Collections Specialist

Asian Americans for Equality; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Collections Specialist to join their dynamic team. In this role, you will be responsible for recovering outstanding debts through effective negotiation and communication with residents. You will also maintain organized records and track deadlines to ensure timely completion of documentation. This position offers a unique opportunity to work within a results-driven organization that values inclusiveness and community impact. If you are passionate about helping others and have a strong background in collections, this is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those you serve.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years experience in collections and dispute resolution.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage rent collection efforts and negotiate payment plans.
• Collaborate with outside counsel on legal matters related to collections.

Skills

Collections Experience

Negotiation Skills

Communication Skills

Teamwork and Collaboration

Organizational Skills

Data Analysis

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Tools

Excel

Google Suite

Microsoft Suite

Yardi

Job description

COMPENSATION:
Stanton Norfolk offers rich benefits, recognition, opportunities for professional growth and competitive salaries. The range for this position will be between $60,000 and $70,000. Salary offers will be based on the candidate’s experience in similar roles.

JOB SUMMARY:
The Collections Specialist will be responsible for recovering outstanding debts from residents by negotiating payment plans, resolving disputes, working with outside counsel for escalated cases and referring tenants to community services for social services intervention as needed. The candidate will maintain accurate and organized records of all legal documents, correspondence, and case files in both digital and physical formats. The individual will track deadlines and ensure timely completion of all required documentation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Landlord-Tenant Collections & Dispute Resolution:

• Manage rent collection efforts, working with tenants to resolve outstanding balances and negotiating payment plans as necessary.
• Run collections report on the 15^th of each month and send first reminder notice to residents. Follow up with a phone call to residents to make payment arrangements to bring their arrears current.
• Run a second collections report on the 25^th of each month and send a second notice to residents. Follow up with a phone call to the affected residents to make payment arrangements that will make them current.
• Set-up and maintain a monthly tracker report that itemizes the amount initially in collections and the amount recovered.
• Refer residents to Community Services if social services intervention is necessary.
• Serve as a liaison between tenants, property management, and legal representatives, providing clear and timely information regarding legal proceedings and requirements.

Lease Compliance & Enforcement:

• Review lease agreements to ensure compliance with the terms and assist in enforcing tenant obligations.
• Work with property management to address lease violations and escalate legal action when necessary.

Tenant Communication & Negotiation:

• Engage with tenants professionally to resolve payment issues, minimizing legal action when possible.
• Serve as a liaison between tenants, property management, and attorneys to facilitate dispute resolution.

External Counsel & Legal Coordination:

• Collaborate with outside counsel on complex legal matters related to non-payment, lease violations, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain organized case files and assist in gathering necessary documentation for legal proceedings.
• Create and maintain a monthly report that tracks cases sent to the attorney. The report should include court filings, deadlines, case statuses and any other pertinent information.

REQUIREMENTS & COMPETENCIES:

To be successful, the Collections Associate should possess the following skills:

• Minimum of 2 years experience with collections.
• Ability to identify gaps and create improvements.
• Teamwork and Collaboration.
• Ability to apply policies and procedures to solve everyday company issues.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to adapt to the various communication styles of residents.
• Ability to write collections correspondence and collection documentation.
• Ability to work in conjunction with property managers, external attorneys, vendors, and associates.
• Must have a strong work ethic, integrity, and good business acumen.
• Proficient in the use of excel with the ability to create complex reports.
• Strong working knowledge of Google Suite and Microsoft Suite.
• Strong organizational skills, project management, and data analysis required.
• Knowledge of Yardi is a plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.

EXPECTATIONS & HOW WE WORK:
We believe that the people and the communities that we have the privilege to serve deserve our very best every day. We are a results-driven organization that focuses on inclusiveness, empowerment and impact. AAFE employees are accountable, collaborative and strong communicators with a core strength of community service and development. We are strategic thinkers who are committed to racial equality and treating each other, and the communities we serve, with respect and dignity. We have an aptitude for technology and a strong desire to continuously learn. This philosophy expands to the way we manage our work and the way we put our best foot forward. All employees are expected to adhere to the following:

• Ensure compliance with all building contract requirements and oversight agency requirements.
• Provide high-quality customer service to both internal and external partners and co-workers.
• Support efforts that ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
• Understand and embrace the value in collaborating with people of different cultures, races, genders, ethnicities, beliefs, experiences and ideas.
• An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Maintain a positive, helpful attitude.
• Enjoy your time at work!

WHO WE ARE:
Stanton Norfolk Inc. is a division of Asian Americans for Equality, Inc. (AAFE) that manages the day-to-day operations of over 1000 units of affordable housing and 100 units of commercial and community facilities across nearly 50 multifamily properties serving individuals and families in Manhattan and Queens neighborhoods, including Chinatown/Lower East Side, Flushing, and the Far Rockaways. Currently, Stanton Norfolk’s portfolio is comprised of full tax credit / affordable properties, as well as commercial spaces as part of mixed-use buildings. We pride ourselves in providing a full breadth of management services to provide quality, safe, and affordable housing; maintenance; financial reporting; and resident relations.

Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization based in New York City. Founded in 1974 in Manhattan’s Chinatown to advocate for equal rights, AAFE has transformed in the past four decades to become one of the city’s leading housing, social service and community development organizations. AAFE advances racial, social and economic justice for Asian Americans and other systematically disadvantaged communities, guided by our experiences as Asian Americans and our commitment to civil rights. AAFE is nationally recognized as an innovative affordable housing developer and property manager; we have created and preserved more than 1,000 affordable rental units in Manhattan and Queens and provided over $400 million in mortgage financing for first-time homebuyers. Through our affiliate, Renaissance Economic Development Corporation, AAFE supports immigrant entrepreneurs, offering low-interest loans and training programs. From neighborhood offices in Chinatown and the Lower East Side (Manhattan) and Flushing and Jackson Heights (Queens) we provide an array of multilingual counseling and educational programs in support of low-income tenants, seniors and immigrant youth. AAFE strives for a more equitable city, through research, advocacy and grassroots community organizing.

Stanton Norfolk, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.