Accounts Payable Process Lead at Travel Counsellors

Trafford, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

23 Feb, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

25 Nov, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Accounts Payable, Process Improvement, Change Management, Automation, Training Development, Issue Resolution, Root Cause Analysis, Collaboration, Finance, Operations, Stakeholder Management, Compliance, Continuous Improvement, Mentorship, Performance Reporting

Industry

Travel Arrangements

Description

About Us At Travel Counsellors, our customers, communities, and colleagues are at the heart of everything we do. For over 30 years, we've empowered 2,200+ independent travel agents worldwide, helping them build successful businesses while providing deeply personal, human connections with their customers. Supported by a talented team of over 400 people in our Support Offices, we create unique travel experiences that keep customers coming back. Named the Best Place to Work in Travel (2022) and ranked in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work (2023, 2024 & 2025), we’re expanding rapidly and looking for exceptional individuals to join our Head Office team. About the Role The Accounts Payable Process Lead plays a key role in driving operational excellence within the AP function. While this role has no direct reports, it carries a high level of responsibility for leading process improvement initiatives, managing change, and resolving complex process issues across the team. The successful candidate will act as a subject matter expert (SME) and change champion, collaborating closely with colleagues in Commercial, Finance and Operations to identify root causes of upstream issues, implement sustainable solutions, and ensure smooth, efficient AP operations across the organisation. Principal Accountabilities Process & Change Management ● Lead and coordinate change management initiatives across the AP function, ensuring smooth implementation of new systems, tools, and processes. ● Partner with the AP Manager to identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and process optimization. ● Develop and deliver training, communications, and documentation to support process rollouts and changes. ● Monitor the impact of implemented changes and provide feedback or adjustments as needed. Issue Resolution & Continuous Improvement ● Delivering rapid response support for critical escalations and problematic accounts within AP, to minimize business disruption. ● Manage and stabilize key or escalated supplier accounts where issues, friction, or performance concerns have been identified. Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders and external partners to resolve underlying problems, implement sustainable improvements, and ensure a smooth transition back to business-as-usual operations once stability is achieved. ● Investigate and resolve complex or escalated AP process issues, ensuring thorough root cause analysis (RCA) and sustainable solutions. ● Collaborate with cross-functional teams — including Commerical, Finance, and Operations — to identify and address upstream process issues impacting AP accuracy and efficiency. ● Conduct detailed analysis of recurring or systemic issues, providing insights and recommendations to prevent recurrence. ● Support the development and maintenance of AP procedures, ensuring compliance with company policies and accounting standards. Leadership & Collaboration ● Act as a mentor subject matter expert to the wider AP team, promoting a culture of learning and continuous improvement. ● Build strong working relationships with key stakeholders across departments to drive end-to-end process improvements. ● Support audit requirements, providing documentation and explanations as needed. ● Contribute to departmental KPIs and performance reporting, supporting the AP Manager in achieving operational targets. Required Experience • Professional accounting or finance qualification (AAT, ACCA, CIMA part-qualified, or equivalent) desirable. • Experience with process automation tools or digital transformation projects is a plus. • Familiarity with shared services or centralized finance operations environments Our Benefits Competitive salary + annual bonus Flexible hybrid working Career development opportunities 25 days holiday (increasing to 28 after 5 years) Enhanced Maternity/Paternity pay 1 day paid charity day Company events and incentives 3x salary death in service benefit Pension scheme Private Medical Insurance or Healthcare Cash Plan Free breakfast and beverages Inclusive Recruitment at Travel Counsellors Travel Counsellors is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, gender, disability, or any protected characteristic. We provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our team and encourage all to apply. For more information about this role – and others – at Travel Counsellors, please do not hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition team at talentacquisition@travelcounsellors.com

Responsibilities

The Accounts Payable Process Lead is responsible for driving operational excellence within the AP function by leading process improvement initiatives and managing change. This role involves collaborating with various departments to resolve complex process issues and ensure efficient AP operations.