Director of Collections & Recovery

Employment Type: Full Time, Hybrid

Pay

Salary Range: $114,953.66–$137,944.40 with an annual award opportunity based on individual and credit union performance.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Generous paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and paid parental leave
• Learning and development programs, plus tuition reimbursement
• Free telemedicine
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness initiatives
• Paid Community Action Volunteer Hours
• Parental Leave and Tuition Reimbursement available after one year of service

About the role

The Director of Collections and Recovery is accountable for leading and advising the Collections and Recovery departments, utilizing expertise to guide best practices and department strategy. The primary focus is on supporting the credit union’s strategic objectives, ensuring efficient operations, excellent member service, and continuing to drive progress within the collections and recovery functions. This position will foster exceptional service for both internal and external members, as defined by living and demonstrating the core values of the credit union: Act with Integrity, Drive Progress, Build & Strengthen Relationships and Keep People at the Core.

About Advia

Advia is a fast-growing Credit Union positioned in the top 3% of credit unions across the United States. We serve almost 200,000 members with assets over $4 Billion. We offer very similar products and services as the big banks with a focus on saving our members money while providing financial advantages. We are rooted in our communities and believe we have a responsibility to give back outside of our four branch walls through volunteering and charitable donations. The work environment at Advia is fast-paced, performance-based, and fun-infused. We live by the saying "work hard, play hard." As an employee of Advia, you can expect regular and constructive feedback, development opportunities, great benefits, excellent co-workers, and engaged managers.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic vision and leadership to manager(s) and individual contributors by inspiring and building a high-performing team, maximizing productivity, efficiency, and innovation while staying connected to the credit union's strategic vision, mission, and goals.
• Leads the overall strategy, design, and execution of collections and recovery programs across multiple loan products (e.g., auto, mortgage, credit card, personal, commercial real estate loans, etc.) and all delinquency stages including bankruptcy, optimizing cure rates and liquidation.
• Builds sophisticated contact strategy capabilities, leveraging member segmentation, channel optimization (digital, phone, mail), and rigorous test-and-learn approaches.
• Identifies and drives operational efficiencies through process re-engineering, Request for Proposal (RFP) processes for new technology, and system integration, ensuring cost-effective and compliant operations.
• Partners closely with Compliance to ensure absolute adherence to all applicable state and federal regulations, including Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Reg F, UDAAP (unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices), bankruptcy laws and processes, etc., mitigating regulatory exposure.
• Cultivates a learning environment that supports professional development, continuous skill building, and career growth. Promotes collaboration and effective communication within the team and across departments.
• Owns third-party vendor relationships management across pre- and post-charge-off collections; sets performance expectations, monitors detailed scorecards, and drives accountability for collection and recovery goals.
• Oversees the collection of past due consumer, indirect, commercial, and residential mortgage loans, including restructuring or liquidation of collateral on non-accrual and classified loans. Proactively secures and manages the disposition of repossessed collateral for all secured loans (e.g., vehicles, shares, real estate, etc.).
• Establishes, monitors, and reports on KPIs for all recovery programs, including cure rates, liquidation rates, Right Party Contact (RPC) rates, Quality Assurance (QA), and compliance metrics. Implements results, metrics, and develops accountability standards.
• Influences stakeholders and the Executive Team with clear, concise, and data-driven insights and recommendations on portfolio health, recovery performance, and strategic direction.
• Represents the collections organization in key cross-functional forums focused on enhancing member experience, defining regulatory strategy, and managing portfolio risk.
• Must comply with applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Patriot Act, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control. All employees must follow policies and procedures to minimize risk by exercising judgment, raising questions to management, and adhering to policy guidelines.

Requirements

• Eight to ten years of similar or related experience, including preparatory experience.
• A college degree and a professional certificate or a postgraduate degree.
• Ability to motivate or influence internal or external senior-level professionals, requiring a significant level of influence and trust.
• Obtaining cooperation and agreement on important outcomes via frequently complex, senior-level dialogues, as well as a professional level of written communication skills.
• Specific experience in debt collection required.
• Willingness to travel throughout Michigan on a routine basis for court appearances and other purposes.
• Comfort with minimal administrative support.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Strong computer skills and/or experience with document management systems.
• Knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework affecting consumer collections including but not limited to CFPB rules, the FDCPA, and applicable state laws.

Physical Requirements

• Perform primarily sedentary work with limited physical exertion and occasional lifting of up to 10 lbs.
• Capable of climbing/descending stairs in emergency situations.
• Able to operate routine office equipment.
• Able to routinely perform work on a computer for an average of 6-8 hours per day, when necessary.
• Able to work extended hours whenever required or requested by management.
• Capable of regular, reliable, and timely attendance.

Working Conditions

• Able to routinely perform work indoors in climate-controlled shared work areas with minimal noise.

Mental and/or Emotional Requirements

• Able to perform job functions independently or with limited supervision and work effectively either on own or as part of a team.
• Able to read and carry out various written instructions and follow oral instructions.
• Able to speak clearly and deliver information in a logical and understandable sequence.
• Capable of dealing calmly and professionally with numerous different personalities from diverse cultures at various levels within and outside of the organization and demonstrate highest levels of customer service and discretion when dealing with the public.
• Able to perform responsibilities with composure under the stress of deadlines, requirements for extreme accuracy and quality, and/or fast pace.
• Able to effectively handle multiple, simultaneous, and changing priorities.
• Capable of exercising the highest level of discretion on both internal and external confidential matters.