Advert Closes: Thursday 25th June
Looking for your next step in Accounts Payable leadership? Ready to shape processes, lead a high-performing team, and drive real impact? This could be the role for you.
At The Crown Estate, we’re looking for an experienced Accounts Payable Lead to take ownership of our function, leading a talented team, strengthening supplier relationships, and driving continuous improvement across systems and processes.
What you’ll be doing
As a key member of the finance team, you’ll balance operational excellence with people leadership:
Lead & inspire
Manage and develop the Accounts Payable team, driving performance and engagement
Coach and mentor team members through regular 1:1s and development plans
Act as the first point of escalation for supplier and business queries
Deliver operational excellence
Oversee end-to-end invoice processing and payment cycles
Ensure accurate coding, timely approvals, and smooth month-end close
Validate payment runs and support cash balancing processes
Champion our commitment to paying supplier invoices within 30 days
Drive improvement & innovation
Identify process inefficiencies and implement improvements through automation and system enhancements
Develop KPIs and reporting to support data-driven decision-making
Ensure compliance with procurement policies and audit requirements
Collaborate & influence
Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business
Partner with operational teams and property managers to resolve queries quickly and effectively
What we’re looking for
Proven experience leading an Accounts Payable team
Excellent knowledge of invoice processing, coding, and payment procedures
Experience with accounts payable systems and automation tools (e.g. Agresso Unit4, Proactis, Medius)
Strong communication skills with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset
A continuous improvement approach with strong problem-solving capability
Bonus points for experience in real estate/property or a public sector environment.
Why join The Crown Estate?
Work in a purpose-led organisation with a long-term view
Play a key role in transforming finance processes through technology and innovation
Lead a team where your impact will be visible and valued
Be part of a culture that champions development, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Our Offering / benefits:
As well as a competitive salary, pension and performance related bonus offering, we have a wealth of benefits available ranging from flexible working; market leading family policies and shopping discounts in the West End, to private healthcare; life and critical illness cover and 28 days holiday with the option to buy more. We value work life balance and your wellbeing highly, enabling you to be your best self to work.
Disability Disclaimer:
We are a proud disability confident employer and operate the offer of interview scheme Disability Confident employer scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
We are happy to offer alternative application methods or formats and can be flexible on our process to enable you to have the best opportunity.
If you have any questions about our recruitment process or would like to talk about adjustments, please contact us directly, or at [email protected]
Please note that if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Skills Required
- Proven experience leading an Accounts Payable team
- Excellent knowledge of invoice processing, coding, and payment procedures
- Experience with accounts payable systems and automation tools (e.g. Agresso Unit4, Proactis, Medius)
- Strong communication skills with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset
- Continuous improvement approach with strong problem-solving capability
- Experience in real estate/property or public sector environment
What We Do
The Crown Estate is an independent commercial business created by Act of Parliament that manages a diverse portfolio of UK land, urban centres, and the seabed. Its mission is to create lasting and shared prosperity for the nation by supporting the UK's transition to a low-carbon, energy-secure future, protecting and restoring nature, and contributing to inclusive growth through improved access to new homes and infrastructure.
