Interim Team Lead, Payments Operations (Contract)
Approx. £52K - £63K (£200pd - £242pd PAYE) | Manchester (Hybrid) | Fixed-Term Contract
Are you a seasoned finance professional with a passion for payments, process improvement, and people leadership?
We are currently looking for a driven Team Lead for Payments Operations to step in and guide a high-performing finance team while our current lead transitions to a strategic internal project. In this highly visible role, you will oversee BAU operations, empower a team of Payment Process Analysts and Accountants, and serve as a trusted business advisor to key stakeholders across the company.
If you are a motivational leader who is just as comfortable driving strategic OKRs as you are rolling up your sleeves to support your team, we want to hear from you.
What You Will Do:
* Team Leadership: Manage, coach, and inspire a team of Analysts and Accountants, translating departmental goals into actionable team and personal OKRs.
* Operational Excellence: Ensure KPIs and SLAs are met in line with overarching business objectives, establish robust reporting frameworks, and take ownership of reviewing monthly business and SOx controls.
* Process Improvement: Collaborate with technical, operational, and analytical departments to identify efficiencies and drive process changes.
* Stakeholder Management: Actively partner with Finance Managers, Treasury, Financial Systems, and internal product communities (such as PaaS, Corporate Accounting, and wider enterprise stakeholders) to steer business decisions and align on best practices. Keep a pulse on company product developments to understand team impact.
What You Bring to the Table:
* Experience: 5–8 years of broad Finance experience, with at least 2–3 years in a people management role building high-performing teams.
* Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field (Master’s degree is preferred).
* Skills: Demonstrated analytical mindset, deep understanding of transactional finance/payments, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment.
* Soft Skills: Exceptional communication, persuasion, and consensus-building skills with the ability to adapt your style across different cultures and seniority levels.
The Details:
* Role Type: Agency Worker / Contract
* Duration: Immediate start (mid-May 2026 at the latest for a thorough handover), with a strong possibility of extension through May 2027.
* Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week).
* Location: Hybrid working model (Mondays & Wednesdays required in the office).
* Interview Process: Fast-tracked. Only one competency-based interview stage.