Payment Operations Lead

The Role

Play a key role in managing £4 billion in global payments, leading a talented team, and driving a major ERP transformation. We are looking for a Payment Operations Lead who thrives in fast-paced, high-volume environments and brings a passion for operational excellence, collaborative leadership and meaningful change. This role goes far beyond overseeing daily processes. You will take end-to-end ownership from strategy to execution, guiding a dedicated team through a significant systems evolution. You will ensure the accurate, timely, and secure disbursement of over £4 billion in annual payments across our global operations.

Managing a UK team of three alongside offshore resources, you will serve as the expert and go-to contact for payment operations across the business. Your leadership will be essential as we transition to a new ERP platform, where your expertise will deliver a smooth, efficient implementation with zero disruption to our payment commitments.

What You Will Take On

• Lead and support your team: Build an environment of continuous improvement while ensuring accurate, compliant global payments.

• Own the payment cycle: Oversee end-to-end operations including supplier payments, payroll, tax disbursements, and intercompany transfers.

• Drive ERP transformation: Lead User Acceptance Testing (UAT), cutover strategy, go-live readiness, and post-launch stability for payments.

• Manage key partnerships: Strengthen relationships with external banking partners and Payment Service Providers (PSPs), collaborating closely with internal Treasury, Accounts Payable, Payroll, and IT teams.

• Uphold compliance and risk management: Maintain robust internal controls and ensure strict adherence to external financial regulations.

• Focus on continuous improvement: Introduce modern tools, automation, and refined processes that reduce risk and increase efficiency.

What You Will Bring

• Proven track record leading payment operations in a complex, high-volume environment, ideally within global retail.

• Strong leadership capability with experience developing both UK-based and offshore teams.

• Comprehensive understanding of global payment mechanisms and financial compliance standards, including AML, sanctions and treasury controls.

• Practical experience with enterprise ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle, alongside exposure to payment automation tools like Robotic Process Automation (RPA) or payment factories.

• A clear, analytical approach to problem-solving and a calm, proactive attitude toward change.

• Excellent communication skills with an ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business.

Desirable Qualifications

• Professional qualification such as ACT, CIMA, ACCA, ACA, or equivalent.

• Direct experience delivering payment transformation or system migration projects.

#LI-DC1

Benefits

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• Company performance based bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Early VIP access to sale stock
• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
• Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
• Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking
• Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
• Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.
We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email [email protected] (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.