiencies.
Ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

Desirable

SAP Business ByDesign experience.
Experience working within a multi-site organisation.
Property sector experience.
Degree-level education or equivalent.
Experience supporting finance transformation, automation or system enhancement initiatives.

Benefits

At Fora we energise and empower people to create their best work. We understand that in order to do that we need to support you every day, which is why we offer a range of benefits.

Please note this position is 4 days in the office and 1 day working from anywhere.

Work Your Way

Core working hours with flexibility- because life doesn't run 9-5
Two weeks ‘Work from Anywhere' - swap your desk for a beach, a mountain... anywhere that inspires you

Time to Rest & Recharge