Manager of Client Payments

Requirements

• Proven experience in a client accounting, payments, or finance operations role within a fast- paced environment
• Strong understanding of payment processes, banking platforms, and financial controls
• Experience managing or supervising a team, with the ability to drive performance and accountability
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Confident communicator with the ability to build relationships across departments and seniority levels
• Proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a continuous improvement approach
• Experience with NetSuite or similar ERP systems preferred

What the job involves

• United Talent Agency (UTA) is seeking an experienced Manager, Client Payments to join our growing Finance & Accounting team in London
• This role will play a key part in leading the end-to-end client payments function across the UK business, ensuring timely, accurate, and controlled disbursement of funds to clients and third parties
• Reporting into the Director, UK Client Accounting, and working closely alongside another Manager, the successful candidate will lead a team responsible for managing client inflows and outflows, reconciling accounts, processing artist statements, and ensuring compliance with tax and regulatory requirements
• The successful candidate will combine technical accounting expertise with strong leadership and communication skills, driving excellence in service delivery to agents, clients, and stakeholders
• Manage, mentor, and develop the Client Payments team, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and adherence to company standards
• Act as escalation point for complex payment and client account matters, providing timely and practical resolution
• Establish and monitor performance metrics, driving accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellenceClient Payments
• Review and approve artist statements and payments, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance
• Monitor client account balances against show settlements in NetSuite, partnering with agent teams to resolve discrepancies
• Oversee FEU compliance, ensuring correct treatment, documentation, and readiness for quarterly submissions
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Agents, Managers, Buyers, and external Accountants to facilitate efficient settlement processes
• Act as the primary point of ownership for the end-to-end client payments process, ensuring consistency, control, and clarity across all UK-serviced departments
• Partner closely with Agents, Assistants, Buyers, and internal teams to ensure smooth flow of funds, clear communication, and timely resolution of queries
• Collaborate with global Finance teams to align processes, share best practice, and manage cross-territory payment matters effectively
• Lead the payments workstream across system migrations and operational changes, ensuring accurate recording, clear audit trails, and no loss of control over funds held on account
• Support the onboarding of new departments into the UK servicing model, embedding standardised processes and ensuring a seamless transition
• Own and monitor key operational metrics (e.g. payment turnaround times, outstanding items, unreconciled balances), taking action where required
• Provide clear and regular reporting to senior management on performance, risks, and areas requiring escalation
• Ensure all payment activity is fully documented, compliant, and audit-ready at all times
• Drive continuous improvement across systems and workflows, identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance service delivery
• Deliver a high standard of service to both internal and external stakeholders, maintaining UTA’s standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and trust

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