Senior Manager, Credit & Collections

Job Description

Discovery, Inc. is searching for a Senior Manager – US Credit & Collections in Knoxville, TN to join our Global Business Services (“GBS”) team.

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The Senior Manager – US Credit & Collections is critical to Discovery Communications Finance and Accounting Organization. This role is integral to ensuring the Company collects their US ad sales and digital receivables. The role is responsible to plan, monitor and direct the daily activities of the Discovery Billing/Credit and Collection Department. The role will assess and develop policy and procedures, focusing on maximizing cash collections and billing management.

The Senior Manager will be expected to liaise with internal customers and act as the subject matter expert for all US Credit, Collections and A/R Master Data.

They will provide meaningful explanations related to month over month variances, trend analysis, and key performance metrics. They will have organizational ownership over several Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) operating controls and will be the functional lead and liaison to Revenue Accounting for certain month-end close activities.

Responsibilities
• Provide leadership, development and direction to the Credit & Collections team
• Develop the strategic vision and planning for the credit and collections team.
• Build and maintain strong working relationship with Ad Sales Executives
• Lead regular meetings with team and cross-functional meetings with Ad Sales Executives
• Plays active leadership role in managing free cash flow though collections initiatives and efforts
• Ensure Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are documented and followed consistently for all major processes within the department
• Ensure that the credit process, policies and activities comply with the parameters of the organization's policies and standards and appropriate legislation
• Ensure all credit data is evaluated and adheres to policies and procedures in order to approve or deny applications and monitors exposure to ensure adherence to credit limits
• Provide Ad Sales team with insight into client financial performance on a regular basis, particularly when showing signs of distress and/or delayed payments/increased DSO
• Manages credit holds using sound judgment in non-standard situations.
• Maintain visibility to our larger customers’ creditworthiness by means of periodic credit reviews.
• Direct all collection activities to ensure collections are made timely, losses are minimized, and customers are handled appropriately.
• Provide direction on high priority or high complex open A/R.
• Liaise between customer and management to resolve disputes on amounts owed.
• Identify accounts requiring legal action, bad debt or specialized processes (including bankruptcy)

Responsibilities (Cont.)
• Work with collection agencies and internal legal partners to resolve problematic accounts.
• Strategically implement and monitor key metrics (at both the individual and team levels) and collection reports to set team goals that strike a balance of driving excellence in both revenue and cash flow.
• Develop employees through coaching, mentoring, and formal/on the job training and development opportunities; actively monitor and evaluate employee performance.
• Maintain a complete understanding of all systems used in the revenue cycle to lead in the establishment of processes and to monitor effectiveness of these processes.
• Drive key performance indicators using dashboards recommended and approved.
• Establish strategies for continuous improvement of metrics and clarity of reporting.
• Partner with peers on the international team to develop/update processes and ensure consistent application across the globe.
• Work with high risk and/or highly sensitive accounts to maximize collections and minimize the risk associated with collectability and DSO.
• Design and implement best-in-class business processes to consistently achieve cash and aging targets to ensure the lowest possible DSO. Identify and pursue opportunities to improve efficiency via automation of manual processes. Monitor the effectiveness of these processes with a view towards continuous improvement.
• Perform analytical review and reporting within accounts receivable.
• Assist internal and external audit in their audit evaluation processes as requested.
• Prepares regular write off (w/o) schedules and quarterly bad debt trackers for submission to senior management.
• Prepare thoughtful analysis and presentations for management that provide insight into issues and drive decisions
• Approve and negotiate payment plans/programs for delinquent customers that are prepared by the credit analysts.
• Assist with analyzing accounts for escheatment and preparing any escheatment packets needed. Analytics are maintained on escheatment and provided to upper management.
• Other responsibilities and duties as defined from time to time.

Requirements
• 8-10 years’ experience in processing routine transactions, preferably in credit & collections and/or billing with at least 6 years in a management capacity preferably in the media industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business with Finance or Accounting major
• Experience with large ERP system (SAP preferred), strong in spreadsheet and PowerPoint skills
• Applies fundamental functional/technical and business knowledge typically gained through formal education and/or work experience to deliver assigned work.
• Ability to maintain accuracy in a very detailed work environment, highly detail oriented.
• Ability to work with agility and deliver accurate results quickly.
• Ability to work under conditions of pressure and adjust to urgent situations.
• Ability to work independently as well as working collaboratively with team members across the organization and prioritize multiple deliverables with competing deadlines.
• Attention to detail and accuracy as well as strong organizational skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships at all levels, including executives
• Proven track record of minimizing collection risk and bad debt by establishing effective credit and collection processes, thus reducing A/R delinquency and improving cash flow.
• Ability to effectively manage, lead and motivate other personnel while influencing change at all levels within the organization.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), strong interpersonal, negotiation and management skills, and strong business acumen.
• Ability to foster positive working relationships across the organization.
• Proven ability to assess new challenges, identify areas for improvements, articulate action plans to management and follow through to implementation.
• Knowledge of SOX Controls and the Overall Revenue Cycle.
• Must have the legal right to work in the United States.

It’s a plus if you have:
• Proficiency of SAP

Nearest Major Market: Knoxville

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rj62ve-18-222-69-152-42 in your application.