Collections Manager

Collections Manager

About the Role

We’re looking for a tough, assertive Collections Manager with deep experience handling problem accounts, navigating litigation, and enforcing credit discipline in a fast‑paced staffing environment. You’ll lead a team of four and play a critical role in protecting cash flow, reducing exposure, and ensuring that only creditworthy clients are onboarded. This position reports directly to the Corporate Controller and partners closely with Sales, Operations, and Payroll.

Key Responsibilities:

🔹 Credit & Client Onboarding Controls

• Develop and enforce credit procedures tailored to the staffing industry’s unique risks.
• Conduct credit checks, financial reviews, and risk scoring for all prospective clients before any placements are made.
• Establish credit limits and payment terms that reflect client stability, industry norms, and historical behavior.
• Work with Sales to ensure no client is onboarded without proper credit approval and documentation.

🔹 Collections & Problem Account Management

• Oversee the full collections cycle for weekly and monthly billing, including timecard‑driven invoices.
• Manage escalated accounts, including clients with chronic late payments, disputed hours, or cash‑flow issues.
• Lead litigation efforts when necessary, coordinating with internal and external legal counsel on demand letters, settlements, and court filings.
• Implement strategies to reduce DSO, minimize write‑offs, and maintain strong cash flow in a high‑volume billing environment.

🔹 Team Leadership

• Supervise and develop a team of four collections specialists.
• Set clear expectations for outreach, follow‑up cadence, documentation, and escalation procedures.
• Provide coaching on negotiation tactics specific to staffing (e.g., disputed timecards, client approvals, vendor portals).

🔹 Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Sales to address risky clients, enforce credit holds, and resolve disputes without compromising financial controls.
• Work with Payroll and Operations to ensure accurate billing, proper documentation, and timely resolution of timecard issues.
• Collaborate with the Corporate Controller on cash‑flow forecasting, litigation strategy, and credit policy refinement.

🔹 Reporting & Process Improvement

• Maintain accurate records of credit decisions, collection activity, and legal actions.
• Produce weekly and monthly reporting on aging, DSO, high‑risk accounts, and litigation status.
• Continuously evaluate and improve collections processes, tools, and workflows to increase efficiency and reduce exposure.

Qualifications:

Required

• Strong background in collections, credit, or accounts receivable within the staffing industry or a similar high‑volume, service‑based environment.
• Experience handling litigation and working with legal counsel on delinquent accounts.
• Proven ability to manage tough conversations and enforce credit terms with confidence.
• Experience developing or refining credit policies and onboarding procedures.
• Leadership experience managing a small team.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and documentation skills.

Preferred

• Experience with vendor management systems (VMS), timekeeping platforms, and staffing‑specific billing workflows.
• Familiarity with weekly payroll cycles and the financial pressures unique to staffing.
• ERP or staffing software experience (e.g., Bullhorn, Avionté, Great Plains, etc.).

What Success Looks Like

• Only creditworthy clients are onboarded, reducing exposure and preventing future write‑offs.
• Collections team operates with discipline, urgency, and consistency.
• DSO improves, litigation is minimized, and cash flow remains strong.
• Sales and Operations respect and follow credit procedures without exception.
• The Corporate Controller has clear visibility into risk, aging, and litigation activity.