Manager, Financial Operations and Disbursements

Job Details: Job Location: Allied Benefit Systems - CHICAGO, IL, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $75000.00 - $80000.00Salary, Job Category: Accounting & Finance, POSITION SUMMARY  The Manager, Financial Operations and Disbursements leads the end-to-end financial operations that move funds from allocation and approval through payment, reconciliation, and reporting. This role is accountable for accurate, timely, and secure disbursements; effective financial controls; and reliable workflows that support compliance, operational efficiency, and scalability. The manager oversees payment processing, exception resolution, passthrough vendor payables, and related receivable and close activities, partnering with accounting, compliance, treasury, program management, vendors, and other internal stakeholders. This position also leads and develops team members, establishes clear expectations, monitors operational performance, and drives continuous improvement while maintaining documentation and controls that protect assets and support audit readiness.   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS  Manage end-to-end workflows for fund allocation, approvals, and disbursements; establish priorities, coordinate handoffs, and monitor completion to meet payment deadlines and operational requirements. Maintain and monitor financial controls, approval requirements, and documented procedures to support compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and applicable accounting standards, including GAAP; identify control gaps and coordinate corrective actions. Oversee the preparation, validation, submission, reconciliation, and monitoring of disbursement files; investigate rejects, reversals, and exceptions, ensure timely resolution, and address recurring causes. Maintain clear documentation of payment activity, anomalies, investigations, and resolutions; communicate material issues, operational impacts, and corrective actions to appropriate stakeholders. Oversee accurate, timely, and secure payment processing, including checks, wire transfers, ACH/NACHA processes, and other disbursement methods; validate required approvals and payment information before release. Develop and maintain productive vendor relationships; address inquiries, resolve payment and reconciliation discrepancies, and coordinate with internal departments to ensure consistent service and seamless financial workflows. Evaluate and improve financial processes, strengthen controls, and identify automation opportunities that reduce manual work, errors, and costs; coordinate implementation, maintain procedures, and assess results. Monitor operational data and key performance indicators, including payment accuracy, timeliness, exception trends, and outstanding reconciliations; identify bottlenecks and report progress, risks, and improvement opportunities. Support and manage assigned month-end and year-end close activities, including accruals, journal entries, account reconciliations, financial analysis, and reporting; investigate variances and ensure supporting documentation is complete and submitted on schedule. Monitor and report cash activity related to passthrough vendor payables and associated receivables; coordinate collections and payment timing, reconcile outstanding balances, and escalate funding or collection issues that could affect timely disbursement. Maintain complete, accurate transaction records and supporting documentation to provide transparency and audit readiness; respond to requests for information and support the resolution of identified issues. Partner with accounting, compliance, treasury, and program management teams to clarify responsibilities, resolve cross-functional issues, and maintain effective handoffs across financial workflows. Lead, coach, motivate, and develop team members. Conduct one-on-one meetings and performance appraisals, identify growth opportunities, and attract new talent. Clearly communicate expectations and provide employees with the training, resources, and information needed to succeed. Actively engage, coach, and counsel employees and provide timely, constructive performance feedback. Other duties as assigned.   EDUCATION Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.   EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS At least 5 years of relevant experience in financial operations, accounting administration, or disbursement management, with demonstrated sustained performance and impact at the team or process level; relevant third-party administrator (TPA) accounting experience required. At least 3 years of experience at a supervisor level, with successfully demonstrated leadership competencies, including coaching and feedback, accountability, collaboration, decision making, execution management, customer focus, and people leadership reqired. Experience managing claim-based revenue, receivable and payable cycles, payment processing, and related reconciliations. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to validate large data sets, identify trends and discrepancies, determine root causes, and translate findings into practical improvements. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for financial analysis, reconciliation, and reporting; intermediate Microsoft Access skills preferred. Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing demands, allocate work, manage financial workflows, and meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy and effective controls. Effective written and verbal communication, collaboration, and people leadership skills, including the ability to set clear expectations, develop employees, provide constructive feedback, and resolve cross-functional issues. Proficiency with accounting and financial systems and a strong understanding of financial reporting, account reconciliations, accruals, journal entries, and month-end and year-end close activities. Strong research, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to resolve complex accounting and financial issues, assess operational risk, and escalate concerns appropriately. Working knowledge of checks, wire transfers, ACH/NACHA processes, payment file controls, and exception resolution, with the ability to apply relevant procedures and requirements. Knowledge of internal financial controls and applicable accounting standards, including GAAP, with the ability to maintain accurate documentation and support audit readiness. Demonstrated ability to improve processes, use operational metrics to monitor results, and implement workflow or automation changes in partnership with stakeholders   POSITION COMPETENCIES Accountability Coaching and Feedback Collaboration Customer Focus Decision Making Execution Management People Leadership   PHYSICAL DEMANDS  This is a standard desk role requiring extended sitting and computer work.    WORK ENVIRONMENT Remote    Here at Allied, we believe that great talent can thrive from anywhere. Our remote friendly culture offers flexibility and the comfort of working from home, while also ensuring you are set up for success. To support a smooth and efficient remote work experience, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 100Mbps download/25Mbps upload. Reliable internet service is essential for staying connected and productive. The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. Compensation is not limited to base salary.  Allied values our Total Rewards, and offers a competitive Benefit Package including, but not limited to, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance, Generous Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, EAP, and a Technology Stipend. Allied reserves the right to amend, change, alter, and revise, pay ranges and benefits offerings at any time.  All applicants acknowledge that by applying to the position you understand that the specific pay range is contingent upon meeting the qualification and requirements of the role, and for the successful completion of the interview selection and process.  It is at the Company's discretion to determine what pay is provided to a candidate within the range associated with the role.Qualifications: