Head of Collections

Talently; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Talently in New York seeks a Head of Collections to shape strategy across the delinquency lifecycle and build a data-driven, accountable organization. The role leads collections and recovery from early miss to write-off, with cross‑functional partnerships across Legal, Credit Risk and Finance.

You will design scalable operating models, establish KPIs, coach leaders, and drive improvements in recovery outcomes while guiding a growing team in a fast‑paced fintech lending environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in collections, recovery or related functions.
• 3+ years in senior collections leadership.
• Experience leading a function through managers or team leads.
• Proven ability to establish KPIs, performance standards and accountability.
• Experience in small-business lending, fintech lending or comparable high-velocity lending.
• Knowledge of delinquency and recovery lifecycle including Default & Legal.
• Experience designing incentive compensation for collectors.
• Strong executive communication and cross-functional leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Own collections and recovery strategy from first missed payment through default, legal escalation, third-party recovery and write-off.
• Build a scalable operating model and refine collection strategies based on portfolio performance, borrower risk, account size, aging and recovery probability.
• Establish clear escalation criteria across Collections, Default, Legal and external recovery channels.
• Create and maintain individual, team and departmental KPIs, reporting and performance-review cadences.
• Lead and develop a team through managers and team leads, strengthening delegation, accountability and leadership depth.
• Use portfolio and employee performance data to identify trends, coach talent, address underperformance and improve results.
• Review collector compensation and incentive plans to align employee behavior with recovery and portfolio objectives.
• Partner with Legal, Underwriting, Credit Risk, Finance, Data & Analytics, Product and Engineering to improve recovery strategy, reporting and operations.

Skills

Collections leadership

KPI management

Strategy development

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional leadership

Fintech lending

Staff development

Executive comms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance

Job description

Location: Hybrid - New York, New York, United States

About the Financial Services Company / The Opportunity:

A growing company in the financial services industry provides flexible financing to businesses nationwide. As its portfolio and lending volume expand, the organization is investing in the leadership, processes and infrastructure needed to scale its Collections and Recovery operation. The Head of Collections will shape strategy across the full delinquency lifecycle and develop a data-driven, accountable organization prepared for continued growth.

Responsibilities:

• Own collections and recovery strategy from first missed payment through default, legal escalation, third-party recovery and write-off.
• Build a scalable operating model and refine collection strategies based on portfolio performance, borrower risk, account size, aging and recovery probability.
• Establish clear escalation criteria across Collections, Default, Legal and external recovery channels.
• Create and maintain individual, team and departmental KPIs, reporting and performance-review cadences.
• Lead and develop a team through managers and team leads, strengthening delegation, accountability and leadership depth.
• Use portfolio and employee performance data to identify trends, coach talent, address underperformance and improve results.
• Review collector compensation and incentive plans to align employee behavior with recovery and portfolio objectives.
• Partner with Legal, Underwriting, Credit Risk, Finance, Data & Analytics, Product and Engineering to improve recovery strategy, reporting and operations.

Must-Have Skills:

• 8+ years of progressive experience in collections, recovery, servicing, workout, credit risk or related functions, including 3+ years in senior collections leadership.
• Experience leading a collections function through managers or team leads, with demonstrated success delegating and developing leaders.
• Proven ability to establish and enforce KPIs, performance standards and accountability, including coaching employees and addressing sustained underperformance.
• Experience in small-business lending, commercial lending, alternative finance, fintech lending or a comparable high-velocity lending environment.
• Knowledge of the full delinquency and recovery lifecycle, including Default, Legal, outside counsel and third-party collection agency escalation.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret portfolio data and translate findings into operational decisions.
• Experience designing, managing or refining incentive compensation for collectors or another performance-driven organization.
• Strong executive communication and cross-functional leadership skills.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Direct experience with merchant cash advance, revenue-based financing, daily- or weekly-payment loans, or similar small-business financing products.
• Experience managing portfolios with frequent ACH-based repayment schedules.
• Background with an alternative lender, fintech, specialty finance company or non-bank SMB lender.
• Experience leading a collections organization of approximately 10 or more employees and developing front-line managers.
• Experience determining legal escalation strategy and managing collections counsel, agencies or recovery vendors.Experience scaling collections through portfolio growth or changes in loan mix or risk profile.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance or a related discipline.