This is an opportunity to lead the Accounts Payable Overhead function across Flight Centre Travel Group's (FCTG) European Finance operations, covering invoice management, payment processing, supplier and vendor management, and reconciliation and month-end closing for all Overhead suppliers across European brands including FCM, Corporate Traveller (CT), FCBT, and Ireland (IRE).
The Accounts Payable Overhead Lead will report into the European Head of Accounts Payable & BSP. The function sits within Flight Centre Travel Group's Europe Transactional Finance operations, with the majority of day-to-day processing delivered through FCTG's offshore delivery partner, Cognizant.
A key element of this role is the direct management and governance of the offshore delivery stream, ensuring the offshore team operates to agreed service levels, maintains accuracy and compliance in processing, and is supported with clear, well-documented processes and escalation pathways. You will act as the primary point of contact between the offshore team and the European business, driving performance, quality, and continuous improvement across the Overhead AP function.
You will also be responsible for consolidating a European-wide view of Overhead supplier balances within the Creditors Control Account, ensuring ageing and risk are proactively managed, and for supporting the Global Expense Team in Australia with expense claim setup, escalations, and queries.
To be successful in this role, you will be passionate about operational excellence, comfortable overseeing and coaching an offshore team, and confident acting as an escalation point and quality-control layer over a function that is predominantly executed by a third-party partner.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead and manage the Accounts Payable Overhead function across European brands and entities.
- Act as the primary governance and escalation point for the offshore delivery partner, Cognizant.
- Monitor and manage SLAs, KPIs, quality standards, and turnaround times.
- Ensure accurate end-to-end invoice management, including review, coding, verification, and authorisation.
- Oversee Mid-Month and End of Month payment processing across electronic transfers, BACS, wire transfers, and credit cards.
- Maintain supplier and vendor relationships, resolving disputes and ensuring accurate vendor records.
- Consolidate and analyse European-wide Overhead supplier balances within the Creditors Control Account.
- Reconcile supplier and bank accounts and oversee month-end closing activities.
- Support the Global Expense Team with expense claim setup, escalations, and queries.
- Drive process improvements, automation opportunities, and operational efficiencies.
- Conduct governance meetings, performance reviews, and knowledge transfer initiatives with the offshore team.
- Support external audit requirements related to Overhead AP activities.
- Build strong relationships across finance and non-finance stakeholders throughout Europe.
- Lead, coach, and support the development of offshore team members.
- Contribute to a safe, inclusive, and accessible work environment where all Flighties feel welcomed, respected, and supported to thrive.
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven experience leading or managing an offshore or outsourced finance delivery team, ideally within accounts payable.
- Strong Accounts Payable experience including invoice processing, payment runs, and supplier reconciliations.
- Experience operating in multi-currency and multi-entity environments.
- Demonstrated experience governing third-party or offshore service providers against SLAs and KPIs.
- Strong stakeholder management and escalation management experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy.
- Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, or equivalent) preferred.
- Degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business desirable.
- Experience with Dynamics 365 (D365) or similar ERP platforms advantageous.
- Experience in process documentation, controls, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities.
