Senior Manager, Cash Collection
INSEAD · Fontainebleau
INSEAD is seeking a Manager, Cash Collection, to join our Finance and Administration department. This is a full-time, permanent contract position based at our Europe Campus in Fontainebleau. A hybrid working model is in place – 3 days on campus, 2 days from home.
The Finance and Administration Department at INSEAD encompasses a diverse range of critical functions, including Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), Finance, Legal, Procurement, Risk, and Audit. This department plays a pivotal role in ensuring the institution's financial health, compliance, and operational efficiency, supporting INSEAD's mission to deliver world-class education and research.
About the job
Reporting to the Associate Director, Accounts Receivable, he job holder is responsible for driving timely and sustainable cash collection while leading and developing a team of cash collectors. This role combines hands‑on ownership of complex or strategic accounts with accountability for team performance, process improvement, and cross‑functional collaboration. The position plays a critical role in cash flow optimization, customer risk management, and customer relationship management.
Your role within the team
Cash Collection & Credit Management
- Own end‑to‑end collection activities for a portfolio of high‑value, complex, and strategic customers.
- Proactively follow up on overdue balances, resolve disputes, and negotiate payment plans where required.
- Monitor customer credit risk, escalating concerns and recommending actions in line with policy.
- Ensure accurate cash forecasting inputs and commentary for management reporting.
- Support month‑end and quarter‑end close activities related to Accounts Receivable (cash application and receipts) and annual audit.
Team Leadership & Management
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of cash collectors, setting clear objectives and performance expectations.
- Allocate portfolios and workload effectively to optimize coverage, efficiency, and risk management.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, one‑to‑ones, and provide structured feedback and development plans.
- Act as an escalation point for complex customer cases and internal stakeholder issues.
- Support onboarding and training of new team members and foster best‑practice sharing across the team.
Process, Controls & Continuous Improvement
- Drive continuous improvement in collection strategies, tools, KPIs, and ways of working.
- Ensure adherence to internal controls, policies, and compliance requirements.
- Contribute to automation, system enhancements, and process standardization initiatives.
- Prepare and analyze KPIs (aged balance analysis, overdue %, collection effectiveness) and present insights to management.
Stakeholder Management
- Partner closely with Sales, Admissions, Financial Aid, and Finance to resolve disputes and improve cash outcomes.
- Build strong, professional relationships with customers while maintaining appropriate financial rigor.
- Provide clear, insightful communication to senior finance leadership on risks, trends, and action plans.
The ideal candidate profile
- 7–10+ years of experience in Cash Collection
- Proven experience managing or supervising a team in a finance operations environment.
- Strong track record of improving cash flow, reducing overdue balances, and managing credit risk.
- Strong working knowledge of ERP systems
- Advanced Excel skills; experience with AR reporting tools and dashboards.
- Strong negotiation and conflict‑resolution skills with customers and internal stakeholders.
- Ability to balance customer relationships with firm financial discipline.
- Analytical mindset with strong reporting and problem‑solving capabilities.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Confident decision‑maker with the ability to prioritize and manage competing deadlines.