Manager, Accounts Receivable Operations

Job Description

Manager, Accounts Receivable Operations

M3

Summary/objective

The Manager, Accounts Receivable Operations, leads the AR team, identifying operational and performance issues and building strategies to resolve them. This role requires proven people leadership experience, sound judgment operating within a corporate structure, and the ability to report AR performance and strategy to senior leadership. A working knowledge of collections practices is required, but the focus of this role is leading people and driving strategy, with direct involvement reserved for escalations the team cannot resolve.

Core Job Duties

• - Lead, develop, and hold the AR/collections team accountable; communicate goals, monitor performance, and provide constructive feedback that drives improvement.

• - Identify operational, process, and performance issues across the AR function and develop the strategy and action plans to resolve them.

• - Own collections strategy and execution across the portfolio, including aging review, contact cadence, payment arrangements, and escalation thresholds; drive the team to measurable, sustained improvement in past-due balances and cash recovery.

• - Establish and enforce a clear intake, research, and resolution process for customer disputes and short pays; hold the team accountable for resolution cycle time and drive documented root causes back to the billing, service, and sales teams that own the upstream fix.

• - Own AR reporting and analysis, including aging, DSO, collection effectiveness, promise-to-pay performance, dispute trends, and bad debt exposure; prepare and deliver clear, executive-level updates on AR performance, risk, and strategic initiatives to senior leadership.

• - Work cross-functionally to identify system/procedural issues and provide recommendations; identify technology solutions that improve efficiency and internal controls.

• - Serve as the senior escalation point for customer payment matters and build durable partnerships with Accounting/Cash Applications, Billing, Sales, and Client Services leadership; balance firm, consistent collection practices against protection of long-term client relationships.

Job Complexity

Works on issues of diverse scope, evaluating a range of factors and current business trends to identify root causes and develop effective solutions. Selects and adapts methods and techniques to fit the situation rather than defaulting to process alone. Acts as an advisor to the team to meet schedules and resolve complex problems, and develops and administers schedules, performance requirements, and budget responsibilities.

Interaction

Frequently interacts with senior leadership, subordinate supervisors, customers, and/or functional peer group managers, often involving matters that span functional areas, other company divisions or units, or customers and the company. Represents AR performance and strategy to leadership with professionalism and clarity, and leads cooperative efforts among members of a project team.

Supervision

Demonstrates strong people management practices, with a proven ability to develop talent and navigate difficult management situations with sound judgment. Manages, perhaps through subordinate supervisors, the coordination of the activities of a section or department with full responsibility for results, including costs, methods, and staffing. In some instances, this manager may be responsible for a functional area and not have any subordinate employees.

Experience

Typically requires a Bachelor's degree and 5-8 years of direct experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 3+ years of proven success leading and developing people in a corporate environment.

Scope

Receives assignments as objectives and independently determines how to deploy resources to meet schedules and goals. Provides guidance and direction to the team within the latitude of established company policies, and proactively recommends and drives changes to policy and procedure that affect the broader organization.

Discretion

Sound judgment and decision-making are critical to this role; erroneous decisions or failure to achieve results can add meaningful cost and impact the organization's short-term goals.