Senior Collections and Disputes Manager

Equans is looking for a Senior Collections and Disputes Manager to join our team in Newcastle Upon Tyne on a permanent basis. This is a full‑time role working 37.5 hours per week. On offer is a competitive salary, bonus and benefits package.

The Senior Collections & Disputes Manager is accountable for leading the collections and disputes function within the Invoice to Cash process. The role ensures timely collection of receivables across Equans UK&I and effective management of customer queries and disputes.

The role is responsible for leading and optimising collections and dispute processes within Equans Business Services ensuring high levels of accuracy, compliance, customer satisfaction and cash‑flow performance while driving continuous improvement and standardisation. The successful candidate will drive strategic and operational initiatives to maximise performance, manage stakeholder relationships, and lead a high‑performing team to deliver continuous improvement and operational excellence across the department.

The role reports into and will deputise for the Head Invoice to Cash & GPO when required.

Equans Business Services have multiple locations (Newcastle, Wath and Haywards Heath); regular travel to these and other locations is required.

The role is Newcastle based, being in the office minimum 2 days per week.

• Manage collections strategies to optimise DSO and minimise overdue debt.
• Work closely with business stakeholders, including Finance, Contract, Commercial and legal teams to resolve issues and mitigate risk.
• Develop best practice dispute management processes and implement within our collections management solution.
• Drive root cause analysis and work with business partners to implement corrective actions.
• Manage and improve processes associated to collection of due and overdue debts, in accordance with departmental and business guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and regulatory standards.

• Develop and execute the collections and disputes strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance cash collection and dispute resolution processes.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to influence policy and decision‑making.
• Lead and support projects within the department.

• Lead, motivate and develop the team.
• Set clear performance objectives, conduct appraisals and oversee training and career development.
• Foster a service‑oriented culture focused on accuracy, timeliness and stakeholder engagement.

• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders (Sales, Customer Service, Legal, Finance) and external customers.
• Act as escalation point for complex disputes and high‑risk accounts.
• Lead customer engagement strategies to improve payment behaviour and reduce disputes.
• Identify opportunities to improve the business debt position, working closely with necessary stakeholders to improve department and/or business processes through the analysis of aged debt and reasons for dispute.

• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
• Life Cover equivalent to 2× annual salary
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Holiday purchase scheme
• 2 corporate social responsibility days per year
• Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training and personalised support programmes
• Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme
• Access to our growing employee networks including Access Ability (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), WOMEN TOGETHER (representing women in Equans), Working Parents and Young Professionals.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and access to a mental wellbeing app

• Strong understanding of end-to-end Invoice to Cash or Order to Cash
• Strong, effective leadership skills
• Flexible, agile approach in ways of working – the ability to change priorities at short…