Collections Manager

Impact: Financial recovery, Risk mitigation

Oversee and manage the collection of outstanding debts from individuals or businesses, developing strategies to minimize losses and improve recovery rates.

What the day looks like

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
60% Team / 40% Solo
Client facing
Frequent
Impact visibility
High
Travel
Minimal
Schedule flexibility
Flexible
Remote work
Hybrid
Typical work hours
40-50 hours/week
Stress level
High

At a glance

Median salary
$85,000
Entry-level
$55,000 - $75,000
Senior
$110,000+
Growth by 2033
4% (average)
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Low
Salary growth potential
Moderate to 50-70% growth from entry to senior
Typical student debt
$20,000 - $40,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

  • Debt Collection Software
  • Financial Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Data Entry
  • Reporting
  • Account Management

Soft skills

  • Negotiation
  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Empathy
  • Organization
  • Conflict Resolution

Technical complexity: Moderate

How to get there

Minimum education
Bachelor's Degree
Licensing
No
Years to mid-career
5-8 years
Years to senior
10-15 years
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

    Where you can go from here

      Typical progression

      1. Collections Specialist
      2. Senior Collections Specialist
      3. Collections Manager
      4. Director of Collections

      Future outlook

      Automation probability
      30% to some tasks can be automated, but human judgment remains crucial
      AI disruption risk
      Moderate
      Demand trend
      Stable

      How people feel about it

      Overall satisfaction
      3/10
      Meaning
      2.8/10
      Work-life balance
      5/10
      Prestige
      6.5/10
      Social perception
      Moderate

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