Specialist Collections

Socket.dev; Rosemont (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev in Rosemont, IL seeks a Collections Specialist to optimize cash flow, reduce bad debt and manage outstanding balances while delivering customer-centric service. You will work with a diverse client portfolio and use modern tools to support timely payments.

Responsibilities include proactive outreach, dispute resolution, payment negotiations, and reporting on aging and performance metrics. Team collaboration is essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 2 years in B2B collections; B2C a plus.
• Waste management/construction collections experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) required.
• NACM or similar certification preferred.
• Excellent time management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of accounts to reduce past-due balances, bad debt, and DSO.
• Proactive outreach to resolve invoices, disputes, and secure payment commitments.
• Handle payments, reconcile accounts, disputes, chargebacks, and liens.
• Negotiate payment arrangements focusing on retention and satisfaction.
• Respond to service/billing questions and collect payments; assist where needed.
• Handle inbound calls for residential customers and department coverage.
• Provide reporting on collection activities, metrics, and aging.
• Maintain records in company systems ensuring data accuracy and compliance.

Skills

Customer service

Negotiation

Communication

Time management

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma

Associate or bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Power BI

ERP systems

Order to cash tools

Job description

The Collections Specialist is a vital member of a collaborative team, responsible for optimizing cash flow, reducing bad debt, and dedicated to managing and reducing outstanding balances. This role emphasizes customer-centric service, fostering relationships to support timely payments while ensuring a positive customer experience. You will work with a diverse portfolio of clients, including commercial, residential, and specialized accounts, utilizing innovative tools and collections strategies.

Reports To

Supervisor Collections

• Manage a portfolio of accounts to achieve key metrics, including reducing past-due balances, bad debt, and DSO through proactive communication and resolution strategies.
• Conduct proactive customer outreach to resolve outstanding invoices, address disputes, and secure payment commitments.
• Manage payments, reconcile accounts, resolve disputes, assist with credit card chargebacks and returned payments, and coordinate lien waiver requests to facilitate payments.
• Negotiate effective and mutually beneficial payment arrangements with customers, focusing on retention and satisfaction.
• Respond to customers regarding questions on service, billing, taking payments as well as fielding questions beyond scope of collections and billing to the best of ability.
• Responsible for inbound calls for residential customers through the Robocaller program as well as assigned department phone coverage.
• Provide reporting, updates, and progress on collection activities, performance metrics, and accounts receivable aging.
• Utilize and maintain records within the company’s systems and tools, ensuring timeliness, data accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years in Business-to-Business (B2B) collections, with Business-to-Consumer (B2C) experience as a plus.
• Waste management and/or construction collections experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) required.
• Licenses/Certificates/Designations – National Association of Credit Management (NACM) or similar is preferred.
• Excellent time-management, effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, order to cash tools, and reporting tools (e.g. Power BI).
• Must be able to work in a team environment as well as independently.
• Fluent in Spanish is a plus.
• Some regional travel may be required.

Physical Demands / Environmental Factors

• 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.
• Occasionally required to stand and walk.
• Must frequently lift and/or move up to ten pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.