Finance Manager, International Operations & Accounts Payable in Southampton

We are seeking an experienced International Finance Manager to join our Southampton office. Reporting to the Group Finance Director, you will be responsible for both the international law firm and the Groups Corporate Services Provider (CSP) operations ensuring that financial processes, controls, and reporting are aligned, efficient and compliant across all business lines. This is a hands-on leadership role accountable for people, processes, systems, controls, and governance. The role leads a team of 11 direct reports and works closely with senior stakeholders across Finance, IT, Operations and the Partnership.

Principal duties

• Lead and develop a multi-office Accounts Payable (AP) team, driving capability, accountability, and succession planning.
• Own the full AP lifecycle, including vendor onboarding, invoice processing, approvals, payment runs, disbursements, and supplier management.
• Ensure multi-jurisdictional compliance with statutory, regulatory, and tax requirements across the UK, Channel Islands, Caribbean, and Asia.
• Maintain strong internal controls and alignment with Group Finance policies.
• Oversee day-to-day finance operations (AR/AP, banking, payroll inputs, journals, general ledger) for Caribbean and Asia offices.
• Provide business partnering to Office Heads, Partners, and local leadership teams.
• Assess and enhance process maturity, identifying inefficiencies and implementing improvements and automation.
• Lead systems and automation initiatives across AP, partnering with IT and Finance on workflow tools and invoice automation.
• Act as a trusted finance partner to stakeholders across the law firm and CSP operations.
• Produce and analyse AP metrics, including aged creditors, payment performance, supplier concentration, and efficiency KPIs.
• Deliver actionable insights on non-fee spend, cost trends, and AP performance to Finance leadership.

Professional Qualifications / Skills / Experience

• 6 years of Accounts Payable experience in a law or professional services firm with at least 4 years in a management/supervisory role.
• Proven experience leading an AP function in a professional services, legal, or complex multi-entity organisation.
• Experience supporting or managing finance operations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong people leadership and team development experience.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, audit requirements, payment authorisations, and segregation of duties.
• Hands-on experience with finance systems, AP automation tools, and process improvement.
• Exposure to finance transformation or automation initiatives.
• Understanding of multi-currency, cross-border payments, and offshore regulatory environments.

Personal characteristics required

• Credible, confident, and calm under pressure, with the ability to work flexibly when required.
• Process-driven with a strong control mindset and exceptional attention to detail.
• Able to balance high-quality operational delivery with long-term process improvement and optimisation.
• Pragmatic and solutions-focused, with strong analytical skills to resolve complex payment, vendor, and compliance issues.
• Skilled at influencing senior stakeholders without direct authority, with excellent written and verbal communication skills across cultures and time zones.
• Strong leadership capability, with the ability to delegate effectively, develop talent, and build high-performing teams.
• Exceptional accuracy and precision in financial processing and data review.

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