Accounts Payable Team Leader

Destination Sport; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Refer a friend £600 bonus

Generous holiday entitlement

Day off for your birthday

Staff Awards

Hotel and airline discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Destination Sport Group is a global leader in sports travel and financial services, supporting over 150 sporting organisations and a 400+ staff base. We seek a Finance Operations leader to drive efficient accounts payable, banking activities and strong financial controls across multiple entities.

You will lead a high-performing team, partner with stakeholders, and deliver month-end processes while identifying automation opportunities to improve working capital and financial performance.

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent finance qualification.
• Experience leading Finance Operations or transactional finance teams.
• Strong knowledge of accounts payable, banking, controls and month-end processes.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance Operations team to deliver accounts payable, banking and operating finance activities.
• Maintain strong financial controls, support working capital and audit requirements.
• Drive process improvements and automation opportunities.
• Build relationships with suppliers and stakeholders across the business.
• Monitor KPIs and drive improvements in service delivery and financial performance.

Skills

Accounts payable management

Leadership

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Tools

ERP systems

Finance reporting software

Job description

• Refer a friend for £600 bonus which is unlimited!
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Day off for your birthday
• Staff Awards
• Hotel and airline discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Destination Sport Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees

Overview And What We Offer

• Mon - Friday 37.5hrs
• Location - Manchester
• Refer a friend for £600 bonus which is unlimited!
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Day off for your birthday
• Staff Awards
• Hotel and airline discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Destination Sport Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees

Who We Are And What We Do

Destination Sport is a global leader in sports travel, trusted by 150+ sporting organisations worldwide. We deliver a range of specialist services via our portfolio of market-leading brands, including elite travel management, fan experiences, mass participation experiences and youth tours. We’re a multi-award-winning business with a global team of 400+ staff positioned across four continents, who handle over 100,000 journeys each year at over 2,800 sporting events.

Destination Sport Group is part of The Portman Travel Group click here to view our LinkedIn Careers Page and includes Brighter Event, Elegant Resorts, If Only and Clarity Business Travel.

Role Purpose

Lead the Finance Operations team to deliver efficient and accurate accounts payable, banking and operational finance activities. You will ensure strong financial controls, support working capital performance, drive process improvements, and develop a high-performing team while partnering with stakeholders across the business to support operational and financial objectives.

Operational - Key Tasks

• Lead and develop the Finance Operations team, driving performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the Accounts Payable function, ensuring supplier invoices and payments are processed accurately and on time.
• Manage banking activities, including bank accounts, reconciliations, cash receipts and payment controls.
• Deliver month-end operational finance activities, including balance sheet reconciliations and reporting support.
• Maintain strong financial controls and support audit requirements, risk management and compliance activities.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and stakeholders across the business.
• Identify and implement process improvements, automation opportunities and operational efficiencies.
• Support business change projects and provide operational finance expertise to support wider business objectives.
• Monitor departmental KPIs and drive improvements in service delivery and financial performance.

Skills And Experience

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent finance experience.
• Experience in a Finance Operations, Transactional Finance or similar leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of accounts payable, banking, financial controls and month-end processes.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop high-performing finance teams.
• Experience improving processes, driving efficiencies and supporting automation initiatives.
• Background in fast-paced, multi-entity or complex business environments.
• Good understanding of working capital, cash flow and operational finance performance.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using finance and reporting systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience supporting business change, transformation projects and system implementations.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in a high-growth, private equity-backed, acquisitive or shared services environment is beneficial.
• Knowledge of process automation, workflow tools and continuous improvement practices.