Accounts Payable Team Leader

Location: Leicestershire Salary: £34,000 - £48,000Start: ASAP

We are recruiting for an experienced Accounts Payable Team Leader to join a large, fast-paced finance function in Leicestershire.

Initially offered as a 6-month contract, this role has been created to provide immediate leadership and support to the team, with the longer-term intention of establishing the position permanently.

Reporting into the Accounts Payable Operations Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of an AP team supporting an extensive property portfolio. The function processes expenditure including rent, rates, utilities, service charges and insurance invoices, with a strong focus on accurate processing and ensuring suppliers are paid on time.

You do not need previous Estates or Property experience. The priority is finding an established AP professional with strong people-management skills who can proactively lead the team, drive performance and identify opportunities to improve the way the function operates.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage and develop an Accounts Payable team, initially with at least two direct reports and scope for the team to grow.
• Provide clear day-to-day direction, coaching and regular 1-to-1s, proactively managing workloads and individual performance.
• Oversee the end-to-end AP process, ensuring high volumes of invoices, credit notes and debit notes are processed accurately and within agreed timescales.
• Manage supplier statement reconciliations, discrepancies and escalated supplier or internal queries.
• Review payment runs and ensure appropriate controls and payment terms are followed.
• Monitor daily, weekly and monthly KPIs and SLAs, identifying issues and taking action to improve performance.
• Oversee processing volumes, including activity completed by offshore teams.
• Monitor automated/robotic invoice processes and quality controls to maintain accuracy and data integrity.
• Support month-end and year-end AP activities, including reconciliation reviews and management information.
• Maintain appropriate AP controls and support compliance with relevant requirements, including VAT and CIS where applicable.
• Provide hands-on support during busy periods and help the team tackle backlogs or operational challenges.
• Proactively identify areas for process improvement, contributing to the implementation of new processes, systems and more efficient ways of working.
• Maintain and improve AP processes, procedures and supporting documentation.
• Build strong relationships across the wider business, confidently engaging with stakeholders and visiting different areas of the organisation to understand challenges and resolve issues.
• Support the team through periods of change, communicating priorities clearly and helping colleagues adapt to new ways of working.

What We're Looking For:

We are looking for someone who is more than just a strong Accounts Payable processor. You will need to be a confident leader who takes ownership, spots problems and drives the team forward.

Ideally, you will have:

• Previous Accounts Payable/Purchase Ledger management or team leadership experience.
• Proven experience managing, coaching and developing a finance team.
• Strong end-to-end Accounts Payable knowledge.
• A proactive approach to process improvement and operational efficiency.
• The ability to identify problems and implement practical solutions rather than simply escalating them.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the confidence to build relationships across different areas and levels of a business.
• Experience monitoring workloads, KPIs, SLAs and team performance.
• The ability to remain hands-on and support the team when volumes or pressures increase.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A resilient and adaptable approach, particularly when working within a changing environment.
• Previous experience within Estates, Property or Property Management would be advantageous but is not essential.

What's on Offer:

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced AP Team Leader who enjoys leading from the front, developing people and improving processes.

The initial requirement is for a contractor who can join quickly and provide immediate support for a 6-month period, while offering the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the development and performance of the AP function.