About VIRTUS

VIRTUS Data Centres is the UK’s fastest-growing data centre provider. We own, design, build, and operate some of the most energy-efficient, flexible, and secure data centres in Europe.

In 2023, we announced our expansion into continental Europe, starting with Berlin and growing across the region. At VIRTUS, we aim to be a positive force in the fourth industrial revolution—delivering innovative solutions while staying rooted in our values: Care, Helpful, Pride, Reliability and Dedication.

Job Summary

Overall responsibility for the efficient running of the Accounts Payable Function across the UK and EMEA Group of VIRTUS entities to ensure all suppliers are paid within a timely manner within the agreed contract terms to maintain strong trusted relationships with all suppliers.

AP is key to a well-functioning Finance Team and the AP Manager will need to work closely with the other sections within Finance and wider departments across VIRTUS to provide guidance and analysis to internal and external stakeholders as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Leadership & People Management
• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to the AP team.
• Motivate, coach, and develop team members through regular feedback, training, and professional development plans.
• Set clear objectives, monitor performance, and ensure accountability across the team.
• Build a positive and collaborative working environment that supports both individual and team success.

• Responsibility for establishing and monitoring core AP KPI including the following:
  • To develop and maintain weekly & Monthly dashboard reporting and early warning escalation systems.
  • Monthly review of all aged creditors ensuring actions taken to manage long overdue creditors
  • Effective and timely communication upwards both of the status quo but also of any issues that require early intervention.
• Accountability to ensure smooth planning and operation of the regular payment runs (currently bi-weekly) and ensure that adequate controls and checks are in place such that correct and accurate payments are made to all creditors.
• Responsibility for ensuring all payments posted into SAP correctly and allocated to correct supplier or GL code including intercompany transfers. Coordinating with the Treasury function to ensure sufficient funds and notice of any unusual or unexpected upcoming transactions.
• To provide excellent customer service, manage and maintain good relationship with the internal and external stakeholders, in particular with VIRTUS’s key suppliers.
• Accountability for external AP Payment practices reporting and ensuring the VIRTUS Group is kept up-to-date with all external reporting requirements.
• Overseeing accounts payable monthend tasks, reviewing all journals and posting within the system.
• Managing the resolution of any supply issues escalated from team members or the wider business.
• Accountability for the oversight and monitoring Purchase Order requests both current and outstanding. Communication and training for the wider business in PO creation and payment issues.
• Management of monthly review of outstanding purchase orders and purchase orders that have been goods received and invoices not yet received ensuring appropriate follow up action completed by your team.
• Managing the employee expense claims process.
• To be proactive to identify continuous areas for systems and process improvements within SAP and the cash management banks the Group operates with and manage any system issues that occur relating to accounts payable. Updating and maintaining procedural and controls documentation to ensure compliance with internal audit and in the future SOX requirements.
• Leading on all Accounts Payable tasks relating to year-end and internal audit and delegating these appropriately within the Team and ensuring suitable response times.
• Responsible for the development, training and professional development of all AP staff in the Team, and ensure sustained growth in the Team to meet the continued expansion of the VIRTUS Group in the UK and EMEA.

Any other reasonable requests made by your line manager

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Qualification or an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

Experience

• SAP S/4 HANA system experience.
• Strong core AP experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity working in a mid to large AP function across multiple countries within a similar sector.
• Demonstrated ability to lead system improvements and manage the AP process end-to-end.

Skills

• Good leadership and managerial skills to effectively delegate responsibilities within the AP function and intervene when necessary.
• Organisational and motivational skills to ensure the AP Team meets all deadlines including being able to prioritise to meet deadlines and cope with fluctuations in workload.
• Strong data analysis, interpretation skills and excellent attention to detail.
• Good communication skills and comfortable with exposure to senior management.

Additional Information

This is a hybrid role, with weekly travel into central London required and some occasional travel to data centres based west of London.

In line with VIRTUS’ Vetting Policy, the successful applicant must be willing to undergo a BS7858 screening process.

VIRTUS is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.

We reserve the right to close this post for applications should sufficient applications be received.

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

VIRTUS Data Centres does not accept unsolicited support from search firms for employment openings. CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any VIRTUS employee without an active, written search agreement for a specified role will become the property of VIRTUS. No fees will be paid for candidates hired from agency submissions made without such an agreement. Existing agency partnerships must adhere to position-specific terms outlined in their agreements. Please refrain from calling or emailing regarding this matter.