Head of Finance Operations (Accounts Payable)

Zodiac Maritime Ltd; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Head of Finance Operations to lead their Accounts Payable team during an exciting finance transformation. This role involves managing high-volume payments, ensuring compliance, and optimizing processes with the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in finance operations, strong team management skills, and a hands-on approach to problem-solving. Join a collaborative environment where your expertise will drive significant improvements and support the finance team's success.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in finance operations or accounts payable management.
• Experience in managing high-volume payments in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage high-volume payments and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Partner with stakeholders to optimize processes during the transformation.

Skills

Team Management

Change Management

Financial Reporting

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Degree in Finance or Accounting

Professional Finance Qualification (e.g., ACCA, CIMA)

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Power BI

Job description

Head of Finance Operations (Accounts Payable)

The role

Position: Head of Finance Operations (Accounts Payable)

Contract type: Fixed term assignment of 12 - 18 months

Reporting to: Director of Finance

Location: London

Overview of role

This is an exciting time to join the finance team at Zodiac Maritime, which is in the mature stages of a finance transformation programme, including the upcoming decommissioning of their existing finance ERP system and the implementation of MS Dynamics 365 (Finance and Operations).

The Director of Finance leads this transformation. Zodiac is seeking a technically strong and experienced Head of Finance Operations (Accounts Payable) to support the Director and the Accounts Payable Manager in team management and the efficient processing of high-volume, high-value payments across jurisdictions, including Treasury and Sales and Purchase payments, as well as overseeing crew payroll activities.

As part of the Finance Leadership team, and leveraging your extensive financial systems experience, you will partner with the Accounts Payable Manager and Finance Systems Lead to optimize procure-to-pay and transactional processes during the transformation.

The successful candidate will build credibility through a hands-on, collaborative approach, combining technical and financial systems expertise.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Understanding Zodiac's shipping business and accounting challenges to add immediate value.
2. Supporting the Director in managing the team and processing high-volume payments, including treasury, sales, purchase, and crew payroll.
3. Ensuring compliance with regulatory and sanctions related to payments.
4. Maintaining data accuracy for accounts payable and general ledger, and ensuring timely reporting.
5. Meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality outputs during the transformation.
6. Partnering with stakeholders to define requirements for new software, design best practices, and prepare the A/P function for implementation.
7. Identifying system or process weaknesses post-implementation and proposing solutions.
8. Providing transparent leadership and supporting team development.
9. Upholding professional standards and confidentiality.
10. Ensuring high standards of quality, performance, and productivity.
11. Supporting wider finance team needs as required.

Skills profile

Relevant experience & education

• Proven track record as a hands-on Head of Finance Operations or Accounts Payable Manager in organizations with significant revenues, preferably in maritime or transport sectors.
• Extensive experience managing high-volume, high-value payments in fast-paced environments.
• Strong team management and development skills, with experience navigating change.
• Ability to work within a diverse, flat organization and make effective decisions under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging technical and non-technical stakeholders and preparing reports for executive audiences.
• Experience in change management and system implementations; familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics 365 / AX or similar ERP systems is required.
• Experience with financial reporting and Business Intelligence tools like Power BI.