Transactional Finance Manager in Coventry

Job Purpose Summary

The Transactional Finance Manager is responsible for leading and developing the transactional finance function, ensuring the accurate, timely and efficient delivery of billing, accounts receivable, credit control and accounts payable activities.

The role is accountable for the performance of the transactional teams, ensuring robust financial controls, high service standards and a culture of continuous improvement. Working closely with colleagues across Finance and the wider business, the Transactions Manager will drive process excellence, improve operational efficiency and ensure key financial processes support the organisation's strategic objectives.

As a member of the Finance Leadership Team, the role holder will champion accountability, curiosity, collaboration and continuous improvement whilst maintaining a strong focus on team development and customer service.

Job Specific Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of transactional finance professionals, creating a high-performance culture focused on accountability, service excellence and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear objectives, KPIs and performance expectations for all team members.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions and development discussions.
• Identify training and development requirements and build capability across the team.
• Promote positive behaviours and values consistent with the Finance Leadership Team and wider business culture.
• Ensure appropriate resource planning, workload management and succession planning across the team.
• Foster a culture where issues are proactively identified, challenged and resolved.

Billing and Revenue Management

• Ensure all contract and ad-hoc billing is completed accurately and on time in accordance with customer agreements and business requirements.
• Monitor billing performance through KPIs, ensuring billing accuracy and service level targets are achieved.
• Drive continuous improvement of billing processes to reduce errors, rework and customer queries.
• Work collaboratively with operational and commercial teams to improve billing processes and data quality.
• Ensure revenue-related controls and reconciliations are completed accurately and in a timely manner.

Credit Control and Accounts Receivable

• Maintain effective credit control processes that maximise cash collection and minimise overdue debt.
• Drive reductions in debtor days and overdue balances through proactive management and performance monitoring.
• Work closely with the Key Account Managers driving clarity and actions in relation to debt recovery.
• Ensure customer queries and disputes are resolved promptly and effectively.
• Monitor high-risk accounts and recommend appropriate actions to protect the business from credit risk.
• Minimise bad debt exposure through robust collection strategies and early intervention.

Purchase Ledger and Supplier Management

• Ensure supplier invoices are processed accurately and efficiently.
• Ensure suppliers are paid in accordance with agreed terms and payment schedules.
• Drive reductions in supplier queries through improved processes, controls and communication.
• Develop effective working relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Review supplier payment processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and control.
• Ensure appropriate controls are in place over payment runs and supplier account management.

Financial Controls and Governance

• Maintain a strong financial control environment across all transactional finance activities.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, delegated authorities and internal control requirements.
• Review and approve supplier payments, customer refunds and other authorised transactions within delegated limits.
• Ensure key reconciliations, reviews and controls are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Support internal and external audit requirements and ensure actions are completed promptly.
• Identify and mitigate operational, financial and compliance risks within the function.

Continuous Improvement and Business Partnership

• Lead initiatives to simplify, standardise and improve transactional finance processes.
• Actively challenge existing ways of working and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, controls and customer outcomes.
• Use data and KPI reporting to identify trends, root causes and improvement opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with operational, commercial, IT and finance colleagues to deliver process improvements.
• Support system enhancements, automation initiatives and finance transformation activities.
• Lead or participate in projects that improve productivity, service levels and financial performance.

Reporting and Performance Management

• Develop and maintain meaningful KPI reporting across billing, accounts receivable, credit control and purchase ledger activities.
• Monitor team performance against operational, financial and service targets.
• Provide regular reporting and analysis to the Head of Finance, Finance Director and wider leadership team.
• Analyse trends, identify risks and propose corrective actions where required.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the key escalation point for transactional finance matters.
• Build strong working relationships with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Influence and support the wider business in adopting best practice processes.
• Work closely with the Finance Leadership Team to drive consistency, efficiency and continuous improvement across the finance function.

General Responsibilities

• Comply with all relevant health, safety, fire, environmental and statutory requirements, taking personal responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment.
• Participate in cross-functional and multi-skilled training activities within your own area and across the wider business, as required to support operational effectiveness.
• Undertake any reasonable duties or responsibilities as requested by a Manager or Director, consistent with the level and nature of the role.
• Maintain professional, positive and courteous relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, delivering excellent customer service at all times.
• Present a professional image and adhere to company standards of dress, appearance and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements where applicable.
• Attend and actively participate in training and development activities as required, ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures and standards.
• Support the wider business by undertaking additional duties outside the normal scope of the role where reasonably required to meet business needs.

To perform the job role successfully, the role holder must perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. These requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform in the role.

Person Specification

Essential Skills

• Proven experience managing Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit Control and Billing teams.
• Strong people leadership and performance management skills.
• Demonstrable track record of process improvement and operational optimisation.
• Good understanding of financial controls and governance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to drive accountability and challenge constructively.
• Proficient in financial systems and Microsoft Excel.

Personal Attributes

• Highly accountable and ownership-focused.
• Builds high-performing teams through coaching and development.
• Holds high standards and drives excellence.
• Process improvement and continuous improvement mindset.
• Curious, proactive and solutions-oriented.
• Strong attention to detail and control.
• Resilient and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative leader who positively influences others.