Job summary
Are you a strategic finance leader with a passion for operational excellence? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where you can transform processes, lead high-performing teams, and drive meaningful change? If so, this could be your next big move.
As we continue on our transformation journey, we are looking for an experienced Head of Accounts Payable to manage this function across NHS Wales, in addition to leading both our Salary Sacrifice benefits team and our eEnablement team who support the digital process improvements between procurement, accounts payable, suppliers and customers.
This is a pivotal leadership role where you'll oversee all aspects of supplier payments, process optimisation, compliance, and team development. You'll be the driving force behind a smooth, efficient, Accounts Payable function that supports our Purchase to Pay efficiency agenda and development of key relationships with procurement leads.
Main duties of the job
You'll bring a blend of technical expertise, leadership confidence, and a proactive mindset. We're looking for someone who is:
o Experienced in leading Accounts Payable teams within a complex, high-volume environment
o Skilled in process improvement and utilising financial systems and emerging technologies to deliver efficiencies
o A strong communicator who can influence at all levels
o Analytical, detail-oriented, and both solutions and customer-focused
o Comfortable navigating change and driving transformation
Main duties of the role:
o Lead the full Accounts Payable cycle, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and strong financial controls
o Implement best-practice processes, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives
o Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers
o Manage Accounts Payable reporting, KPIs, and month-end close activities
o Lead, mentor, and develop the Accounts Payable, e-Enablement and Salary Sacrifice Benefits teams to deliver exceptional performance
o Ensure compliance with NHS Wales policies, audit requirements, and regulatory standards
o Drive strategic initiatives to enhance efficiency and support business objectives
o Passionate about developing people and building a positive team culture
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
At NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership we expect everyone to embrace our values of Listening and Learning, Working Together, Taking Responsibility and Innovating.
Our organisation encourages an agile working approach and we pride ourselves on being a learning organisation motivated by continuous improvement.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion, focussing on the wellbeing and belonging of our people.
Excellent customer service is something we strive for, for both our internal and external customers.
Offering a comprehensive benefits package, there is something for everyone. To find out more about working for us, the benefits we offer and guidance on the application process please visit https://nwssp.nhs.wales/working-for-us/
NWSSP work in an agile way where possible, all posts will have a contractual base but as part of agile ways of working that may mean working from home and other locations. We also look at how we balance flexibility with community, and how to manage opportunities to learn from each other.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Responsible for the strategic, leadership and operational management of the Accounts Payable, eEnablement and Salary Sacrifice teams within NWSSP, leading the management of all non-pay related payments across NHS Wales with a value in excess of £7 billion and working closely with procurement services to ensure the delivery of seamless end to end procure to pay processes.
2. Deliver and monitor the non-pay payment process across Wales to deliver efficiencies and support the Health Boards, Trusts & Special Health Authorities in achieving the statutory Public Sector Payment Performance target of 95%.
3. Responsible for leading on all non-pay related payment protocols across NHS Wales by taking tactical action to apply good governance throughout the Procure to Pay process and using data analytics to prioritise areas for service improvement. This may involve the identification of some quick wins; developing procure to pay capability across NHS Wales; spreading procure to pay best practice principles and improving specific areas of systems/processes that relate to non-pay payments with benchmarking data
4. Lead on service transformation to deliver long-term strategic objectives utilising increased automation to keep pace with industry standards and changes, including the management and deployment of IT solutions/systems for the procure to pay process including both duplicate payment prevention software and early payment income generating software as well as the deployment of robotics process automation solutions and artificial intelligence. Investigate other solutions to improve non pay such as commercial development, innovation, income generation and other innovative solutions
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Responsible for the strategic, leadership and operational management of the Accounts Payable, eEnablement and Salary Sacrifice teams within NWSSP, leading the management of all non-pay related payments across NHS Wales with a value in excess of £7 billion and working closely with procurement services to ensure the delivery of seamless end to end procure to pay processes.
2. Deliver and monitor the non-pay payment process across Wales to deliver efficiencies and support the Health Boards, Trusts & Special Health Authorities in achieving the statutory Public Sector Payment Performance target of 95%.
