Director, Accounts Payable

Korn Ferry; New York (NY); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Korn Ferry partners with a New York City-based organization to recruit a Director of Accounts Payable who will lead the AP function and ensure payments are processed accurately, efficiently, and with strong controls. Reporting to the Controller, this role oversees a high‑volume AP environment and drives end-to-end procure‑to‑pay optimization.

The Director will modernize AP operations through process improvements and automation, building a scalable, compliant platform while developing the AP team

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance.
• 10+ years of progressive AP/Accounting/Finance experience in a high-volume environment.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, preferably leading managers or larger AP teams.
• Experience leading centralized AP/shared-services in large/complex organizations.
• Demonstrated success with AP transformation, process improvement, automation, and financial-system initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, operations, controls, and performance of the Accounts Payable function.
• Develop and execute an AP transformation roadmap focused on automation, scalability, efficiency, and stakeholder service.
• Improve procure-to-pay processes including vendor onboarding, invoice processing, approvals, matching, payments, reconciliations, and exception management.
• Oversee payment cycles, month-end activities, accrual support, tax reporting, audit requests, and fraud-prevention controls.
• Establish meaningful KPIs and use data to improve processing time, accuracy, productivity, and service levels.
• Partner cross-functionally to optimize AP technologies, workflows, policies, and controls.
• Lead, coach, and develop AP managers and the broader team.

Skills

AP leadership

Automation / transformation

Procure-to-pay

Financial analysis

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

We are partnering with a New York City-based organization seeking a Director of Accounts Payable. Reporting to the Controller, this leader will oversee the company's Accounts Payable function and ensure payment obligations are processed accurately, efficiently, and with strong financial controls.

The Director will modernize AP operations by improving processes, expanding automation, optimizing systems, and strengthening the end-to-end procure-to-pay model. This role will also lead and develop the AP team while partnering closely with Accounting, Finance, Procurement, Operations, IT, and other business leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, operations, controls, and performance of the Accounts Payable function.
• Develop and execute an AP transformation roadmap focused on automation, scalability, efficiency, and stakeholder service.
• Improve procure-to-pay processes, including vendor onboarding, invoice processing, approvals, matching, payments, reconciliations, and exception management.
• Oversee payment cycles, month-end activities, accrual support, tax reporting, audit requests, and fraud-prevention controls.
• Establish meaningful KPIs and use data to improve processing time, accuracy, productivity, and service levels.
• Partner cross-functionally to optimize AP technologies, workflows, policies, and controls.
• Lead, coach, and develop AP managers and the broader team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive AP, Accounting, Finance, or related experience in a high-volume environment.
• 5+ years of people-leadership experience, preferably leading managers or larger AP teams.
• Experience leading a centralized AP or shared-services function within a large or complex organization.
• Demonstrated success with AP transformation, process improvement, automation, and financial-system initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of procure-to-pay processes, internal controls, vendor management, and accounting principles.
• Advanced Excel, data-analysis, project-management, and change-management skills.
• Experience in a high-volume, multi-location operating environment is preferred.