External Debt Recovery Specialist

Job Advert Summary

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.

Minimum Requirements

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

Duties and Responsibilities

Credit Control

• Analyse arrears:

• Drive targeted collection strategies to reduce late stage collection roll rates into legal handover

• Define and refine:

• Handover thresholds

• Late stage collection strategies

• External credit risk strategy and recovery optimisation

Legal & External Debt Recovery

• Manage accounts handed over to

• External Debt Collectors

• Attorney

• 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:

• Recovery rates

• Cost-to-collect

• Legal vs non-legal yields

• Time-to-recovery and closure ratios

• Prepare management-level insights and recommendations on:

• Portfolio segmentation

• 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.

Functional and Behavioural Competencies

• 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.