Accounts Payable Director

ob Description

The Director of Accounts Payable leads the companywide accounts payable function and corporate travel and expense program. The Director is accountable for accurate timely secure and efficient vendor payments and employee reimbursements; a strong internal control environment; effective team leadership; and continued improvement of processes and systems. The role partners with Accounting Treasury Tax Purchasing Information Technology operating departments and external vendors to support reliable financial reporting and a consistent service experience.

Key ResponsibilitiesAccounts Payable

• Provide enterprise leadership and accountability for the end-to-end accounts payable operating model including invoice processing approval workflow exception management vendor service and payment execution.

• Set and maintain AP policies procedures service expectations and operating standards that promote accuracy timely processing compliance and consistent execution across the organization.

• Build the capability and capacity of the AP organization through clear accountability leadership development succession planning cross-training and disciplined performance management.

• Own the AP control framework including controls over vendor onboarding and changes invoice approvals segregation of duties duplicate payment prevention payment release and access to AP systems and banking information.

• Establish payment governance and oversee vendor payment activity coordinating with Treasury and Accounting on payment timing liquidity requirements bank activity payment terms and available discounts.

• Ensure AP activities supporting monthly quarterly and annual close are accurate complete and timely; review significant reconciliations accruals aging matters account analyses and unresolved items.

• Own oversight of AP-related tax compliance including the accuracy and timely completion of 1099 reporting and coordination of applicable sales and use tax requirements with the Tax team.

• Establish performance measures and hold the organization accountable for results including invoice cycle time backlog exception rates on-time payments aged items duplicate or erroneous payments and vendor service levels.

• Set the AP process and technology improvement roadmap and lead cross-functional initiatives that strengthen controls improve service and visibility increase automation and reduce manual effort.

• Serve as the executive escalation point for significant or recurring vendor and internal stakeholder matters including payment disputes statement discrepancies credits control breakdowns and process failures.

• Maintain audit readiness and accountability for AP audit support findings root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions.

• Provide concise reporting and recommendations to Finance leadership on operating performance significant risks control matters strategic initiatives and issues requiring executive attention.
  
  

Corporate Travel and Expense

• Own companywide travel and expense governance including employee reimbursement and corporate credit card policies standards and enforcement.

• Set the strategy controls and operating expectations for expense management corporate card and travel booking systems including workflow access issue resolution and system improvement.

• Oversee expense activity policy exceptions card usage and compliance trends ensuring unusual or noncompliant activity is reviewed resolved and escalated appropriately.

• Ensure employees and managers receive clear training communication and support regarding travel and expense requirements.

• Use travel and expense data to identify savings opportunities recurring issues compliance risks and process improvements and report significant trends to Finance leadership.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in accounting finance business administration or a related field required; an equivalent combination of education and highly relevant experience may be considered in limited circumstances.

• At least 10 years of progressive accounts payable travel and expense or related finance operations experience including at least 5 years in a leadership role.

• Strong knowledge of AP and travel and expense processes internal controls financial close requirements 1099 reporting and applicable sales and use tax considerations.

• Proven success improving processes and implementing AP workflow or expense management systems and automation tools.

• Strong analytical organizational problem-solving and decision-making skills with consistent attention to detail.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with business leaders employees vendors auditors and other external parties.

• Sound judgment integrity discretion and a strong commitment to internal controls and responsible stewardship of company funds.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a large corporate multi-entity or high-volume operating environment.

• Experience with enterprise resource planning invoice workflow and expense management platforms; Oracle Cloud and Concur experience are preferred.

• Familiarity with electronic and international payment processes corporate card programs workflow automation and data analytics tools.
  
  

Leadership Competencies

Accountability and sound judgment; Servant leadership and a service-oriented mindset; People development and succession planning; Process discipline and continuous improvement; Cross-functional collaboration and influence; Ability to prioritize and execute in a high-volume environment.