Collections Team Leader

DWF; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

DWF is seeking a Collections Team Leader in Manchester to lead a high-performing credit and collections function. This hybrid role (3 days in office, 2 remote) focuses on cash collection, aged debt reduction, and strategic process improvements across a professional services environment.

You will work with Partners and Legal Operations, shape credit risk controls, and drive continuous improvement while leading and developing the team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading credit control, collections, or accounts receivable teams in a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of credit risk management, collections strategy, and aged debt reduction.
• Experience delivering performance improvements via KPIs, SLAs, reporting and cash collection initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management with ability to influence senior leaders and operational teams.
• Experience driving process improvement, automation and operational efficiency.
• Advanced Excel skills with strong data interpretation capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day performance and development of the collections team.
• Implement structured credit management frameworks and proactive collections strategies.
• Support working capital improvements and governance across key stakeholders.
• Drive automation, reporting, and metrics to improve efficiency and customer experience.

Skills

Team leadership

Credit control

Collections strategy

KPI/SLAs

Stakeholder management

Excel analytics

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA/AAT or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Job description

Why join us?

At DWF, we're looking for an inspiring and commercially minded Collections Team Leader to lead a high-performing credit and collections function. Based in our Manchester office on a hybrid basis (3 days in the office and 2 days working remotely), this is an opportunity to drive cash performance, reduce aged debt, and influence strategic business outcomes across a complex professional services environment. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders, lead and develop a talented team, and play a key role in shaping process improvement and operational excellence within a culture that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

As Collections Team Leader, you'll lead the day-to-day performance and development of the collections team, ensuring effective debt management, cash collection, and credit risk controls. You'll implement structured credit management frameworks, drive proactive collections strategies, support working capital improvements, and work closely with Partners, Legal Operations teams, and key stakeholders to resolve complex client issues. You'll also support credit risk management activities, including exposure monitoring, credit limit recommendations, governance, and portfolio reporting.

Alongside operational leadership, you'll champion process improvement and digital transformation initiatives across the Order-to-Cash function. You'll drive the use of automation, reporting, and performance metrics to improve efficiency and customer experience while ensuring compliance with audit, regulatory, and governance requirements. As a trusted business partner, you'll influence stakeholders at all levels, support strategic projects, and contribute to achieving the firm's cash flow and working capital objectives.

Essential

• Proven experience leading credit control, collections, or accounts receivable teams within a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of credit risk management, collections strategy, cashflow optimisation, and aged debt reduction.
• Demonstrable experience delivering performance improvements through KPIs, SLAs, reporting, and cash collection initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior business leaders and operational teams.
• Experience driving process improvement, automation, and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with strong analytical and data interpretation capabilities.

Desirable

• Experience within legal, insurance, professional services, or other highly matrixed business environments.
• Professional finance qualification such as ACCA, CIMA, ACA, or AAT, or working towards qualification.
• Experience supporting credit governance frameworks, risk assessments, and compliance activities.
• Knowledge of digital transformation tools including workflow automation, RPA, e-billing, or analytics platforms.
• Experience leading teams through change and embedding continuous improvement initiatives.

What we offer?

We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF.

We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team.

About Us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. We empower people to be themselves within an inclusive and supportive environment, enabling everyone to achieve their full potential in line with their abilities and career aspirations.