Accounts Payable Manager

University of East London

Founded in 1898, we at the University of East London (UEL) are proud to change lives through education. Our goal is to advance industry 5.0 careers-first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future. We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a balanced, inclusive, and green future.

But we can't achieve this goal alone. We need forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you to join our community and help us craft our future. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share your passion for creating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

About Us

The Finance Department at the University of East London plays a key role in managing the University's financial resources to ensure stability, efficiency, and strategic investment in its future, aligned with Vision 2028. We provide a comprehensive range of financial services, including budgeting, financial and tax planning, compliance, and advisory support, ensuring the University operates smoothly. Our responsibilities also include ensuring our service providers and suppliers are paid in a timely manner and that our accounts payable function follows processes that are in line with our internal control policies. We work proactively with Schools, Services, staff, and students to offer financial guidance, maintain compliance, and drive value for money across all operations.

About the Job

We are looking for someone that will manage a team of three Accounts Payable Officers who are responsible for ensuring that the University’s centralised accounts payable function operates efficiently. The role is a 9 -12 month Fixed Term Contract working with the Accounts Payable team who are responsible for the end-to-end process of paying service providers and suppliers in a timely manner and achieving quality targets.  We have recently implemented a new finance system (Unit4 ERPx) and are stabilising processes and using this as a platform for a major drive on process compliance.

About You

You are proactive, result-focused, innovative, attention to detail individual with strong leadership, analytical, problem-solving and communication skills. You have experience, knowledge, skills and are passionate, and committed to delivering high-quality solutions that improve operational efficiency.

You will also bring:

• Previous experience using ERP systems and being a part of transformation projects.
• Experience in implementing processes to improve the efficiency of the accounts payable function.
• Collaboration across various departments and working with internal and external stakeholders to drive process compliance.
• Extensive experience in accounts payable including process and metric monitoring.
• Experience in financial month and year-end processes, analysing large volumes of data and performing complex reconciliations and related checks.
• Experience in leading, managing and mentoring an accounts payable team in a large organisation.

Benefits Package

Here at UEL we understand it’s about more than just a salary. It’s about the entire package on offer along with our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture. We know the market rates for this vacancy and will offer a genuinely competitive salary DOE.

We care deeply about your wellbeing and our benefits includes: 20% pension (4% from you, 16% from us), 25 days holiday (plus 3 days over Christmas) plus bank holidays, we are open to consider flexible working arrangements. We have a subsidised gym membership, 3 times base salary life assurance, a cashback healthcare scheme and wide variety of other generous benefits including discounts on: Apple and Samsung products, holidays, clothing, fitness, lifestyle, dining out and weekly shopping.

Our benefits can be found here: Benefits at UEL - Jobs at UEL

Equal Opportunities

UEL is an inclusive equal opportunities employer and are proud of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity achievements, including: zero gender pay gap, members of Stonewall and have won Athena Swan awards. We expect all employees of UEL to accept our EDI policy and will not tolerate discrimination in any form.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and committed to success, we want you to apply today!

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the deadline if we receive many applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

To contact the recruitment team please phone +44 20 8223 3000 x 4600 or e-mail jobs@uel.ac.uk

CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.