Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Heidrick & Struggles is a global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions firm. The Accounts Payable Manager will oversee global accounts payable operations across multiple entities and countries, leading a remote team while managing invoice processing, vendor management, payments, controls, audits, and closing activities. The role will also drive process improvements, automation, AI-enabled solutions, and system upgrades in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Responsibilities
- Manage full-cycle accounts payable processes, including invoice processing, vendor management, and payment execution
- Lead a remote team of 7 professionals, including AP supervisors, and analysts, with presence in Chicago, London, Munich, and Tampa, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability
- Conduct regular performance reviews and provide opportunities for professional growth and development
- Track AP key performance indicators and metrics, proactively prioritizing trends, risks, and service issues that require urgent attention and delivering actionable insights to senior leadership
- Create, document, and enforce policies, procedures, and best practices to improve organization, standardize execution, and support operational excellence
- Monitor and review weekly pay cycles, quickly triage urgent payment issues, and manage emergency payments with appropriate prioritization and control discipline
- Keep up with widely accepted global payment forms, such as SEPA and local direct debit, and stay abreast of banking infrastructure and international payment processing trends
- Adhere to GAAP, SOX, internal controls, and regulatory requirements
- Prepare and provide documentation ready 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 relationships with vendors 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, or implementations. (e.g., PeopleSoft Financials, Concur, Workday, Salesforce)
- Identify and address AP process and technology gaps, championing continuous improvement, automation, and practical AI-enabled solutions to enhance current processes
Skills
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
- 7+ years of progressive accounts payable experience, including 1+ years in a managerial or supervisory role
- Proven leadership in team development, performance management, and coaching
- Expertise in international AP operations, international currencies, FX, VAT, and regulatory frameworks
- Demonstrated success implementing process improvements, automation, workflow streamlining, and internal controls in a complex AP environment
- Motivated by and thrives in a fast-paced environment with frequent ad hoc requests, changing priorities, and time-sensitive deliverables requiring strong judgment and urgency
- Proficiency in AP/P2P software (e.g., PeopleSoft Financials, Workday, Concur, Salesforce, Zip/Coupa)
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills: 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 e-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 skills
- Strong attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
- Customer Orientation: Demonstrates knowledge and insights about internal and external customers and acts to fulfill their business needs and exceed their expectations
- Analytical thinking: Demonstrates the ability to think deeply and quantitatively about business problems, breaking down problems and presenting solutions while evaluating the pros and cons of each option
- Self-confidence and determination: Demonstrates strong, realistic confidence in oneself in challenging situations and maintains a calm focus on results over time
- Managing innovation: Develops and applies creative solutions to business problems, anticipating situations and needs, and finding flexible answers to new situations; champions innovation to improve business performance
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