Manager, Accounts Payable

Heidrick & Struggles is the world's foremost advisor on executive leadership, driving superior client performance through premier human capital leadership advisory services. For more than 70 years, we’ve delivered value for our clients by leveraging unrivaled expertise to help organizations discover and enable outstanding leaders and teams. Learn more at

Heidrick & Struggles is a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior-level talent and consulting needs of the world's top organizations. In our role as trusted leadership advisors, we partner with our clients to develop future-ready leaders and organizations, bringing together our services and offerings in executive search, diversity and inclusion, leadership assessment and development, organization and team acceleration, culture shaping and on-demand, independent talent solutions.

Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 70 years ago. Today, the firm provides integrated talent and human capital solutions to help our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time.

The Manager, Accounts Payable, reports to the Senior Manager, Accounts Payable, and oversees global accounts payable operations for more than 50 entities across 30+ countries. This role is a proactive, highly organized partner on financial and accounting operations, including vendor master data management, invoice processing, payment execution, and query handling. The Manager brings sound prioritization, a strong sense of urgency, and consistent attention to accuracy, compliance, and service commitments.

The role also partners with global offices, leadership teams, and corporate functions to strengthen controls, streamline workflows, and identify opportunities for automation, AI-enabled tools, and continuous improvement.

Manage full-cycle accounts payable processes, including invoice processing, vendor management, and payment execution. Lead a remote team of seven professionals, including AP supervisors and analysts based in Chicago, London, Munich, and Tampa, fostering collaboration and accountability. Conduct regular performance reviews and provide opportunities for professional growth and development. Track AP key performance indicators and metrics, proactively prioritize trends, risks, and service issues, and deliver actionable insights to senior leadership.

Create, document, and enforce policies, procedures, and best practices that improve organization, standardize execution, and support operational excellence. Monitor and review weekly pay cycles, triage urgent payment issues, and manage emergency payments with appropriate prioritization and control discipline. Maintain knowledge of widely accepted global payment methods, including SEPA and local direct debit, as well as banking infrastructure and international payment-processing trends.

Adhere to GAAP, SOX, internal controls, and applicable regulatory requirements. Prepare documentation for internal and external audits. Manage month-end and year-end closing activities related to accounts payable, including accruals and reconciliations. Build and maintain strong vendor relationships and resolve complex payment and dispute issues. Collaborate with Procurement, Treasury, Accounting, and other corporate teams to streamline workflows, reduce manual effort, and implement automation solutions that improve speed, accuracy, and scalability.

Lead or support ERP and AP system upgrades, maintenance, and implementations, including systems such as People Soft Financials, Concur, Workday, and Salesforce. Identify and address AP process and technology gaps, championing continuous improvement, automation, and practical AI-enabled solutions.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of progressive accounts payable experience, including at least one year in a managerial or supervisory role.
• Proven leadership in team development, performance management, and coaching.
• Expertise in international AP operations, currencies, foreign exchange, VAT, and regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrated success implementing process improvements, automation, workflow streamlining, and internal controls in a complex AP environment.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with ad hoc requests, changing priorities, and time-sensitive deliverables that require strong judgment and…