Director, Collections - Strategy

First Investors Financial Services, Inc.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellantis Financial Services, Inc. is looking for a Director, Collections to enhance debt recovery strategies while ensuring compliance and maintaining customer relationships. This role will lead organizational efforts in optimizing collections through advanced technology and strategic planning.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in Finance and at least 6 years of relevant experience. Strong leadership skills and a proven track record in financial services are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years’ experience in collections or credit risk management.
• Minimum 2 years’ leadership experience in collections operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and integration of advanced collections technologies.
• Monitor and analyze delinquency trends and loss rates.
• Ensure compliance with regulations governing debt collection.

Skills

Debt Recovery Strategies

Regulatory Compliance

Leadership

Data Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business or a related field

Tools

FICO Decision Modeler

Tableau

SQL

Job description

Stellantis Financial Services (SFS) is the new captive finance company for one of the world's leading automakers and a mobility provider with iconic brands including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys.

Our exciting growth provides opportunities to advance your career as we successfully lead products and services from a small to midsize company in just a few years. Join our world class team and culture and contribute to our core mission which is enhancing our customer's experience.

Position Summary

The Director, Collections –Strategy is responsible for developing and executing enterprise-level strategies to optimize the recovery of outstanding debts while maintaining a strong customer-focused approach. This role provides strategic leadership in utilizing resources and technologies to achieve delinquency, cure, and loss mitigation goals in alignment with organizational objectives. The Director ensures all collection activities comply with policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements while driving process enhancements that improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. Success is measured through oversight of key performance metrics such as FICO Decision Modeler, FICO Optimization, dialer effectiveness (internal and FICO Flows), delinquency rates, cure percentages, and overall portfolio performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development, integration, and expansion of advanced technologies, including FICO tools, to enhance collections performance.
• Oversee system transitions, platform administration, and process improvements that increase operational efficiency and scalability.
• Maintain a customer‑centric approach to collections, balancing debt recovery with positive client relationships.
• Build and scale quality control and audit functions to ensure compliance, risk management, and operational excellence.
• Monitor and analyze delinquency trends and loss rates; adjust strategies as needed and communicate insights to executive leadership.
• Develop and implement collection strategies that maximize resources, minimize expense, and align with organizational goals.
• Ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations, company policies, and industry standards governing debt collection practices.
• Develop, update, and enforce collection policies, procedures, and protocols for business continuity, including natural disaster account blocking.
• Approve and manage collection‑related expenses, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with budget objectives.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports to senior management on performance, goals, risks, and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with cross‑functional leaders to align collections operations with enterprise‑wide strategies and priorities.
• Maintain confidentiality with regular access to specified personal information of consumers, including, but not limited to, Social Security numbers and dates of birth.
• Other duties may be assigned; responsibilities may change.

Additional Responsibilities

Perform the above‑referenced essential duties and responsibilities as well as assist in directing the work of employees assigned to the department by leading and overseeing their day‑to‑day activities and work schedules and by providing work‑related guidance to Collections Specialized Services team in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures. Although this position shall provide the authority to lead, oversee and direct the day‑to‑day work of assigned employees and to report work assessments to management, it shall not provide the authority to take the following actions: hire an employee, fire an employee, promote, or demote an employee, discipline an employee in a formal manner, reassign an employee, or alter benefits of an employee. All such decisions shall be made by the responsible senior manager(s) in consultation with the Human Resources Department.

Qualifications and Competencies Required

Required Experience:

• Minimum 6 years’ experience in collections, credit risk management, or related financial services functions.
• Minimum 2 years’ leadership experience with demonstrated success in directing large‑scale collections operations or specialized services teams.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business or a related field.

Skills Required:

• Proven experience developing and implementing strategies that balance delinquency/loss reduction with customer experience.
• Experience with FICO Decision Modeler and the optimization products.
• Strong background in regulatory compliance (FDCPA, UDAAP, state/federal lending and collections laws).
• Experience with system transitions, automation, and integration of advanced technologies (AI/RPA) in a collections environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives, manage budgets, and influence executive‑level decision‑making.
• Proven track record of achieving debt recovery targets.
• Strong technical skills from DM, Flows, SMS, Email, dialers etc.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Analytical and data‑driven mindset.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Overtime required – N/A.

Travel 0-10% – as required on an as‑needed basis.

Must have reliable transportation and live within a commutable distance to one of the following cities: Atlanta, GA; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI; Houston, TX; Phoenix, AZ.

Qualifications Preferred

• Experience – Using Google Analytics Dashboards, Tableau desktop/server, Microsoft office tools like Excel and Power point. Experience with financial services industry data, programming languages such as SQL, SASS, Power BI, A3A, etc. Experience with email, SMS software and vendors. Exposure to Salesforce CRM.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

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 essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Work Schedule

This position is a hybrid role, requiring in‑office presence based on business needs. The role requires flexibility to work various shifts to meet business needs, typically between the hours of 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend availability as needed. Travel requirements are estimated at 0–10%.

An applicant must be authorized to work in the United States to be eligible for this position. Stellantis Financial Services, Inc. will not sponsor applicants for work visas of any type for this position.

Stellantis Financial Services, Inc (SFS) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing its employees with an environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, and intimidation. It is the policy of SFS to comply with all applicable employment laws and regulations and to provide equal opportunity for all qualified persons and to not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, change of sex, and/or transgender status or any protected status. Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States. This policy applies to recruitment and placement, promotion, training, transfer, retention, rate of pay and all other terms and conditions of employment. Employment and promotion decisions will be based solely on merit, ability, achievement, experience, conduct and other legitimate business reasons.