Disbursement Manager

Job Description

Zodiac Maritime is an international ship operating company providing a full range of management services for a wide and diverse fleet of commercial ships, spanning containership to tankers, bulk carriers to PCTCs, and a growing orderbook focused on dual-fuel vessels to improve overall fleet energy efficiency.

Headquartered in London’s bustling West End, our modern, open-plan offices accommodate a growing team of over 200 people. With representative offices across Europe and Asia, our shore-based headcount grows as our fleet continues to expand and diversify, as does our dedicated crew of over 6,500 seafarers.

This is an exciting time for the company as we continue to grow and modernise our fleet and operations. We are looking for hard working and dynamic individuals to come aboard and be a part of the next generation of the Zodiac Maritime team!

The role
Position Disbursements Manager
Contract type Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Leave Cover)
Reporting to Assistant Director of Finance
Location London

Overview of role
Key responsibilities and primary deliverables
Disbursement Accounts

– Lead the Disbursements Team in processing and verifying Final Disbursement Accounts received from port agents, obtaining the necessary approvals and arranging for pending balances to be settled
– Manage the reconciliation and monitoring of port agent accounts and the resolution of queries and issues
– Ensure that net balances owing to Zodiac are recovered from agents, whilst maintaining good working relations with all key agents

System implementation and process improvement
– Oversee the transition to a new Finance ERP system from a Disbursements Team perspective, adapting the team’s processes as needed to ensure a smooth implementation
– With multiple system changes currently under way, liaise with other departments to ensure that the needs of the Disbursements team are considered as these systems are implemented
– Oversee the transition to a new Disbursements system and to a managed service arrangement in the interim phase of this implementation
– Gain a thorough understanding of the end-to-end Disbursements processes using the new system, and of the roles required in the end-to-end function.
– In the new system environment, influence commercial decisions concerning port agents, through reporting and analysis from the new tool, operational systems and the Finance system

Leadership
– Provide effective, positive and trusted leadership to the Disbursements team members as they transition through the phases of the system and business model implementation
– Lead by example in acting with integrity and upholding the highest professional standards of quality, performance and productivity.
– Fostering cross team collaboration and cooperation to deliver organizational
goals.
– Be responsible for the evaluation and development of your direct reports

Skills profile
Relevant experience & education

– Experience of managing or performing the Disbursements function within in a leading maritime organisation
– Alternatively, experience in an Accounts Payable or Accounts Receivable role involving statement reconciliations and/or working with suppliers or customers and other departments to resolve queries
– Demonstrated leadership capabilities in managing a team and setting performance
standards
– Experience of using a modern ERP system and / or of system change
– Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively build and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external contacts
– Commercial awareness and ability to apply judgement in dealing with agents
– Analytical and problem-solving capability for resolving queries and reconciling disbursement accounts
– Excellent attention to detail and the ability to identify and focus on relevant information
– Ability to take initiative and work independently, prioritising workload to manage stakeholders’ expectations
– Highly developed leadership skills with the willingness (and able) to “roll-up sleeves” and lead from the front
– Team player working closely with one colleague and as part of the wider Finance and Zodiac team
– Enjoys working within a culturally diverse, flat structured, entrepreneurial organisation

Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.