Accounts Payable Manager - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
Fora · London
About the Company
At Fora, we’re reimagining what the workplace can be.
We create inspiring, design-led spaces that blend hospitality, community, and wellbeing, so people can work productively, creatively, and happily.
From our first London workspace over 20 years ago, we’ve grown to 60+ locations across the UK, supporting 30,000+ members and partnering with trailblazing brands.
Backed by The Office Group, Blackstone, and Brockton Capital, we’re growing fast and pioneering conscious design, sustainable construction, and workspaces that empower people to work in their own unique way.
At Fora, we’re not just shaping workplaces, we’re shaping the future of work.
The Role
We're looking for an experienced Accounts Payable Manager to join our Finance team on a 12-month maternity cover contract.
This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing the Accounts Payable function across the Group, ensuring suppliers are paid accurately and on time while maintaining strong financial controls and operational excellence.
You'll lead a team of seven, work closely with stakeholders across Finance and the wider business, and play an important role in driving process improvements, automation initiatives and continuous operational efficiencies. This role combines people leadership, operational ownership and transformation, offering the opportunity to make a visible impact across the organisation.
Please note this position is 4 days in the office and 1 day working from anywhere.
Why This Role Matters
Accounts Payable is a critical part of the business, ensuring strong supplier relationships, effective cashflow management and robust financial governance.
Success in this role means building a high-performing team, creating scalable processes that support business growth, and helping shape the future of Accounts Payable through continuous improvement and technology-driven change.
What You'll Be Doing
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach and develop a team of seven Accounts Payable professionals, creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Support performance management, objective setting and professional development across the team.
- Ensure workloads and resources are effectively managed to meet business demands and service expectations.
- Create an environment where knowledge sharing, collaboration and high standards are consistently encouraged.
Accounts Payable Operations
- Take ownership of the day-to-day Accounts Payable function across the Group.
- Oversee the accurate and timely processing and payment of supplier invoices.
- Ensure supplier reconciliations, payment allocations and ledger maintenance are completed to a high standard.
- Support month-end activities, including accruals, prepayments and spend analysis.
Financial Control & Governance
- Maintain strong financial controls and approval processes across all Accounts Payable activities.
- Ensure compliance with internal policies, procedures and audit requirements.
- Monitor and resolve payment discrepancies, open items and supplier queries promptly.
- Promote consistent purchase order compliance across the business to support financial accuracy and reporting.
Process Improvement & Transformation
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy and service delivery within Accounts Payable.
- Support the ongoing development of purchase order, invoice approval and payment processes.
- Partner with transformation teams to enhance automation and maximise system capabilities.
- Help drive the adoption of best practice processes across Finance and the wider business.
Stakeholder & Supplier Management
- Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders across the organisation.
- Act as an escalation point for complex payment issues and operational queries.
- Support colleagues across the business through guidance, training and process expertise.
- Deliver reporting and insights on payment activity, liabilities and cashflow trends to support decision-making.
Why Fora?
This is more than a traditional Accounts Payable role. You'll have the opportunity to lead a critical Finance function while helping shape its future through process improvement, automation and operational excellence.
You'll work closely with senior stakeholders, contribute to transformation initiatives and play a direct role in supporting the continued growth of the business.
About You
You're someone who enjoys balancing people leadership with operational excellence. You take ownership, build credibility with stakeholders and are motivated by improving processes and developing high-performing teams.
You bring a practical, solutions-focused approach, enjoy working collaboratively across the business and are comfortable operating in an environment where continuous improvement is actively encouraged.
Requirements
What We're Looking For
- Significant Accounts Payable experience within a high-volume environment.
- Previous experience leading and developing an Accounts Payable team.
- Experience working with complex purchase order and invoice processing workflows.
- Strong understanding of financial controls, reconciliations and compliance requirements.
- ERP systems experience is essential.
- Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with financial data and reporting.
- Experience driving process improvement and operational efficiencies.
- Ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
Desirable
- SAP Business ByDesign experience.
- Experience working within a multi-site organisation.
- Property sector experience.
- Degree-level education or equivalent.
- Experience supporting finance transformation, automation or system enhancement initiatives.
Benefits
At Fora we energise and empower people to create their best work. We understand that in order to do that we need to support you every day, which is why we offer a range of benefits.
Please note this position is 4 days in the office and 1 day working from anywhere.
💼 Work Your Way
- Core working hours with flexibility – because life doesn’t run 9–5
- Two weeks ‘Work from Anywhere’ – swap your desk for a beach, a mountain… anywhere that inspires you
🌴 Time to Rest & Recharge
- 28 days’ annual leave + bank holidays
- Your birthday off – celebrate you
- Buy additional annual leave to create even more time for what matters
💪 Well-being & Security
- 5% matched pension scheme – supporting your future
- Life assurance for peace of mind
- Discounted gym membership to keep you feeling your best
- Access to our gyms and selected wellness classes with Restore at Fora
- Health cash plan - supporting day to day medical expenses
- Mental Well-being support - confidential in-person or online therapy sessions
🚴 Smarter, Greener Commuting
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Season Ticket Loan to make your journey easier and more affordable
☕ Perks That Make You Smile
- 25% off at Fora cafés – your morning coffee just got better
- 2 x volunteer days / year
- Generous Employee Referral Scheme