Legal Collections Analyst

CBL Properties, one of the largest mall REITs in the United States, is in search of an experienced professional to join our Legal Collections team in Chattanooga, TN. This is an opportunity to bring your business acumen, communication proficiency, legal knowledge, and assertive nature to support one of the largest and most experienced owners, developers and managers of malls and shopping centers in the United States. Headquartered in Chattanooga, CBL owns and manages a national portfolio of market-dominant properties located in dynamic and growing communities, including Chattanooga’s Hamilton Place and Northgate Malls. Apply and see why CBL continues to earn Great Place to Work Certification™ year after year!

Job Summary: The Legal Collections Team is responsible for Escalated Collection accounts. The Legal Collections Analyst maintains, facilitates and directs appropriate and timely contact with tenants for the purpose of determining payment intentions and/or solving other issues relating to the enforcement of the lease once the matter has been escalated to Legal Collections.

The successful applicant will:

•  Contact tenants and all Guarantors on escalated collection accounts to resolve lease defaults.

• Manage and direct all pending litigation related to lease enforcement, including pursuing judgments for damages and coordinating tenant evictions when necessary. Collaborate with outside legal counsel on active legal matters and provide strategic guidance on next steps. Review and evaluate legal documents associated with collection and eviction proceedings to ensure accuracy and compliance

• Negotiate settlement of tenant’s obligations to Landlord (both pre- and post-judgement) and relay to senior management any proposed settlement for final approval.

• Conduct ongoing analysis of accounts receivable reports and related data to identify delinquent or high-risk accounts requiring escalation to Legal Collections. Participate in monthly meetings with the Director -Portfolio Operations to coordinate strategies, align collection priorities, and collaborate on resolution plans for problem accounts.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business and/or  Accounting or related field(s) preferred.
• A minimum of 4 years related professional experience required.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered (1 year education =2 years’ experience).
• Experience in Collections is strongly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret leases and related documents as well as financial information contained in accounting software, spreadsheets, balance sheets, etc. is a must.

Skills Important for Success as a Legal Collections Analyst:

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• The ability to balance tact and diplomacy while being persuasive, persistent, and firm.
• Professional and emotional maturity, honesty, integrity and a strong sense of ethics.
• The ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• A strong sense of teamwork and self-motivation.
• The ability to be flexible and to set and shift priorities as needed and work as an integrated member of the team.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.