Finance Officer (Accounts Payable

Hightown Housing Association; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days' annual leave

Hybrid working

Pension & life assurance (3× salary)

Free on-site gym

Employee wellbeing services

Discounts (retail, gym, restaurant,cin

Job summary

Hightown Housing Association is recruiting an Interim Senior Finance Officer (Accounts Payable) to lead our AP team during a period of change and system transformation. You will oversee supplier payments, expenses and controls while driving improvements across our finance operations.

You will manage a team of Finance Assistants and a Senior Finance Assistant, partnering with senior finance colleagues to maintain service continuity and prepare for future ways of working.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an Accounts Payable or Financial Operations team.
• Strong knowledge of Accounts Payable processes and financial controls.
• Experience working with integrated finance systems.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive approach to process improvement and problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Accounts Payable team to ensure smooth supplier payments and expenses.
• Maintain strong financial controls and support continuous improvement across finance operations.
• Collaborate with senior finance colleagues to ensure service continuity during change.
• Provide guidance to Finance Assistants and Senior Finance Assistant and develop the team.

Skills

Accounts Payable leadership

AP processes

Finance systems

Stakeholder communication

Process improvement

Tools

ERP system

Job description

At Hightown Housing Association, we are looking for an Interim Senior Finance Officer (Accounts Payable) to lead our Accounts Payable team during an exciting period of change and system transformation. You will play a key role in ensuring the smooth delivery of supplier payments, expenses, and financial controls while supporting continuous improvement across our finance operations. Leading a team of Finance Assistants and a Senior Finance Assistant, you will bring strong operational expertise, excellent people management skills, and experience working within a high-volume finance environment. You will work closely with senior finance colleagues to maintain service continuity and help prepare the team for future ways of working.

Are you an experienced finance professional with a strong background in Accounts Payable and team leadership? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can make an immediate impact?,

• Experience leading an Accounts Payable or Financial Operations team
• Strong knowledge of Accounts Payable processes and financial controls
• Experience working with integrated finance systems
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive approach to process improvement and problem-solving

  You will be joining an organisation that manages over 9,000 homes and supports communities across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. We are committed to investing in our people and creating a culture where colleagues can thrive while making a genuine difference to people's lives.

We offer:

• Professional development and sector-relevant training opportunities
• 33 days' annual leave including Bank Holidays (pro-rata)
• Competitive salary of £45,000 for a 35-hour week
• Monthly attendance bonus
• Hybrid working (minimum 2 days in the office)
• Workplace pension & life assurance (3× salary)
• Retail, gym, restaurant and cinema discounts
• Employee wellbeing services
• Free on-site gym access

We will be shortlisting and interviewing on an ongoing basis and may close the vacancy early. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident Employer.