Strategic Collections Specialist

Cognizant; Lexington (KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

401(k) Plan

Disability Insurance

Parental Leave

ESPP

Job summary

Cognizant is hiring a Strategic Collections Associate to manage accounts receivable portfolios in a hybrid office/remote setting. You will analyze payment activity, communicate with customers, and coordinate with Sales, Operations and Finance to resolve billing discrepancies.

The role requires a high level of organization, strong communication, and 1 year of credit/collections experience, with knowledge of Excel and Oracle preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associates degree or above preferred.
• One year of credit/collections experience preferred.
• Vestis Financial Shared Services experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Communicates with customers via phone, email, fax and letters about invoice payments.
• Follows up on collection calls with customers (external and internal).
• Resolves overdue balances and prioritizes cash collections for assigned accounts.
• Interfaces with Sales, Operations and Finance to resolve billing issues.
• Monitors customer payment patterns and maintains accurate profiles.

Skills

Communication

Analytical

Excel

Oracle

Detail-Oriented

Customer Service

Education

High School Diploma

Associates Degree

Tools

Oracle

Job description

Strategic Collections Associate

Strategic Collections Associates are responsible for the analysis and collection of assigned accounts receivable portfolios, as well as ensuring that assigned customer accounts are reconciled and accurate to facilitate timely collections inside established payment terms in a call center environment.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communicates via phone conversations, email, fax and letters with customers concerning status of invoice payments.
• Follows up on collection calls with customers (external and internal).
• Works with customers and field operations in a proactive manner to resolve discrepancies.
• Resolves all overdue account balances.
• Performs day-to-day activities that ensure effective account management of assigned collection accounts.
• Reviews open A/R for all assigned accounts and prioritize collection activities to maximize cash collections.
• Interfaces with Sales, Operations and Finance departments to resolve billing, collection and credit issues.
• Establishes strong working relationships with field team to support collections efforts.
• Monitors changes in customer financial status and payment patterns.
• Audits and maintains customer accounts to make sure terms are accurate and customer profiles have current information.
• Reviews assigned accounts to maintain accuracy.
• Reviews account status using current and historical invoicing and payment activity analysis.
• Communicates to cash operations specialist regarding cash applications to research and reconcile misapplied or payment issues.
• Manages accounts receivable for large Strategic/Cleanroom customers that impact multiple Market Centers through phone and email correspondence.
• Develops relationships with National Account Managers and Key Account Managers – as well as Market Center personnel.
• Works in conjunction with Billing Department to resolve discrepancies and customer disputes related to customized invoices.
• Manage accounts with “Purchase Order” to ensure funding, payment and timely updating.
• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

EDUCATION:

High School Diploma or equivalent required.

• Associates Degree or above preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

One year of credit and/or collections experience is preferred.

• Vestis Financial Shared Services (FSS) experience is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• High level of organizational skills, integrity and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical and problem solving skills.
• Good interpersonal skills working with internal and external customers.
• Demonstrated excellent customer service skills.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel).
• Knowledge of Oracle.
• The ability to prioritize workload and meet tight deadlines.
• Must be a self-starter, able to work independently as well as be part of a team.
• Knowledge of foreign currency exchange values preferred.
• Ability to manage an average dollar volume portfolio 3-4 times larger than a Local Collector position.
• Internal applicants – preferred 6 month average of attaining 90% or higher call volume goal.
• Internal applicants – preferred 6 month average of attaining 85% or higher call quality.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Ability to develop and maintain a positive working relationship with others.

• Supports and participates in the Company's quality standards with a continuous focus on customer service.

Environment: Office setting /Hybrid

Working Conditions:

The role is primarily performed in a professional office or remote-work environment, subject to business, client, security, and location requirements. The associate may need to collaborate across time zones, support critical period-end or transition activities, and adjust working hours when operationally necessary and permitted by local requirements. Travel may be required based on client or business needs.

Salary and Other Compensation:

Applications will be accepted until October 2nd, 2026.

The hourly rate for this position is between $18.50 per hour, depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

• 401(k) plan and contributions

• Long-term/Short-term Disability

• Paid Parental Leave

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting.

Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship now or at any time in the future.