Collection Specialist

TEGNA Inc. helps people thrive in their local communities by providing the trusted local news and services that matter most. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA reaches more than 100 million people monthly across the web, mobile apps, streaming, and linear television. This position is part of the TEGNA corporate Shared Services team with company-wide responsibility, physically located at our NBC Affiliate in Indianapolis, WTHR.

About the role

The Collections Specialist is responsible for contacting customers to ensure timely payments of accounts receivables for an assigned portfolio and working with station personnel to minimize the risk of incurring write-offs and/or credit adjustments. This individual will ensure appropriate contact with customers and station personnel is maintained per policy, fostering strong relationships for the assigned portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Perform collection activity including reviewing accounts receivable reports, performing daily analysis of balances and payments, and making customer service calls to minimize risk and implement effective solutions.
• Investigate and resolve customer issues/inquiries promptly, effectively, and professionally.
• Plan and execute periodic calls with station personnel to review account balances, update status, and decide on next actions.
• Prepare reporting and analysis as needed for review by others.
• Communicate with the Credit team regarding updates to credit profile status/ratings.
• Submit appropriate information to third-party collection agencies upon assignment.
• Identify and communicate cash-in-advance accounts with debit balances.
• Make appropriate notations on accounts in WideOrbit.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 2 years of customer service or business-to-business collections experience.
• Ability to determine which accounts require attention and prioritize daily actions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including superior customer service.
• Understanding of ‘soft’ collection methods to help customers resolve issues and set action dates with timely follow-up.
• Strong organizational skills to plan daily tasks independently.
• High-level customer service skills to help TEGNA customers resolve balance issues and provide quality service to stations.
• Proficient Excel skills, including exporting and minor formatting of results.
• Ability to run and lead remote meetings with sales and local finance teams to review accounts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or four-year degree.
• Experience in a business-to-business collection environment handling hundreds of accounts, primarily using AR Aging reports.
• 4 or more years of experience.
• Broadcast industry experience.
• WideOrbit Software experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plan options through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, including dental and vision coverage.
• Fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance.
• Disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) program with a 100% company match on contributions up to 4% of pay, fully vested from day one.
• Nine free virtual doctor’s appointments annually through Teladoc for all employees and eligible family members, regardless of medical plan participation.
• Twelve free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit and nine paid holidays per year.