Manager, Client Payments

Skills

About the Role

You will lead the end-to-end client payments function across the UK business, ensuring timely, accurate, and controlled disbursement of funds to clients and third parties. Reporting into the Director, UK Client Accounting, and working alongside another Manager, you will lead a team responsible for managing client inflows and outflows, reconciling accounts, processing artist statements, and ensuring compliance with tax and regulatory requirements. You will combine technical accounting expertise with strong leadership and communication skills, driving excellence in service delivery to agents, clients, and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Proven experience in a client accounting, payments, or finance operations role within a fast-paced environment
• Strong understanding of payment processes, banking platforms, and financial controls
• Experience managing or supervising a team, with the ability to drive performance and accountability
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Confident communicator with the ability to build relationships across departments and seniority levels
• Proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a continuous improvement approach
• Experience with NetSuite or similar ERP systems preferred

Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and develop the Client Payments team, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and adherence to company standards
• Act as escalation point for complex payment and client account matters, providing timely and practical resolution
• Establish and monitor performance metrics, driving accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
• Review and approve artist statements and payments, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance
• Monitor client account balances against show settlements in NetSuite, partnering with agent teams to resolve discrepancies
• Oversee FEU compliance, ensuring correct treatment, documentation, and readiness for quarterly submissions
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Agents, Managers, Buyers, and external Accountants to facilitate efficient settlement processes
• Act as the primary point of ownership for the end-to-end client payments process across all UK-serviced departments
• Partner closely with Agents, Assistants, Buyers, and internal teams to ensure smooth flow of funds and timely resolution of queries
• Collaborate with global Finance teams to align processes, share best practice, and manage cross-territory payment matters
• Lead the payments workstream across system migrations and operational changes, ensuring accurate recording and clear audit trails
• Support the onboarding of new departments into the UK servicing model, embedding standardised processes
• Own and monitor key operational metrics such as payment turnaround times, outstanding items, and unreconciled balances
• Provide clear and regular reporting to senior management on performance, risks, and areas requiring escalation
• Ensure all payment activity is fully documented, compliant, and audit-ready at all times
• Drive continuous improvement across systems and workflows to increase efficiency and reduce risk
• Deliver a high standard of service to internal and external stakeholders, maintaining professionalism and confidentiality

Benefits

• Access to the tools, leadership, and resources to create and drive a center of excellence
• Competitive programs to support well-being
• Collaborative environment with room to grow