Accounts Receivable Team Lead

Even the best scientific institutes cannot flourish without a well-managed cash flow. We are seeking an Account Receivable Team Lead to guide the team responsible for ensuring the management, maintenance and reconciliation of the sales ledger in line with management accounting practices. The team ensures credit control activities are performed to business guidelines, and that NPL operations function effectively by timely collection of outstanding monies.

About the Role

This is the perfect time to join NPL and help shape the team for the future, using your knowledge and that of your peers to ensure strong and robust controls, good quality processes, credit control disciplines and insightful reporting.

What you\’ll be doing:

• Ensure accurate financial data, meet team targets, and promote accountability by tracking and resolving all queries promptly to protect cash flow and minimise risk.
• Oversee daily operations to maintain compliance and timely delivery, identifying training needs and supporting team development so members feel empowered and valued.
• Set clear performance targets for receipt collection and allocation, regularly review outstanding accounts, and ensure the AR mailbox is consistently monitored and actioned.
• Use your expertise to guide the team through complex accounts, support diverse customer and contract challenges, and contribute to cash flow forecasting and reporting.
• Oversee the identification and correct recording of bad debts and high‑risk accounts.
• Act as the primary AR contact for internal and external audits, delegating sampling tasks where appropriate.

About You

Key Criteria:

• An empowering and supportive leader with a “can do” attitude
• Track record of delivering accounts receivable and credit control activity, ideally with a mixture of commercial and government accounts.
• Experience of preparing cash flow and other forecasts for reporting for business management.
• Strong technical experience within transactional accounting and the ability to train team members on reconciliations.
• Good communication skills for managing and maintaining relationships with colleagues and customers to ensure queries and problems are dealt with efficiently.
• A passion for continuous improvement, encouraging and supporting staff to challenge inefficiencies.
• Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office
• Experience in an AR role with proven success in a supervisory or leadership capacity.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of using Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O for Financial Management and Control.
• Demonstrated commitment to support staff develop knowledge and skills, encouraging professional development

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

About Us

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world‑leading centre of excellence that provides cutting‑edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here – The measure of us – Overview

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well‑being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work‑life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.