Team Lead Finance Operations (AP & FBS)

Team Lead Finance Operations (AP & FBS)

argenx

Ghent, Belgium

The Team Lead Finance Operations (AP & FBS) is responsible for the end-to-end operational delivery of Purchase-to-Pay processes (PR → Pay), covering Accounts Payable and Finance Business Support activities.

The role ensures reliable, efficient, and compliant service delivery, while executing limited operational tasks and leading a team responsible for PR support, invoice processing, and payment execution. In addition to operational excellence, the Team Lead plays a key role in driving process discipline, standardization, and continuous improvement across the Finance Operations landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the AP & FBS team: coach, develop, and manage performance, capacity, and workload across geographies; support hiring and evaluations in collaboration with the Director Finance Operations & Travel;
• Ensure accurate and timely execution of PR support (FBS), PO creation and approvals, invoice processing, and payment execution & controls;
• Act as process and system expert, providing day-to-day guidance, driving resolution of complex cases, and contributing hands-on to operational delivery where needed (e.g. peak periods, escalations, or coverage gaps);
• Own operational performance: define and monitor KPI’s and SLA’s (backlog, throughput, service quality) and proactively close performance gaps;
• Foster a high-performing team culture through regular feedback, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.

Process Governance & Transformation

• Ensure consistent PR → Pay execution across all entities, enforcing process discipline (No PO No Pay, approval workflows) and maintaining strong collaboration with Procurement, Finance, and Vendor Master Data teams;
• Own the Finance Business Support (FBS) function as first-line support for business users, ensuring high-quality PR guidance, strong process adoption, and structural fixes for recurring issues;
• Act as primary escalation point for business, vendors, and internal stakeholders;
• Drive continuous improvement and automation (e.g. invoice automation, touchless processing, standardisation) and support the Finance Operations transformation agenda as a key operational counterpart for system enhancements.

Controls & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to internal controls, financial policies, and audit requirements, supporting internal and external audits on AP and P2P processes;
• Safeguard data quality and financial accuracy across all P2P activities.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field;
• 10 years of experience in Finance Operations/P2P, including at least 5 years in team leadership responsibility;
• Strong experience in Accounts Payable and operational P2P processes;
• Proven ability to manage teams in a multi-country/global environment;
• Strong coaching and communication skills; ability to translate people insights into actionable plans;
• Strong stakeholder management skills across Finance, Procurement and business functions;
• Experience with ERP systems (Oracle Cloud preferred) and AP automation tools;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset;
• Fluent in English; fluency in Dutch recommended.