Senior Manager, Accounts Receivable

Introduction

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Manager, Accounts Receivable to lead Optimizely’s cash collection and forecasting function. This role is pivotal in ensuring strong liquidity management, predictable cash flow, and effective working capital performance.

The Senior Manager will combine hands-on leadership of collections with strategic responsibility for cash forecasting, leveraging automation, AI-driven analytics, and process transformation to scale AR operations globally. You will partner closely with Finance, Sales, and Customer Success and Legal to ensure timely customer payments, improve forecasting accuracy, and drive continuous improvement across the order-to-cash lifecycle.

Job Responsibilities

Cash Collection & AR Operations

• Lead, coach, and develop the Accounts Receivable team to deliver best-in-class cash collection results.
• Serve as the point of escalation for payment, cash application, and dispute resolution issues.
• Ensure adherence to company policies around collections, write-offs, and AR balances.
• Attend key customer meetings to strengthen relationships and resolve high-value or strategic collection issues.
• Drive initiatives to reduce Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and improve collection effectiveness across regions.

Cash Forecasting & Analytics

• Own and manage the global cash forecasting process, ensuring reliable short-, medium-, and long-term projections.Leverage data analytics and predictive modelling to identify payment trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Provide actionable insights and scenario analysis to senior leadership to support strategic decisions.
• Develop and maintain KPIs, dashboards, and reporting to track forecast accuracy, collection performance, and risk exposure.

Process Improvement & Automation

• Drive the digital transformation of AR by implementing automation tools, AI-driven collection strategies, and real-time reporting solutions.
• Continuously review and optimize processes to improve efficiency, scalability, and accuracy.
• Partner cross-functionally (Finance, Sales, Legal, Customer Success) to enhance order-to-cash processes and customer experience.
• Benchmark Optimizely’s AR operations against industry best practices to ensure market-leading performance.

Leadership & Business Partnership

• Act as a trusted business partner to Finance leadership, providing regular updates on collection performance, forecast outlook, and risk management.
• Facilitate monthly AR performance reviews with senior management.
• Ensure the AR team is appropriately resourced, trained, and empowered to operate effectively.
• Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement within the AR function.

Knowledge and Experience

• 5+ years’ experience in cash collections, AR management, and forecasting within a global, fast-paced environment (SaaS or technology preferred).
• Proven track record of delivering improvements in DSO, cash forecasting accuracy, and working capital performance.
• Demonstrated experience implementing or leveraging automation and AI/data-driven forecasting tools.
• Strong knowledge of direct debit collection processes and international payment methods.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems experience; exposure to BI/reporting platforms and automation technologies highly desirable.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior executives and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrable ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Professional qualification (ACCA, ACA, CIMA) or relevant degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.

Competencies