Accounts Payable Manage - 6 Month FTC in London

About BLAST

At BLAST, we’re all about creating extraordinary live and digital experiences — from arena-packing esports tournaments to unforgettable content that engages fans around the globe. We Make It Bold by challenging the norm and delivering fresh, creative formats that redefine what’s possible in the industry. We Make It Together by building close, collaborative partnerships with world-leading game publishers and brands to produce truly world-class results. And we Make It Happen by bringing energy, precision, and a problem-solving mindset to everything we do — across games like Counter-Strike, DOTA 2, Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket League, and Fortnite.

If you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and share our passion for pushing boundaries, we’d love to hear from you.

The role

We are looking for a high‑calibre, AI‑forward Accounts Payable Manager to join BLAST on an initial 6‑month fixed‑term contract, with a strong possibility of transitioning into a permanent role for the right candidate. This is a pivotal role within our Finance team, responsible for owning the end‑to‑end AP function across a high‑volume, fast‑paced global operation. Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, you will bring rigour, scalability and efficiency to our purchase‑to‑pay process - managing significant invoice volumes across multiple entities, currencies and vendors. Crucially, this is not a maintenance role. We are looking for an AP Manager who actively leverages AI and automation to reduce manual processing, increase straight‑through rates and free the team to focus on higher‑value work. Experience deploying AI tools in a high‑volume AP environment is a genuine differentiator for this role.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the end‑to‑end AP function across a large, high‑volume invoice environment, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and control at every stage of the purchase‑to‑pay cycle.
• Oversee the processing of high volumes of invoices across multiple entities and currencies, with a focus on maximising straight‑through processing rates through AI and automation.
• Maintain a clean, well‑reconciled AP ledger at scale, proactively resolving aged items, duplicate payments and supplier disputes before they escalate.
• Manage weekly and monthly multi‑currency payment runs, ensuring appropriate controls, authorisations and audit trails are in place.
• Own the AP inbox and act as the primary escalation point for complex supplier and internal queries, maintaining strong vendor relationships and protecting Blast’s commercial reputation.
• Lead the definition and configuration of the purchase order module within Blast’s new ERP system — including PO workflow design, approval hierarchies, matching rules and supplier portal setup — acting as the AP function’s subject matter expert throughout implementation and go‑live.

AI‑Led Process Automation

• Lead the optimisation of our PO system and supporting AI and automation tools across the AP function, including AI‑powered invoice capture, intelligent OCR, automated three‑way matching and exception‑based workflows.
• Use AI tools to reduce manual invoice touchpoints, drive down processing costs per invoice and significantly increase straight‑through processing.
• Leverage large language models and AI assistants to automate supplier communications, generate process documentation and analyse AP performance data.
• Identify and pilot new AI‑driven AP solutions as the technology evolves, acting as the internal champion for innovation within the AP function.
• Build and maintain automated dashboards and reporting tools that provide real‑time visibility into AP performance, liabilities and cash‑flow impact.

Month‑End & Financial Reporting

• Own the AP month‑end close process at volume and pace, including supplier statement reconciliations across multiple entities.
• Produce accurate AP ageing reports and KPI dashboards covering DPO, invoice cycle times, exception rates and automation penetration.
• Support the Financial Controller with balance sheet reconciliations and audit‑ready workpapers relating to payables.
• Provide regular insight and commentary on AP performance trends, highlighting risks and opportunities to Finance leadership.

Stakeholder & Supplier Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with a large, diverse supplier base, ensuring disputes and escalations are resolved professionally and efficiently at scale.
• Work closely with Procurement, Legal and Commercial teams to ensure supplier onboarding, contract payment terms and vendor data are accurately reflected in the AP system.
• Partner with budget holders across the business to drive PO compliance and timely invoice approvals, reducing bottlenecks in the workflow.
• Influence senior stakeholders to adopt AP best practices and support automation initiatives requiring cross‑functional engagement.
• Manage and develop a small AP team, providing day‑to‑day oversight, workload prioritisation and coaching, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and AI‑led ways of working.

Requirements

We are looking for a hands-on, operationally excellent AP professional who combines deep high-volume experience with a genuine enthusiasm for AI and automation. The ideal candidate will have:

Essential

• Significant experience managing a high‑volume AP function, operating at scale with hundreds of invoices per month across multiple entities and currencies.
• Proven track record of using AI and automation to materially transform AP operations, including AI‑powered invoice capture, intelligent OCR, automated matching or RPA‑driven workflows.
• Hands‑on experience with at least one enterprise AP automation platform.
• Demonstrated use of AI assistants (e.g., ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot or similar) to improve AP productivity across communications, data analysis, reporting or process documentation.
• A data‑driven mindset with the ability to define, track and improve AP KPIs such as DPO, straight‑through processing rates and invoice cycle times.
• Proficiency in a cloud‑based finance system (e.g., Xero, NetSuite, SAP or equivalent) with experience managing high transaction volumes.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong attention to detail, with the ability to interrogate large datasets quickly and accurately.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence to manage supplier escalations and influence internal stakeholders on process and policy.
• Ability to hit the ground running in a contract role, quickly assessing the current state and driving improvements at pace.

Desirable

• Experience scoping and implementing a new AP automation tool or AI‑driven invoice‑processing solution end to end.
• Familiarity with Python, SQL or low‑code automation tools (e.g., Make, Zapier, Power Automate) to build AP workflow automations.
• Part‑ or fully‑qualified in a recognised accountancy qualification (AAT / ACCA / CIMA) or equivalent.
• Experience in a high‑growth media, events, entertainment or esports environment.
• Exposure to intercompany AP processes and complex multi‑entity structures.
• Experience managing or developing a small AP team.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package
• Enhanced parental leave
• Pension and Health Insurance
• Awesome central office in the centre of London
• Team building and social events
• Team breakfasts, snacks and sodas