Associate Director, Collections

Job Summary & Objectives

The Associate Director of Collections is responsible for overseeing the firm’s global collections function, facilitating accounts receivable operations, providing innovative daily solutions, and ensuring compliance with firm and departmental policies and procedures while leading a collections team. Under the direction of the Director of Billing and Collections and in close partnership with the Associate Director of Billing, this role develops collections strategy(ies) and maintains oversight of systems, processes, and internal controls while providing overall direction and guidance for the collections team. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of leveraging strong interpersonal skills to initiate, develop, and maintain relationships with firm leadership, practice managers, partners, and clients to enhance the collection of firm accounts receivable.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Billing and Collections in efforts to effectively enforce key controls, communicate firm policies, practices, and procedures, and drive the strategic vision.
• Perform analytical review of collection cycles, evaluate procedures, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide accurate and actionable feedback.
• Assist the Director of Billing and Collections with the monthly forecasting process for receivables.
• Prepare preliminary projection targets based on inventory size, age, and status, and then provide continuous updates to those projections on a real-time basis, informing the Director of Billing and Collections about any changes in status and the best next steps.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and a positive attitude to achieve the firm’s monthly receivable goals. 
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Billing to ensure ongoing strategic oversight and offer recommendations for continuous process improvement while collaborating closely with the Director of Billing.
• Drive collection initiatives focused on reducing losses and minimizing risk exposure, emphasizing early-stage collections, and meeting the objectives of both the department and the firm.
• Participate in department management team meetings by considering how collections integrate into the overall department workflow.
• Manage accounts receivable balances, identify high-risk accounts for management, and develop and execute remediation as needed.
• Lead a team of collections coordinators to oversee workflow, coordinate assignments, and meet deadlines while coaching team members on effective daily inventory management.
• Take part in the year-end collection process by holding regular inventory review meetings and enhancing collection efforts.
• Prepare for and attend quarterly inventory review meetings with the Office and Group Heads, CFO, and Director of Billing and Collections.
• Foster and maintain client relationships to ensure prompt resolution and payment while addressing outstanding discrepancies.
• Collaborate with partners to manage their accounts receivable by keeping them updated on potential collection issues and providing advice on strategies for bringing delinquent accounts up to date.
• Support financial staff through recruitment, selection, orientation, and employee training.
• Enhance staff performance through coaching, counseling, and discipline while planning, monitoring, and evaluating job results.
• Improve staff capabilities to boost efficiency and provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

• Bachelor's degree

Preferred

• Degree in Accounting or Finance preferred

Skills and experience

• 8+ years of relevant experience in collections, preferably within a law firm or financial services environment.
• 5+ years of progressive management and leadership experience
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, using tools for compiling and analyzing data and recommending and implementing solutions to complex problems.
• Demonstrated ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, gather data, establish facts, and draw sound conclusions.
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously and create innovative solutions for complex challenges to meet strategic objectives.
• Ability to effectively manage a diverse team of employees with different skills and expertise.
• Strong leadership qualities and the ability to motivate, supervise, and train staff.
• Skill in exercising discretion with sensitive and confidential information
• Self-assured self-starter capable of thriving in a dynamic environment.
• Effective written and email communication at all levels, internally and externally.
• Needs to be results-driven.
• Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with all levels of personnel within the firm.
• Ability to adapt to various work situations and work different hours as needed.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Excel.

Preferred

• Familiarity with Collection Software and reporting; ability to leverage systems to achieve desired results.
• Proficiency in legal billing and collections software (e.g., Aderant, Elite 3E, or similar platforms)

Salary Information

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