Collections Manager (Fixed Term Contract - 6-12 Months)
The Opportunity
Red Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of our client, a specialist debt collection business, for an experienced Collections Manager to join the organisation on a 6‑12 month fixed‑term contract. The successful candidate will oversee the end‑to‑end collections and litigation lifecycle, manage key third‑party relationships, and drive improved recovery outcomes while maintaining strong regulatory compliance. This role would suit an experienced collections professional with a strong regulatory background, who is comfortable operating both strategically and operationally in a fast‑paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop, create, and execute a strategic business plan for historic and aged debt, with a focus on maximising recoveries and reducing future risk.
* Lead the end‑to‑end collections lifecycle, including pre‑arrears prevention, collections activity, litigation management, and recovery strategies.
* Work closely with litigators and legal partners to oversee cases through the litigation process and ensure commercially effective outcomes.
* Manage and oversee relationships with third‑party suppliers, collection agencies, legal partners, and external stakeholders.
* Design and implement effective pre‑arrears strategies aimed at improving customer outcomes.
* Take ownership of both internal and external late‑stage debt management activities across problematic and aged debt portfolios.
* Develop, manage, and monitor credit loss models and performance frameworks to support decision‑making and forecasting.
* Analyse portfolio performance, identify risks, and implement corrective actions to improve collection effectiveness.
* Ensure all collections and recovery activities operate within regulatory frameworks and customer treatment standards.
* Provide leadership and direction across collections activity, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.
Skills & Experience Required
* Proven experience in a senior collections, recoveries, or debt management role within regulated financial services or debt collection environments.
* Strong understanding of FCA regulations and experience operating within highly regulated frameworks.
* Demonstrated experience developing and executing collections strategies for aged, problematic, or distressed debt portfolios.
* Experience managing end‑to‑end litigation processes and working directly with legal partners and litigators.
* Strong knowledge of collections operations, arrears management, recoveries, and credit risk principles.
* Experience developing credit loss models, forecasting methodologies, and performance reporting.
* Proven capability managing third‑party suppliers and outsourced collections partners.
* Strong analytical and commercial mindset with the ability to make data‑driven decisions.
* Ability to influence stakeholders across multiple functions and operate effectively in a change‑focused environment.
* Strong leadership capability with the confidence to build and implement new strategies quickly.
Desirable Experience
* Experience working with problematic, vulnerable, or high‑risk customer debt portfolios.
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