Senior Collections and Disputes Manager

Equans is looking for a Senior Collections and Disputes Manager to join our team in Newcastle Upon Tyne on a permanent basis. This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week. On offer is a competitive salary, bonus and benefits package.

The Senior Collections & Disputes Manager is accountable for leading the collections and disputes function within the Invoice to Cash process. The role ensures timely collection of receivables across Equans UK&I and effective management of customer queries and disputes. The role is responsible for leading and optimising collections and dispute processes within Equans Business Services ensuring high levels of accuracy, compliance, customer satisfaction and cashflow performance whilst driving continuous improvement and standardisation. The successful candidate will drive strategic and operational initiatives to maximise performance, manage stakeholder relationships, and lead a high-performing team to deliver continuous improvement and operational excellence across the department. The role reports into and will deputise for the Head Invoice to Cash & GPO when required. Regular travel to multiple locations (Newcastle, Wath and Haywards Heath) is required. The role is Newcastle based, being in the office a minimum of 2 days per week.

What will you deliver?

• Operational Management
  • Manage collections strategies to optimise DSO and minimise overdue debt.
  • Work closely with business stakeholders, including Finance, Contract, Commercial and legal teams to resolve issues and mitigate risk.
  • Develop best practice dispute management processes and implement within our collections management solution.
  • Drive root cause analysis and work with business partners to implement corrective actions.
  • Manage and improve processes associated with the collection of due and overdue debts, in accordance with departmental and business guidelines.
  • Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and execute the collections and disputes strategy aligned with business objectives.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance cash collection and dispute resolution processes.
  • Collaborate with senior leadership to influence policy and decision-making.
  • Lead and support projects within the department.
• Team Management & Development
  • Lead, motivate and develop the team.
  • Set clear performance objectives, conduct appraisals and oversee training and career development.
  • Foster a service-oriented culture focused on accuracy, timeliness and stakeholder engagement.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders (Sales, Customer Service, Legal, Finance) and external customers.
  • Act as escalation point for complex disputes and high-risk accounts.
  • Lead customer engagement strategies to improve payment behaviour and reduce disputes.
  • Identify opportunities to improve the business debt position, working closely with necessary stakeholders to improve department and/or business processes through the analysis of aged debt and reasons for dispute.

What can we offer you?

• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
• Life Cover equivalent to 2x times annual salary
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Holiday purchase scheme
• 2 corporate social responsibility days per year
• Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalised support programmes
• Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme
• Access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility, Encompass, RISE, WOMEN TOGETHER, Working Parents, and Young Professionals.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app

Who are we looking for?

• Strong understanding of end to end Invoice to Cash or Order to Cash
• Strong, effective leadership skills
• Flexible, agile approach in ways of working
• Confidence to lead and motivate others
• Excellent organisation and time management
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication
• Collaborates well – challenges others in a positive manner
• Negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving approach
• Passionate about process improvement and change management
• Adaptability & flexibility as required
• Advanced working knowledge of MS Office suite

Who are we?

Equans is a world leader in energy services with nearly 100,000 employees working in more than 50 countries, with an annual turnover of over 17 billion euros. In the UK & Ireland, Equans is a provider of technical, FM, regeneration and energy services – with specialist capabilities in smart buildings, green mobility, district & embedded energy and decentralised renewables. Equans’ 13,500 UK & Ireland employees combine these activities to help businesses, public sector organisations and government to embrace the energy transition towards net zero, and also the digital & industrial transitions that are redesigning the way we move, work and live. Equans is a Bouygues group company.

What’s next?

If this role is of interest to you, please click below to register, apply, and track your progress! A member of our Resourcing Team will review your application and be in touch.

As part of our commitment to better reflect the markets within which we operate, we encourage applications from women, ethnically diverse individuals and people with disabilities, along with all candidates who identify with protected characteristic groups under the Equality Act 2010. At Equans we’re committed to delivering a culture where everyone’s voice is heard and supported. We know the value a diverse workforce creates, delivering better results for our people, customers, and stakeholders. Diversity and inclusion is at the core of what we do; should you join Equans you’ll find a welcoming and open workplace where you’re supported and encouraged to be your true self at work.

You’ll also have access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility, Encompass, RISE, WOMEN TOGETHER, Working Parents, Young Professionals, Veterans and Reservists Network (VaR).

For this role, you must have evidence of the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a re-location package with this job role. Certain roles may require applicants to undergo a Disclosure check, as noted in the role requirements. The Equans Resourcing Team supports this job advert. Agency involvement is not required. All related enquiries must come to the resourcing team, not direct to Equans Managers.