Hays are currently working with an established higher education organisation who are looking for an experienced Accounts Payable specialist to join their team. This is an exciting opportunity to join a leading university as they embark on a significant finance systems implementation programme. Standard hours are Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Once training is complete, hybrid working will also be offered, supporting a healthy work-life balance.
Your new role
As the Accounts Payable Lead/Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering an efficient, compliant, and future‑ready AP function. Working as part of a dedicated project team, you will bring deep knowledge of end‑to‑end AP processes and act as the subject-matter expert throughout the implementation lifecycle.
You will:
Lead on Accounts Payable process mapping, optimisation, and documentation
Provide expert insight into AP best practice, controls, and risk mitigation
Support the design, testing, and rollout of the new finance system (Oracle experience highly desirable)
Work closely with operational teams to ensure smooth transition and adoption.
Troubleshoot issues, identify improvements, and champion process consistency
Manage deadlines and deliverables in a dynamic project environmentWhat you'll need to succeed
A strong background in Accounts Payable, with hands-on understanding of AP workflows, controls, and compliance
Experience working with Oracle or involvement in a major finance system implementation
The ability to prioritise effectively and remain composed under pressure
A proactive, solutions‑focused mindset with strong stakeholder engagement skills
Confidence and professional maturity - able to influence, challenge, and guide others
A commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes in a fast‑moving project settingWhat you'll get in return
You'll join a respected institution at a transformative moment, contributing directly to the success of a major systems upgrade. This is a chance to shape future processes, build your project experience, and work with a collaborative and forward-looking team.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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Salary description
£17.00 - £20.00 per hour