Senior Manager, Accounts Payable at Autolus Therapeutics in UK - London, White City

Job description

• Managing an established team of 3 you will oversee the end-to-end Accounts Payable operations, ensuring accurate invoice processing, timely supplier payments, robust controls, effective vendor management, and continuous improvement across processes, systems, and service delivery.
• You will own the financial and operational controls, process documentation, governance and reporting for the end-to-end Purchase-to-Pay process. Implement best-in-class AP applications and processes, while continually identifying opportunities to improve system and process efficiency and supporting the delivery of change.
• This is a hands-on role in a fast-changing environment, requiring adaptability and original thinking. You will work closely with the wider Finance team, Procurement Operations, and other departments across the business, building strong and effective working relationships.
• The manager will be a member of the Procurement Operations Management Team reporting to the Head of Procurement Operations and part of a high performing team accountable for the delivery of an efficient and controlled Procure to Pay capability.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the centralised Accounts Payable team ensuring effective process, efficiency, accuracy and providing a good service to the company with timely vendor payments.
• Responsible for ownership and operational administration of the Company's expense management / P card platform, including day-to-day monitoring of employee expense activity, policy compliance, user support, workflow management and reporting, Act as the primary Finance contact for all expense-related matters and ensure accurate, timely, and compliant expense processing across the organisation.
• Oversee the full accounts payable lifecycle, including invoice receipt, validation, coding, approvals, payment runs, supplier statement reconciliations, and exception management.
• Collaborate with Procurement Operations to oversee various processes such as supplier onboarding into ERP system.
• Maintain robust controls over payment processing, segregation of duties, duplicate-payment prevention, fraud risk, and audit readiness.
• Lead month, quarter and year-end AP close activities, including accrual support, ageing reviews, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Partner with Procurement, Finance and business teams to improve procure-to-pay performance and compliance.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise, automate, and improve AP processes and controls to drive improvement and efficiencies across the business.
• Develop, Deliver and Monitor AP performance metrics, such as invoice processing cycle times, payment accuracy, overdue invoices, exception rates, supplier query volumes, and days payable outstanding
• Other ad-hoc duties including support to project teams in development and implementation of infrastructural projects and implementation of processes
• Lead, coach, and develop the Accounts Payable operations team, setting clear objectives and performance expectations.
• Allocate workload, manage capacity, and ensure effective cover for critical activities.
• Build a customer-focus set expectations and adopt continuous-improvement culture.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and capability development within the AP team.
• Own or support AP system configuration, workflow optimisation, automation adoption, and data quality improvements.
• Work with IT, Finance Systems, and Procurement Systems teams to resolve system issues and improve user experience.
• Use AP reporting and analytics to identify process bottlenecks, control gaps, supplier issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Support transformation initiatives such as e-invoicing, purchase order compliance, automated approvals, supplier portals, and invoice scanning capture tools.

Requirements

• E – Essential
• Strong operational leadership and team management capability. E
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. E
• Clear communication skills with the ability to engage suppliers, senior stakeholders, and cross-functional teams. E
• Good understanding of internal controls, audit requirements, risk management, and payment governance. E
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. E
• Continuous improvement mindset with experience improving processes, service levels, and controls. E
• Hands on, resilient and flexible to thrive in a fast-paced environment - E
• Biotech, clinical background – P
• Proven business partnering skills - E
• Significant experience in Accounts Payable, Procure-to-Pay, Finance Operations, or Shared Services environments. E
• Proven experience leading AP teams and managing high-volume transactional finance operations. E
• Strong knowledge of invoice processing, payment controls, supplier reconciliations, month-end close, and financial compliance requirement. E
• Experience with ERP and Fintech systems and tools. E
• Knowledge of working in shared service centre environment a plus. P
• AAT Level 4 qualified (or studying towards), or equivalent qualification or experience. E
• Degree or higher-level qualification. P

Skills

Required

• Clear communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Hands on, resilient and flexible
• Proven business partnering skills
• ERP systems
• Fintech systems and tools
• Accounts Payable processes
• Invoice processing
• Payment controls
• Supplier reconciliations
• Month-end close