Collections Specialist

Collections Specialist

Hillside, IL

The Collections Specialist is a proactive and detail-oriented professional responsible for managing a dedicated portfolio of accounts to ensure timely payment and minimize outstanding balances. This role requires a high degree of autonomy, as you will manage your daily workflow and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and key performance indicators. You will be the primary point of contact for customer inquiries and disputes, working collaboratively to resolve issues and maintain strong client relationships.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Monitor assigned customer accounts for open balances and aging status.
• Initiate and document collections outreach via phone and email, adhering to a defined cadence for follow-up.
• Escalate accounts approaching exceeded aging to senior staff and local leadership.
• Ensure that no account reaches or remains within the company's standard aging bucket without proper documentation and approval.

• Initiate and track the lien filing process via lien software to protect the company's rights.
• Prepare and issue conditional and unconditional lien waivers, ensuring a high accuracy.
• Maintain proper records of waivers, releases, and lien filings for audit readiness.

• Serve as the direct contact for customer inquiries and follow up on tickets to ensure a timely resolution.
• Coordinate with billing and service departments to resolve disputed invoices or misapplied payments.
• Participate in weekly and monthly meetings with local and central teams to review portfolio aging trends and high-risk accounts.
• Liaise with the legal team on enforcement and escalation of collections cases.

• Ensure all customer interactions and follow-ups are meticulously documented in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM.
• Provide daily status updates and share exceptions with the working capital team.
• Assist with month-end close by ensuring all lien statuses and waiver issuance are up to date.
• Maintain local records in alignment with SOX requirements.

• Regular, consistent and necessary to meet the needs of the business
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned
• Must conduct self in an ethical, legal, and responsible manner at all times
• Must adhere to the policies, principles, and guidance within the Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct

Competencies:

Elevated professionalism which demonstrates tempered emotions, empathy, positive intent, and integrity in all interactions.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships across all levels of the organization. Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively communicate and present information one-on-one and in group situations, and outside of the company.
• Ability to solve practical problems and manage a variety of variables in situations and with problems where only limited information or standardization exists
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Must be a self-starter, independent, and strong organization skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines at any given time
• Ability to establish and build effective working relationships with colleagues and staff. Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, and cultural, and spiritual practices

Education/Experience:

• Associates degree and/or 3+ years of experience in collections
• Strong experience with ERP systems, particularly Financial & Operations, is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and manage a high volume of work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Pivot Tables and Macros, for data analysis.
• Familiarity with ticketing/case management systems is required.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The workplace is in a corporate office environment and the temperature in the work environment is usually moderate. The position's primary office is the Shared Services, Irving, TX office; however, telework or work at home, on the road, or in a satellite location for portions of the workweek may occur, depending upon project needs and requirements in coordination with your direct supervisor and/or most senior leader of your department.

• Must be able to walk, bend, stand, and reach constantly during a workday.
• Must be able to lift 15 20 lbs.
• Standing for long periods of time (4-5 hours) occasionally
• Must be able to travel via plane or car to events

Why Meriton?

• Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance
• 100% company match on 401(k) contributions, up to 6% of pay.
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Company-paid Disability insurance (short-term and long-term)
• Company-paid group life insurance
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
• Volunteer Hours
• Employee-paid supplemental insurance options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• FSA, HSA and commuter benefits options
• Paid parental leave
• Career growth and learning
• and so much more!

Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant's or employee's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.

Salary ranges listed are dependent upon a candidate's qualifications, experience, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the specific role and location.