Collections Specialist (Hybrid)

About the job

Celebrating 41 years in business, Rewards Network has helped restaurants increase their revenue, traffic, and customer engagement through our innovative financial, marketing services, and premier dining rewards programs. We connect diners to fantastic restaurant experiences by offering unique card-linked offers.  Our offers leverage advanced technology and powerful data analytics, providing value to our restaurants, diners, and strategic partners' loyalty programs.

Our Culture 

At Rewards Network, you will find a passionate and diverse group of professionals that enjoy working collaboratively, solving problems, and taking ownership of not only their own careers and success, but the success and continued growth of the organization. We take pride in partnering with the world's most powerful loyalty programs to bring full price paying customers and better ways to access working capital options to local restaurants. We offer a challenging and rewarding environment where you can maximize your potential.

Job Overview

The Collections Specialist drives resolution across a portfolio of recovery accounts by securing payments, settling balances, and resolving complex account issues in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. This role owns the process from outreach through resolution, maintains accurate financial records, and supports bankruptcy and litigation activity by managing case flow, documentation, and coordination with internal partners and outside counsel as needed. The ideal candidate works the process with discipline, thinks critically, solves problems proactively, collaborates effectively, and handles disputes with professionalism and urgency.

This is a hybrid position that requires in-office presence 3 days a week in Chicago (Tuesday-Thursday). 

What you’ll bring to the table: (Responsibilities) 

•    Own and manage a dedicated book of business, driving swift, professional resolution of high-value accounts while prioritizing workflow to maximize productivity and efficiency.
•    Drive high-volume outreach and response activity across calls, emails, and other correspondence to secure payments and resolve outstanding accounts.
•    Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to execute timely, policy-aligned resolutions to complex account issues.
•    Track, process, and document payment resolutions across client accounts with accuracy and urgency.
•    Balance competing priorities and stakeholder interests to resolve issues in ways that maximize recovery and protect company investment.
•    Manage bankruptcy matters from intake through resolution, including end-to-end flow management, successful recovery efforts handled in-house, and coordination with outside counsel when required.
•    Manage litigation files by maintaining organized documentation, tracking status, and ensuring timely follow-up on required actions.
•    Consistently deliver against performance targets established by management.
•    Record all activity in Salesforce and other company systems, maintaining accurate financial records including accounts receivable reports and related documentation.
•    Partner with cross-functional teams to support inquiries and issue resolution for clients in Recovery.

Do you have the right mix of ingredients: (Requirements)

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3–5 years of collections experience or comparable experience in a similar function.
• Experience managing bankruptcy and litigation accounts from intake through resolution.
• Build strong relationships through clear, professional, and effective communication.
• Negotiate effectively in a fast-paced environment to drive timely resolution.
• Apply strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to resolve complex account issues.
• Review bankruptcy notices with confidence and navigate the commercial bankruptcy process from beginning to end.
• Stay organized, manage details, and consistently deliver accurate work on time.
• Use SalesForce, AS400, Microsoft Office, and phone systems efficiently to manage workflow and maintain documentation.
• Adapt quickly, learn new skills, and take on new responsibilities with minimal oversight.
• Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

Education, Certifications and Experience: Preferred

• College degree in business, finance, or a related field.
• Experience in FinTech, financial services, or a B2B environment.

What you’ll love about us: 

Comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• This is a full-time, non-exempt position, and the base compensation for this opening in Chicago is expected to be $22-$24 per hour ($45,760 to $49,920 annualized), based on candidate experience, skills and other factors. This position will be eligible for a results-based incentive plan with a target of $15,000 annualized. 
• Competitive Paid Time Off and company holidays
• Generous dining reimbursement when you dine with our restaurant clients 
• 401(k) plan with a company match
• Two medical plan options- Standard PPO or High Deductible Health Plan (HSA with company match for HDHP participants)
• Partnership with Rx n Go, offering certain prescriptions for free
• Dental plan options and a vision plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts and a pre-tax commuter benefit program
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance Plans
• Short Term and Long Term disability 
• Company-paid life insurance and AD&D insurance, supplemental employee, spouse, and child life insurance 
• Employee Life Assistance Program
• Hybrid working space in our state of the art office downtown located by the Metra and Ogilvie train stations

Rewards Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We encourage and strongly support workplace diversity.