Senior Payments Officer

A top tier, rapidly growing transportation company, with a focus on high value transportation investments in shipping, intermodal, aviation, and rail, is seeking to hire a Senior Payments Officer for its treasury team with at least 5 years of relevant work experience. The individual will join a new growing, diverse and multi-jurisdictional accounting & finance team to support a growing ship owner group structure (the 'Group').

We seek candidates with strong treasury and payments experience, preferably with shipping, or transportation related background, within an international group setting. The ideal candidate will have experience in working in a dynamic team and will be a strong collaborator who is able to work independently with a 'can do', hands-on attitude, to produce results in a demanding, fast-paced and international environment. Excellent communication in English, and a strong work ethic, are key perquisites for the role. The role will be situated in Cyprus and will be reporting to the Payments Manager.

Key tasks & responsibilities:

• Be part of the payments team reporting to the Payments Manager.
• Support the execution of weekly payment cycles through the treasury management system or banking portals ensuring sufficient funds are available in the asset owning entities in the structure for execution of payments.
• Track effective payment execution and report to the Payments Manager of any issues as well as proposing a course of action.
• Ensure proper processes are followed and controls are maintained at all times.
• Support the Payments Manager with daily funding and payment requirements - planning and executing funding payments or withdrawals from various entities within the Group's banks to maintain liquidity, minimize interest costs.
• Monitoring and reporting on cash balances and transactions, coordinate and perform controlled independent call backs for new beneficiaries and create payment templates, in line with approved treasury protocols and procedures.
• Maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, internal and external.
• Assist with monthly management reporting on cash balances by account, type, including the reporting of cash returns and trends.
• Support the Payments Manager with treasury management system implementation requirements pertaining to payment processes and controls, system / feed trouble shooting, and ongoing resiliency of the end to end treasury systems infrastructure.
• Drive ad hoc initiatives (e.g. system changes; new jurisdiction coverage; driving effectiveness/efficiency/scaleability proposals) and results (e.g. process improvement, proposals for cost savings etc).
• Management of corporate credit card schemes across multiple jurisdictions.
• Assist with debt facilities management where required, ensuring loan records are up to date.
• Communication with various banking partners, covering among others the opening & closing bank accounts, handling of payment issues, fulfilling KYC requirements, within the Company's governance structure.
• At all times adhere to internal policies and procedures of the Treasury department and the Group.
• Any other ad-hoc tasks assigned from time to time by the Payments Manager or the Group Finance & Strategy Director.
• Support system testing, provide user feedback, and assist in automation initiatives.
• Ensure proper adherence to treasury controls (e.g. call backs, payment templates, user access limits) and assist in maintaining/updating documentation.
• Handle any other routine operational matters with banks such as , account maintenance, and basic KYC requirements.
• In time, report on operational liquidity planning, and support Controllers with periodic cash flow forecasting where required.
• Prepare data for monthly cash reporting, highlight variances or unusual trends for management review

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, presentation)– excellent knowledge of the English language is expected with ability to interact with key stakeholders.
• At least 5-10 years of previous experience as a treasury or payments officer, ideally in the shipping industry.
• Demonstrable strong performance record.
• Familiar with Treasury Management Systems, ERP systems, and in using modern / advanced technology.
• Proactive, diligent, reliable, driven and self-motivated, with willingness to adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong multi-tasking and organisational skills, delivering quality results within set deadlines.
• Willingness to develop professionally through ongoing feedback and quality improvement initiatives.
• Competent with new and existing technologies (automation, new system rollouts).
• Rigorous, methodical, analytical.
• Understanding of internal controls and compliance in payment processes
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• Understanding of finance, accounting rules etc. Team collaborator that builds long term relationships.
• Takes responsibility and effectively prioritizes workload to deliver on commitments.
• Proactive, reliable, with demonstrated ability to work under pressure and willingness to adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong multi-tasking and organizational skills, attention to detail and pride in the quality of their work.
• Anticipates problems; is prepared with solutions.
• Excellent communication skills in English, including written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Effective at building collaborative, constructive relationships to make informed decisions that meet client/customer/stakeholder needs.
• Loyal, honest team player.
• Demonstrates openness to feedback and willingness to learn from mistakes.