3. Responsible for leading on all non-pay related payment protocols across NHS Wales by taking tactical action to apply good governance throughout the Procure to Pay process and using data analytics to prioritise areas for service improvement. This may involve the identification of some quick wins; developing procure to pay capability across NHS Wales; spreading procure to pay best practice principles and improving specific areas of systems/processes that relate to non-pay payments with benchmarking data
4. Lead on service transformation to deliver long-term strategic objectives utilising increased automation to keep pace with industry standards and changes, including the management and deployment of IT solutions/systems for the procure to pay process including both duplicate payment prevention software and early payment income generating software as well as the deployment of robotics process automation solutions and artificial intelligence. Investigate other solutions to improve non pay such as commercial development, innovation, income generation and other innovative solutions
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- Post-graduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA) or demonstrable equivalent experience in a relevant area such as Procurement, Accounts Payable, change management, leadership, business planning or service improvement methodologies
- Professional qualification (MCIPS) or equivalent professional Finance qualification
- Evidence of continuing professional development, education, and training at senior management level
- In depth professional knowledge in Strategic Procurement, financial management, performance and staff management acquired through experience over an extended period of time
- Expert knowledge of procurement strategy and relevant legislation
- Proven ability to influence strategic thinking of senior health board and trust management
- Knowledge of e-business systems
- Knowledge of best practice, benchmarking and performance measurement techniques
Desirable
- Project Management qualifications such as PRINCE2 or other methodology
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience at a senior level in dealing with complex procurement/finance/Purchase to pay initiatives
- Experience of managing contractors, professional and administrative staff and resources to achieve corporate objectives
- Experience of developing and implementing purchase to pay solutions
- Experience of project planning and ability to meet deadlines
Desirable
- Political awareness, displaying a clear understanding of the implications of both national and local agendas and how they can be managed
- Experience of risk management, corporate governance and quality management systems
Skills & Attributes
Essential
- Creative and dynamic, strong on lateral thinking, bringing fresh ideas and proposing new but risk evaluated solutions
- Organisational change management skills
- Excellent communication skills, written and oral, articulate and robust in presenting ideas
- Strong influencing and negotiating skills, a good builder of productive relationships
- Proficient in the use of all Microsoft Office products
- Ability to develop relationships and establish consensus with a variety of key players both within and external to NWSSP
- Ability to access transport (public and/or private) to travel off site for meetings (as appropriate), throughout Wales and other parts of the UK
Desirable
- Welsh Speaker
- Interest in Healthcare
Person Specification
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
- Post-graduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA) or demonstrable equivalent experience in a relevant area such as Procurement, Accounts Payable, change management, leadership, business planning or service improvement methodologies
- Professional qualification (MCIPS) or equivalent professional Finance qualification
- Evidence of continuing professional development, education, and training at senior management level
- In depth professional knowledge in Strategic Procurement, financial management, performance and staff management acquired through experience over an extended period of time
- Expert knowledge of procurement strategy and relevant legislation
- Proven ability to influence strategic thinking of senior health board and trust management
- Knowledge of e-business systems
- Knowledge of best practice, benchmarking and performance measurement techniques
Desirable
- Project Management qualifications such as PRINCE2 or other methodology
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience at a senior level in dealing with complex procurement/finance/Purchase to pay initiatives
- Experience of managing contractors, professional and administrative staff and resources to achieve corporate objectives
- Experience of developing and implementing purchase to pay solutions
- Experience of project planning and ability to meet deadlines
Desirable
- Political awareness, displaying a clear understanding of the implications of both national and local agendas and how they can be managed
- Experience of risk management, corporate governance and quality management systems
Skills & Attributes
Essential
- Creative and dynamic, strong on lateral thinking, bringing fresh ideas and proposing new but risk evaluated solutions
- Organisational change management skills
- Excellent communication skills, written and oral, articulate and robust in presenting ideas
- Strong influencing and negotiating skills, a good builder of productive relationships
- Proficient in the use of all Microsoft Office products
- Ability to develop relationships and establish consensus with a variety of key players both within and external to NWSSP
- Ability to access transport (public and/or private) to travel off site for meetings (as appropriate), throughout Wales and other parts of the UK
Desirable
- Welsh Speaker
- Interest in Healthcare
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
