Senior Collections Manager

UW Credit Union is hiring a Senior Collections Manager to lead our late-stage collections efforts with a member-first mindset. In this role, you will oversee key areas like recovery, repossession, foreclosure, legal action, and more. Our Collections team focuses on finding the best solutions for our members while protecting the strength of our loan portfolio.

Leading a dedicated team, you’ll play a key role in keeping the team engaged, motivated, and aligned with our mission. If you're excited about leading with purpose and making a real impact through thoughtful, solutions-oriented collections work, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

We’re looking for someone who is analytical, curious, and passionate about building strong relationships. Problem-solving, spotting trends in data, and having crucial conversations should energize you. Staying ahead of changing regulations, exploring new technologies, and bringing fresh, creative ideas to the table will be part of your success. As part of a nationally recognized, people-first organization, you’ll have opportunities to grow and develop your career. If you're ready to take the next step in your collections journey, apply now!

Why Work for UW Credit Union?

Join one of Wisconsin’s premier financial institutions, a 2025 Top Workplaces USA and multi-year recipient of Madison Magazine’s Best Places to Work, Wisconsin State Journal’s Top Workplaces, and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Top Workplaces to receive:

• 21.5+ days of annual paid time off
• 2 weeks paid caregiver leave
• 2.5 weeks paid new child parental leave
• 2 days paid volunteer time
• 11 paid holidays (includes your birthday!)
• 401k company match of up to 5%, plus approximately 4% discretionary match
• Variable reward bonus
• Competitive Medical, Dental and Vision plans, including domestic partner eligibility
• Free bus pass
• Employee Assistance Program
• Hybrid work environment: minimum 3 days a week on-site (Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday)
• Starting Salary: $88,000 - $108,000; Mid-point is $98,600
• And more!

What You’ll Do

Leadership Expectations – 25%

• Champion inclusive excellence by fostering a culture where all team members feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute and grow.
• Lead with integrity and accountability, building trust through transparent communication, continuous feedback, and a growth-oriented leadership style.
• Align team goals with UWCU’s strategic priorities through effective communication, emotional intelligence, and a high-performance mindset.
• Recruit, retain, and develop top talent by cultivating diverse pipelines, coaching for performance, and creating equitable opportunities for career growth.
• Embrace and lead through change, using business acumen and industry awareness to guide the team toward innovation, operational excellence, and organizational success.

 Deliver Operational Excellence and Compliance – 25%

• Onboard, train, and support team members by providing the tools, knowledge, and guidance needed to resolve delinquent accounts and deliver high-quality member service.
• Collaborate with the Collections Manager I and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless transitions between collection stages and align strategies for consistent outcomes.
• Ensure full compliance with State and Federal regulations by maintaining up-to-date policies and procedures that reflect current legal and regulatory standards.
• Develop and enhance operational processes by conducting regular audits, monitoring performance benchmarks, and identifying opportunities for greater efficiency and accuracy.
• Oversee complex collections activities including foreclosure, bankruptcy, collateral recovery, and resolution of member complaints, ensuring timely and compliant outcomes.
• Represent the Collections department in cross-functional committees, contribute to budgeting and strategic planning, and prepare expert documentation and testimony for legal proceedings.

 Manager Loan Recovery and Credit Disposition Functions – 30%

• Drive performance by meeting department scorecard goals, ensuring the team consistently achieves KPIs, delinquency, and charge-off targets, and clearly communicating how individual efforts contribute to results.
• Create and manage role-specific scorecards by setting and tracking clear goals for each performance period to support team development and accountability.
• Ensure all late-stage collection activities, including but not limited to skip tracing, charge-offs, repossessions, and garnishments, are executed in line with internal guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Review and approve escalated items such as credit bureau disputes, loan modifications, and referrals to external collection agencies or attorneys, ensuring timely and compliant resolution.
• Advance the use of data analytics to improve collections strategies, evaluate reporting accuracy, and lead process enhancements through system testing and quality reviews.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with third-party partners, including collection agencies and legal vendors, conducting due diligence and overseeing performance in key areas like liquidation and litigation. 

Reporting and Audit – 20%

• Support regulatory examinations, internal audits, and independent reviews while maintaining accurate documentation and audit readiness across all collection activities.
• Monitor and track team member performance using established systems, holding individuals accountable to goals and ensuring continuous improvement and accountability.
• Review collection efforts on accounts before recommending legal action or charge-off, ensuring all appropriate steps have been taken in line with policy and timelines.
• Analyze delinquency and charge-off trends, prepare monthly audit reports, and provide strategic feedback to lending partners and senior leadership to enhance portfolio health.
• Maintain oversight of third-party vendor relationships by conducting regular due diligence and ensure timely, accurate reporting of charge-offs, recoveries, and annual 1099 submissions.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• 4+ years of experience in collections management.
• 6+ years of experience in late-stage collections.
• Financial services experience preferred, with knowledge of collections-related regulations, foreclosure, and repossession processes.
• Strong ability to connect with people, build trust, and lead crucial conversations with confidence and empathy.
• Proven track record of increasing team engagement and delivering constructive feedback that drives individual and team success.
• Ability to analyze data to assess performance, identify trends, and make strategic recommendations.
• Creative problem solver who is curious, continuously learning, and driven to improve processes and outcomes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a collaborative, inclusive leadership style.

UW Credit Union is dedicated to cultivating a workplace that fosters a sense of belonging for all individuals and proudly upholds the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We highly value the unique perspectives and qualities that each person brings to our organization. Our recruitment, hiring, development, and promotion processes are based on an individual’s qualifications and demonstrated abilities. Our policy is to provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. If you require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email employment@uwcu.org.