The External Debt Recovery Specialist is responsible for the strategic and operational management of the institution’s external debt recovery lifecycle. This role includes giving insight into the pre-handover strategy, which accounts are handed over and when. And subsequent to handover, overseeing the full lifecycle of externally handed-over accounts, including pre-legal, legal, and post-judgment collections, ensuring optimal recoveries, legislative compliance, disciplined file management, and value-for-money performance from external debt collection agencies and legal partners.
Education:
- BCom Accounting / Finance (Completed) or equivalent with strong credit control / collections experience
- BCom / Diploma plus Strong Credit Control Management Background and External Credit Control Management.
Advantageous but not required:
- Legal / Paralegal qualification with Credit Control Management Background or
- National Diploma / Degree in Legal Studies / Paralegal Studies with Credit Control Management Background.
Experience: Minimum 5-7 years’ experience in Credit Control.
Experience in:
- Managing high-volume debtor books
- Driving collections across aging buckets
- Improving recovery rates and reducing arrears
Hands-on experience with legal collections, including:
- Handover to external debt collectors
- Managing attorneys and legal processes
- Understanding of summons, judgments, and enforcement processes
Experience managing:
- External debt collection agencies (EDCs)
- Collection performance and recoveries
Strong focus on:
- Cash collection, not just reporting
- Decision-making on when to escalate to legal
Credit Control
- Drive targeted collection strategies to reduce late stage collection roll rates into legal handover
- Late stage collection strategies
- External credit risk strategy and recovery optimisation
Legal & External Debt Recovery
- Manage accounts handed over to
- Oversee the full external collections lifecycle, including:
- Pre-legal collections and legal recovery process
- Settlement negotiations, payment plans, and file closures
- Apply professional judgement to determine:
- Appropriate timing of handover to EDCs
- Escalation from pre-legal to legal recovery
- Withdrawal or closure of non-viable files for final approval from finance manager
- Review legal actions and recovery strategies proposed by EDCs to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with institutional policy.
Performance Analysis and Reporting
- Analyse recovery performance across EDCs, portfolios, and vintages, including:
- Legal vs non-legal yields
- Time-to-recovery and closure ratios
- Prepare management-level insights and recommendations on:
- Agency performance optimisation
- Strategy changes and handover thresholds
- Actively challenge underperformance and enforce corrective action with EDC partners.
- Monitor commission structures, legal cost recoverability, and net yield to ensure optimal value for the institution.
- Participate in EDC contract reviews, SLA setting, and performance reviews.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the primary point of contact between the institution and external debt collection agencies.
- Collaborate with internal departments, such as Admissions and Student Services, to obtain necessary information for debt recovery.
- Manage escalated queries, disputes, and complaints from students or guardians with professionalism and accuracy.
Technical Skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel. Familiarity with financial software systems is beneficial, especially Dynamics 365 F&O and Debt Collection Platforms. Strong understanding of credit control processes, governance, and compliance frameworks.
- Advanced Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse account data and identify discrepancies.
- Professional Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication abilities to interact effectively with external agencies and internal stakeholders.
- Organizational Skills: Excellent time management and organizational skills to handle multiple accounts and deadlines.
- Attention to Detail and Accuracy: Meticulous in maintaining accurate records and documentation.
- Problem-Solving and Initiative: Proactive in identifying issues and implementing effective solutions.
- Relationship Management: Ability to manage and hold external partners accountable diplomatically and effectively.
- Credit Risk and Portfolio Optimisation Thinking
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure all activities are in line with the National Credit Act and other relevant South African laws governing debt collection.
- Uphold strict confidentiality and handle all debtor information with the utmost discretion and integrity.
