Head of IP Payments

This role oversees a centralised Payments Hub with a global remit, ensuring that payments related to the full lifecycle of IP activities are executed accurately, efficiently, and compliantly.

This is a highly impactful role that partners closely with Finance functions (P2P, O2C, Treasury, Accounting), global IP operations, and external agents and authorities.

About Protect
 

We help Protect our customers'  ideas and innovations

Key Deliverables

• Implementation of a Target Operating Model to support and deliver IP Payments, Invoicing and Reconciliation operations across Protect Delivery.
• Ensure IP Service customers receive a world-class service.
• Continuously review and improve processes to drive an efficient IP Payments, Invoicing and Reconciliation service.
• Partner across Finance functions to ensure consistent delivery and reporting.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

Payments & Financial Operations

• Lead all global outgoing payments associated with IP services, including official fees, agent fees, maintenance/renewal fees, translations, and client-related disbursements.
• Deliver accurate, timely, and compliant execution of payments across all jurisdictions.
• Oversee the end-to-end invoicing process to ensure high levels of billing accuracy, customer transparency, and financial compliance.
• Manage reconciliation of payments, invoices, agent bills, and official receipts across multiple financial systems.
• Drive standardisation, process optimisation, and automation across payments workflows

Governance, Controls & Compliance

• Establish strong financial controls and ensure full audit readiness across payments, invoicing, and reconciliation processes.
• Maintain compliance with global financial regulations and jurisdiction-specific IP requirements.
• Monitor cashflow needs and collaborate closely with Treasury and Accounting

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a key partner to Finance teams (P2P, O2C, FP&A, Internal Audit) to ensure end-to-end alignment of financial processes.
• Collaborate with IP Operations, Client Services, and external agents or authorities to ensure seamless payment lifecycle management.
• Act as the operational escalation point for payment queries, discrepancies, and urgent fee requirements.

Technology, Systems & Data

• Lead system improvements and integrations between IP management tools, finance systems, and workflow/automation platforms.
• Identify and sponsor automation opportunities (e.g., RPA, exception-based workflows, data validation).
• Use financial and operational data to drive performance insights and continuous improvement.

Leadership & Team Management

• Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing global payments team operating across multiple time zones.
• Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, customer focus, and operational excellence.
• Set KPIs, monitor performance, and implement continuous training and development programs.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in payments operations, P2P/O2C processes, financial operations, or shared services within a global environment.
• Strong understanding of IP lifecycle processes and IP-related fee structures (highly desirable but not essential).
• Demonstrated experience managing global teams and leading process improvements at scale.
• Strong analytical mindset with proficiency in ERP systems, financial platforms, workflow tools, and automation technologies.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence across functions and geographies.
• High attention to detail, strong problem-solving ability, and a proactive approach to risk management.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, complex, and matrixed organisation.
• Commercially orientated.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Excellent communication skills.

Life at RWS - If you like the idea of working with smart people who are passionate about growing the value of ideas, data and content by making sure organizations are understood, then you'll love life at RWS. 

Our purpose is to unlock global understanding. This means our work fundamentally recognizes the value of every language and culture. So, we celebrate difference, we are inclusive and believe that diversity makes us strong. We want every employee to grow as an individual and excel in their career. 

In return, we expect all our people to live by the values that unite us: to partner, putting clients fist and winning together, to pioneer, innovating fearlessly and leading with vision and courage, to progress, aiming high and growing through actions and to deliver, owning the outcome and building trust with our colleagues and clients.

RWS embraces DEI and promotes equal opportunity, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. RWS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at RWS are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation. RWS will not tolerate discrimination based on any of these characteristics. 

RWS Values 

Get the 3Ps right – Partner, Pioneer, Progress – and we´ll Deliver together as RWS.

Recruitment Agencies: RWS Holdings PLC does not accept agency resumes.  Please do not forward any unsolicited resumes to any RWS employees.  Any unsolicited resume received will be treated as the property of RWS and Terms & Conditions associated with the use of such resume will be considered null and void.