Job Description

WHAT WE DOLula is an innovative, and human-focused FinTech company on a mission to help small businesses make cash flow. We want to make it fast, simple, Lula for people to run their business through a digital business bank account.If you're looking for a new place to call 'home' that believes in the potential of the broader SME landscape in South Africa and a place where you'll work with awesome people - then Lula's the place for you!We're making business banking fast, easy & human.OUR VALUESCollaborative - we're a clan and work together as a team, always towards a common goalCommitted - we're accountable and follow through no matter the challengeCurious - we look for better ways to do things and make a positive differenceConnected - we stay close to, learn from and look to understand each other and our customersCompassionate - we go out of our way to care about our colleagues, our customers and our communityOVERALL PURPOSEJoin our dynamic fintech company on an exciting journey in the world of collections. Lula is a fast-growing organization with a mission to support South African SMEs. We're looking for a Head of Collections and Recoveries to join our team, where you'll play a pivotal role in driving and optimising our collections and recoveries processes. This role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional leadership skills to ensure the efficient recovery of outstanding debts while maintaining positive customer relationships and regulatory compliance. If you're a seasoned Collections professional with a passion for fintech and a desire to drive efficiency while maintaining high standards, we'd love to hear from you.As the Head of Collections and Recoveries at Lula, your role will involve:

• Strategy Development: Develop and implement strategic plans and objectives for the Collections and Recoveries team in alignment with the Lula's goals.
• Team Leadership: Provide strong leadership to the collections and recoveries team, fostering a culture of excellence, professionalism, and collaboration.
• Policy and Procedure Management: Develop and maintain collections and recoveries policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Portfolio Analysis: Monitor and analyse the delinquent portfolio to identify trends, risk factors, and opportunities for process improvements.
• Debt Recovery: Oversee the collections process, including early-stage collections, negotiations, and legal actions, to maximize debt recovery while minimizing losses.
• Customer-Centric Communication: Ensure the team maintains professional and respectful communication with customers in all collection efforts, upholding Lula's reputation.
• Performance Metrics: Establish and monitor performance metrics, KPIs, and reporting systems to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the collections and recoveries operations.
• Vendor Management: Manage relationships with external debt collectors and legal partners to optimise recoveries and minimise expenses.
• Compliance and Regulations: Collaborate closely with the Head of Legal to remain on top of industry regulations, ensuring that Lula's collections practices adhere to the necessary legal requirements
• Data Analysis: Utilise data analytics and technology to enhance decision-making and identify potential opportunities for improving collection processes.
• Budget Management: Develop and manage the department budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with other departments, such as Credit, Sales, CX and Business Operations teams, to align strategies with broader business objectives.
• Training and Development: Provide training and development opportunities for team members to enhance their skills and knowledge in collections and recoveries
• Ad-Hoc Projects: Be prepared to engage in other ad-hoc projects as needed to support the team's objectives.

THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE'RE LOOKING FORTo excel in the role of Head of Collections and Recoveries at Lula, you should possess the following qualifications and skills:

• Matric/Grade 12 achieved
• A solid finance or business degree is preferable
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership position in a collections and/or recoveries environment, preferably within the financial services industry and preferably with experience dealing with business debtors
• A proven track record of consistently meeting and surpassing targets, demonstrating your ability to deliver results.
• Previous experience in mentoring and guiding team members, showcasing your leadership and coaching abilities.
• Exceptionally strong numerical ability to navigate complex financial data and make informed decisions.
• The capability to thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing environment with multiple moving parts, and a demonstrated ability to drive and implement changes and improvements.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively interact with clients, stakeholders, and team members.
• A knack for building and maintaining positive relationships with people, contributing to a collaborative team environment.

THE COMPETENCIES WE'RE AFTERAs Head of Collections and Recoveries, you should possess the following competencies:

• Leadership: History of strong leadership, building strong teams and thinking strategically.
• Problem-Solving: Exhibit exceptional problem-solving skills, with the ability to think outside the box and make quick decisions.
• Organizational Skills: Maintain a high level of organization and attention to detail in your work.
• Influence: Possess excellent influencing skills to contribute effectively to decision-making.
• Resilience: Show resilience in the face of challenges and adapt to evolving situations.
• Team Player: Embrace a team-player mindset, always ready to support your colleagues and go the extra mile for the team and Lula.
• Start-up Mentality: Understand that we're all in this together and be eager to roll up your sleeves and actively contribute to our mission.

ALL STAFF APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE WITH DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE COMPANY'S EE TARGETSPlease note that all appointments are subject to our background checking process, which may include Credit, Criminal and any other job inherent checks

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