Accounts Payable Manager (Hybrid)

Department: Accounts Payable
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary:

Procurement and Payment Services (PPS) is the single point of contact for all centralized procurement and payment activities. The Accounts Payable Manager, reporting to the Assistant Vice President of PPS, leads the Accounts Payable team of 7-8 staff. This role is responsible for managing key university-wide payment processes and systems, including invoice processing, voucher approvals, expense reports, payment requests, and direct/wire payments. The manager ensures these functions are executed with integrity, timeliness, and a high degree of independence. Success in this role requires strong collaboration across Procurement and Payment Services, other departments and schools, and the external vendor community.

Specific Responsibilities:

Accounts Payable Supervision

• Lead and manage the Accounts Payable team to ensure timely and accurate payments in accordance with University policies.
• Assign responsibilities, monitor workload, create and oversee progress on key strategic initiatives, and provide regular feedback and guidance.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and performance evaluations to support staff development and team effectiveness.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex payment issues and implement process improvements to address root causes.

Internal procedures and controls

• Ensure all procedures are clearly documented, regularly reviewed, and consistently followed.
• Maintain proper internal controls, including separation of duties, to mitigate risk.
• Develop and analyze reports, metrics, and KPIs to support operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to the content and management of the Purchasing and Payment Policy, Travel and Entertainment Policy, as well application of federal and state expense report and payment regulations. Serve as the subject matter expert on content related to payables.
• Develop audit processes to identify and reduce compliance risks; review post-audit findings and advise on related issues.
• Collaborate across functions to streamline the procure-to-pay process and drive continuous improvement.
• Stay current on payment industry trends and emerging technologies to inform best practices and enhance University operations.

Communication

• Foster strong working relationships with departments, schools and campus partners.
• Represent Procurement and Payment Services in meetings and cross-functional initiatives.
• Contribute to communication efforts, including forms, newsletters, website content, training materials, and strategic initiatives.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, management, accounting, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in accounts payable, accounting, or a related area.
• Minimum of two years of supervisory experience.
• Strong analytical, organizational, time management, and communication (oral and written) skills.
• Solid understanding of procurement and payment processes, systems, and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team, as well as collaborate effectively across an organization.
• Proficient in compiling and analyzing data to inform decisions and solve problems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and exercise sound judgment.
• Capacity to interpret and apply complex policies and procedures accurately.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a higher education or similarly complex, decentralized environment.
• Proficiency with PeopleSoft Financials.
• Experience with other accounts payable or accounting-related systems (e.g. Jaggaer, Nimbello, Blackline, OnBase).
• Familiarity with procurement and travel policy compliance in a university or non-profit setting.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a track record of contributing to process improvement initiatives or system implementations.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $78,482-$107,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.