Collections Manager

About the role

The Hotel and Property Tax Collections Section is responsible for collecting approximately $100 million in hotel occupancy taxes annually on behalf of Harris County. The division ensures that all hotel operators are properly registered and remit the full amount of taxes due. In addition, the team manages the collection of property taxes, ensuring that all payments are processed accurately, efficiently, and in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Provides oversight and direction to the Collections staff in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Supervises, trains, and evaluates collections staff; assigns responsibilities, provides guidance, and fosters a professional and collaborative work environment.
• Ensures all collection activities comply with applicable laws, county policies, and financial controls.
• Ensures that deposits made via remote lockbox scanner are processed accurately and timely by the bank.
• Prepares hotel occupancy tax collections report and submits to the Accounting Division for disbursement of collected funds to the County.
• Verifies that files submitted by Commercial Portfolio clients balance with corresponding payments received.
• Communicates with the County Attorney’s Office and Linebarger law firm to correct property tax account payments.
• Receives, reviews, and prepares hotel occupancy tax refund requests submitted by individuals, corporations, and the State Bar of Texas.
• Responds to taxpayer inquiries, resolves complex account issues, and maintains positive relationships with property owners, hotel operators, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Experience: Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in tax collection, revenue administration, or financial operations. Minimum of two (2) years in a supervisory/leadership role overseeing staff or departmental functions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of property tax laws, hotel occupancy tax regulations, and electronic payment systems is highly desirable
• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
• Strong knowledge of property and hotel occupancy tax collection laws, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex statutes, ordinances, and financial regulations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, financial systems, spreadsheets, and database management software.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for internal and external stakeholders.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in data and financial reconciliation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive matters.

Preferences

• Experience in a government or public sector environment.

General Information

• Working Hours: Monday-Friday
• Subject to overtime and weekends
• Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in an office setting subject to frequent interruptions with extensive work at a computer workstation and site visits to various Tax Offices, Harris County and community facilities, both outdoors and indoors.
• Flexibility to work evening and weekend hours and occasional overnight travel to conferences and training sessions required.
• Physical Demands: This role is a standard office role that requires remaining stationary for long periods of time and communicating effectively in person, by phone, and electronically. At times, boxes or equipment must be transported weighing up to 30 lbs. It may at times involve long periods of standing, walking, bending, reaching, stretching, climbing, lifting or similar activities (e.g., filing, delivering, sorting).
• Regular application of basic skills (calculator, keyboard, hand tools, eye/hand coordination).
• Work Location: 1001 Preston Houston, TX 77004
• Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
• This Position will be Open Until Filled with Applications Reviewed on a Rolling Basis. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.