Accounts Payable Officer Ref: 59988

As part of our recruitment approach, internal candidates will receive priority consideration at the shortlisting stage.

About the role

The purpose of this role is to provide senior-level expertise, oversight, and analytical support across the end‑to‑end Purchase to Pay (P2P) process, ensuring a high‑quality, efficient, and well‑controlled Accounts Payable service. The post‑holder will act as a key point of authority within the AP function, supporting robust financial governance, supplier payment accuracy, and compliance with organisational policies and statutory requirements.

Key stakeholders include staff and students involved in procurement and purchasing activity, as well as the suppliers delivering goods, services, and works. The role requires strong financial judgement, the ability to interpret and analyse payment data, and the capability to influence best practice across the wider organisation.

Given the segregation of duties required within the P2P control framework, it is neither appropriate nor permissible for a single post‑holder to undertake all associated activities simultaneously. Instead, post‑holders will operate within one of several defined Responsibility Profiles at any given time, rotating at appropriate intervals to maintain resilience, independence, and process integrity. As systems and processes evolve, these Profiles may be reviewed and realigned to ensure continued effectiveness and compliance.

About you

The post holder will be an experienced finance professional with a strong understanding of Accounts Payable, Purchase to Pay (P2P) processes, and financial controls. They will demonstrate excellent attention to detail, sound judgement, and the ability to interpret complex financial information to support accurate and timely supplier payments.

Need to be highly organised, able to manage competing priorities within a high-volume environment, and capable of building effective relationships with stakeholders across the organisation. The role requires an individual who can challenge constructively, identify process improvements, and promote compliance with financial regulations, policies and best practice.

The successful candidate will be a proactive problem solver with strong analytical skills, capable of investigating payment issues, identifying trends and risks, and implementing appropriate corrective actions. They will be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, supporting colleagues and contributing to the continuous improvement of the Accounts Payable function.

About our Divison

The Finance Division is led by the Chief Finance Officer who reports directly to the Vice Chancellor. We employ some 80 staff who provide high quality financial and commercial services which support both the day to day running of our schools, services, and the development and delivery of the University’s strategic aims.

Our staff work in partnership with academic, professional service colleagues, and students to understand their priorities and needs. We maintain efficient and effective services, systems, and processes, assist in identifying and exploiting commercial and strategic opportunities, manage financial risk and improve ‘spending power’ through negotiation of favourable commercial terms. We work hard to equip staff across the University with financial capability and confidence to ensure that the University makes the best use of resources for our students and research partners.

Please find further information regarding the division at Finance: University of Sussex.

Why work here

Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.  

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that. 

Find out more about our reward and benefits package. 

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion. 

Further Key Information 

Please contact Sean Howard, s.howard@sussex.ac.uk for informal enquiries.

For full details and how to apply see our vacancies page.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Eligibility

Please be aware that any role graded below 5.5 or £33,400 per per annum will not be eligible sponsorship.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.