Job Description

A hiring opportunity exists at the iMasFinance Cooperative Head Office in Centurion to fill the above senior management position. Preference is given to qualifying candidates from the designated groups, in support of the iMas transformation strategy.

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Debt Collections, Asset Recoveries and Member Administrative Support:

• Is responsible for the entire collection's operations process from inception until recovery.
• Oversees and leads the implementation and execution of all strategic priorities and operational tactics within the credit verifications, debt collections, accounts management, member administrative support and asset recovery functions for iMasFinance and manage people practices for the unit.
• Supports the Managing Executive responsible for financing (loans) to drive the financial responsibilities underlying commercialization of products and services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND OUTPUTS

• Strategic oversight and adherence to NCR and FICA compliance and implementation of iMas's Verification Standard Operating Procedure for granting of credit.
• Develop and implement strategies and tactical plans for the collection of debts and amounts in arrears.
• Manage bad debts, advances in arrears and bad debts recovered within agreed levels and in accordance with iMas's policies.
• Manage and maintain Standard Operating Procedures and policy for the governance of activities in the Arrears Management function.
• Implement business processes and measures to automate the collection of amounts in arrears.
• Appoint and manage the panel of external debt collectors (EDCs), attorneys, and other external vendors to render services to iMas.
• Provide technical and strategic advice about debt collection services and procedures, both externally (including EDCs, attorneys, and auctioneers) and internally.
• Provide insight to the iMas Management and Credit Committee on trends in collections and possible amendments to iMas's credit appetite.
• Ensure collection channels (salary deductions, debit orders and DebiCheck) are available and operating optimally.
• Engage with employer group management in resolving any collections related matters - act as link between external employer partners and the iMas Group Brand Ambassadors.
• Strategic engagement with external stakeholders, industry and agreed partners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with identified bodies and partners.
• Inspirational and visionary leadership, providing positive influence on the organizational culture and climate relating to peers, direct reports, and a large number of indirect reports.
• Implement and oversee talent attraction and retention, people development and performance management within the department.
• Manage the operations of a centralized contact center to offer back-office support to iMas members (customers).

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications, Accreditation & Registration:

• Bachelors Degree in Business Management /Administration or in other relevant and equivalent fields.
• An Honours or Master's Degree in the afore-mentioned fields will be an advantage.
• Valid Driver's License (manual operated vehicle) - Essential / Minimum.

Experience

• 6 to 8 years Debt Collection experience in the financial services industry at operational level
• 3 to 5 years Debt Collection experience in the financial services industry at senior management level

Knowledge and Skills

• Risk, technological and financial acumen, keeping abreast of best practices, interpersonal relations, time management.
• Corporate credit, collection agencies, legal and compliance procedures, credit risk and account management skills and knowledge.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the full credit lifecycle including acquisition, fraud, account management, collections, and recoveries.
• Thorough understanding of the financial services industry from a business perspective
• Ability to deal with uncertainty and make decisions with limited information, thus action oriented.
• Balance commercial debt recovery, compliance and risks and act in the best interests of members to achieve positive outcomes.
• Knowledge of Loan Applications/Software or other enterprise software.
• Knowledge of Customer Relationship Management Applications/ Software
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency, with advanced Excel skills.
• Proven leadership, people management and change management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.

iMasFinance