Summary

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.

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