Manager, Accounts Payable

Heidrick & Struggles; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Heidrick & Struggles is seeking a Manager, Accounts Payable to oversee global AP operations for 50+ entities across 30+ countries. You will manage vendor data, invoice processing, and payments while guiding a remote team of seven professionals in Chicago, London, Munich, and Tampa.

The role emphasizes controls, automation, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate has 7+ years in AP, strong supervisory experience, and proficiency with PeopleSoft, Workday, Concur, Salesforce, and Zip/Coupa.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of progressive accounts payable experience, including supervisory responsibilities.
• Experience leading remote teams and cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong knowledge of international AP operations, currencies, VAT, and regulatory frameworks.
• Track record of process improvements, automation, and internal controls in AP.
• Proficiency with AP/P2P software (PeopleSoft, Workday, Concur, etc.).
• Excellent verbal and written communication and ability to manage multiple workstreams.

Responsibilities

• Manage full-cycle AP processes including invoice handling, vendor management, and payment execution.
• Lead a remote team of seven AP professionals across Chicago, London, Munich, and Tampa.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and develop staff.
• Track AP KPIs and provide insights to senior leadership.
• Document and enforce policies to standardize execution and drive efficiency.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close for AP (accruals, reconciliations).
• Collaborate with Procurement, Treasury, Accounting to streamline workflows and implement automation.
• Lead ERP upgrades and AP system implementations (PeopleSoft, Concur, Workday, Salesforce).

Skills

Leadership

Excel advanced

Communication

Multi-entity experience

Automation

AI tools

AP/P2P processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

PeopleSoft Financials

Workday

Concur

Salesforce

Zip/Coupa

Job description

Heidrick & Struggles is the world's foremost advisor on executive leadership, driving superior client performance through premier human capital leadership advisory services. For more than 70 years, we've delivered value for our clients by leveraging unrivaled expertise to help organizations discover and enable outstanding leaders and teams. Learn more at www.heidrick.com

Job Description:

Who we Are

Heidrick & Struggles is a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior-level talent and consulting needs of the world's top organizations. In our role as trusted leadership advisors, we partner with our clients to develop future-ready leaders and organizations, bringing together our services and offerings in executive search, diversity and inclusion, leadership assessment and development, organization and team acceleration, culture shaping and on-demand, independent talent solutions. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 70 years ago. Today, the firm provides integrated talent and human capital solutions to help our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time.

Additional information on the firm can be found at www.heidrick.com.

The Role

The Manager, Accounts Payable, reports to the Senior Manager, Accounts Payable, and oversees global accounts payable operations for more than 50 entities across 30+ countries. This role is a proactive, highly organized partner on financial and accounting operations, including vendor master data management, invoice processing, payment execution, and query handling. The Manager brings sound prioritization, a strong sense of urgency, and consistent attention to accuracy, compliance, and service commitments. The role also partners with global offices, leadership teams, and corporate functions to strengthen controls, streamline workflows, and identify opportunities for automation, AI-enabled tools, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Manage full-cycle accounts payable processes, including invoice processing, vendor management, and payment execution.
• Lead a remote team of seven professionals, including AP supervisors and analysts based in Chicago, London, Munich, and Tampa, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Track AP key performance indicators and metrics, proactively prioritize trends, risks, and service issues, and deliver actionable insights to senior leadership.
• Create, document, and enforce policies, procedures, and best practices that improve organization, standardize execution, and support operational excellence.
• Monitor and review weekly pay cycles, triage urgent payment issues, and manage emergency payments with appropriate prioritization and control discipline.
• Maintain knowledge of widely accepted global payment methods, including SEPA and local direct debit, as well as banking infrastructure and international payment-processing trends.
• Adhere to GAAP, SOX, internal controls, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Prepare documentation for internal and external audits.
• Manage month-end and year-end closing activities related to accounts payable, including accruals and reconciliations.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships and resolve complex payment and dispute issues.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Treasury, Accounting, and other corporate teams to streamline workflows, reduce manual effort, and implement automation solutions that improve speed, accuracy, and scalability.
• Lead or support ERP and AP system upgrades, maintenance, and implementations, including systems such as PeopleSoft Financials, Concur, Workday, and Salesforce.
• Identify and address AP process and technology gaps, championing continuous improvement, automation, and practical AI-enabled solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of progressive accounts payable experience, including at least one year in a managerial or supervisory role.
• Proven leadership in team development, performance management, and coaching.
• Expertise in international AP operations, currencies, foreign exchange, VAT, and regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrated success implementing process improvements, automation, workflow streamlining, and internal controls in a complex AP environment.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with ad hoc requests, changing priorities, and time-sensitive deliverables that require strong judgment and urgency.
• Proficiency in AP/P2P software, such as PeopleSoft Financials, Workday, Concur, Salesforce, and Zip/Coupa.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to analyze and visualize financial data.
• Excellent communication, prioritization, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines, and stakeholder needs effectively.
• Experience working in a global or multi-entity organization.
• Familiarity with electronic payment platforms and e-invoicing tools.
• Eagerness to learn and apply emerging technologies, including automation and AI tools, to improve productivity, strengthen controls, and enhance the employee and vendor experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication