Manager, Cash Collection

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, the 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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.