Finance Operations Manager

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A prestigious institution in Liverpool is seeking a Finance Operations Manager to join their dynamic finance team. This senior role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact by guiding and supporting the organisation through a major ERP migration to the cloud, enhancing efficiency and accessibility across all financial operations.

The institution manages substantial annual income and expenditure, providing you with the chance to work at scale and complexity, supported by generous benefits and a culture of collaboration. If you are passionate about driving positive change in finance operations and thrive in a supportive, knowledgeable team, this is your opportunity to shape the future of financial management within a renowned organisation.

What you'll do:

• Oversee the Accounts Payable function by managing supplier invoice processing, resolving workflow issues, reconciling supplier statements promptly, supporting working capital improvements, and maintaining an accurate AP ledger.
• Lead the Accounts Receivable function with responsibility for debt management, cash collection optimisation, reporting cycles including month-end and quarter-end processes, budgeting, forecasting, risk exposure monitoring, and governance.
• Develop collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners such as customers, insurance providers, credit rating agencies, lenders, advisers, counterparties, card acquirers and payment pathway providers; escalate dispute processes as needed.
• Work closely with senior finance leaders on modelling, assessment and delivery of new financial reporting solutions related to core areas of responsibility.
• Manage institutional AP and AR reporting by providing insightful commentary for committee reports, audits and other purposes; ensure integrity of cashflow forecasts underpinning statutory returns.
• Ensure compliance with audit requirements and financial policies by reviewing and strengthening procedures relating to AP and AR; monitor changes in legislation and best practice.
• Support risk management through documentation and testing of controls while maintaining a robust internal control environment.
• Develop and maintain a community of practice so that procedures, reports, policies, systems developments and future planning are understood across teams; provide guidance on payment acceptance options.
• Own relevant policies and procedures ensuring compliance with legislation and quality standards; regularly review these policies for communication and adherence.
• Provide leadership for your team by motivating staff members, offering development opportunities including formal professional training; act as a key reference point for research finance teams and student fees office colleagues.

What you bring:

• Extensive experience managing AP and AR functions within large complex environments is essential for success in this role.
• A thorough understanding of risk management principles, controls implementation and legislative compliance impacting finance operations is required.
• Proven track record designing control-based finance policies that ensure compliance with regulations while delivering measurable efficiencies is highly valued.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver process/system improvements alongside cultural change initiatives within finance teams is important.
• Evidence of collaborative working across organisational boundaries shows your capacity for teamwork in achieving shared objectives.
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent), with membership of a recognised accounting professional body such as CCAB or CIMA—or equivalent qualifications/experience—is mandatory.
• Significant knowledge of best practice in AP/AR management enables you to serve as an authoritative source of expertise within your area.
• Excellent written/presentation skills allow you to communicate complex financial information clearly to diverse audiences including non-financial colleagues.
• Strong administrative/organisational skills enable you to prioritise multiple tasks effectively under tight deadlines.
• Leadership skills are crucial: motivating/developing team members by setting clear objectives ensures high performance against targets.

To apply for this fantastic opportunity, please get in touch ASAP!

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates