Collections Manager en City of Cambridge

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Finance Department is responsible for the planning, implementation, oversight, integrity and reporting of the City's operating and capital finances. The Department also processes payments for real estate and personal property taxes, municipal lien certificates, motor vehicle excise tax, and water bills.  The Revenue Division is responsible for annually issuing approximately 190,000 bills and notices. All revenues are reported and processed through the Revenue Division (FY23 Budget M).

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting directly to the Deputy Finance Director, this position oversees the Revenue  Collections Office, a division of the Finance Department. The Manager supervises a team of eight staff members and is responsible for the collection of all taxes and utility payments due to the City. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, with a proven ability to provide excellent customer service. A thorough working knowledge of applicable municipal finance laws and Massachusetts Department of Revenue regulations is essential for this role.  

• Supervise and lead staff to ensure excemptional customer service is provided to all taxpayers and citizens. 
• Collaborate with the Assessing Department to ensure propert maintenance of real and personal property accounts. 
• Manage the full billing and collection lifecycle for semi-annual real estate and personal property taxes, quarterly water and sewer bills, and all excise commitments, including demands, warrants, and markings as well as refunds. 
• Oversee the Tax Title Process.
• Identify and implement systematic improvements in office processes and procedures.
• Maintain current policy and procedure documentation for the Revenue Collections Office. 
• Ensure regular training/professional development for office staff. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or equivalent combination of training, education and experience required.

• Massachusetts Collector Treasurers Association (MCTA) Certification highly desirable. Successful candidate will be required to attain and maintain MCTA certification.

• Five years or more of demonstrated successful management experience, preferably in a municipal Treasurer/Collector office.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Highly organized and detail oriented individual able to handle multiple tasks while working in both a team environment as well as independently with minimum supervision.

• Working knowledge of MUNIS and Tyler Software or similar billing and collection system. 

• Working knowledge of the applicable municipal finance laws and Massachusetts Department of Revenue regulations.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly MS Word and Excel is required. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communications skills, both written and verbal required. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer using various software programs.  Answer telephones and maintain multiple files.  May require minimal lifting of up to 10 pounds.  

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  General office environment with air conditioning and fluorescent lighting. The noise level can be high as the office is active with phone calls and walk-ins. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.  

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

Competitive benefits package including:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal Days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance of $2700/year
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement, Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter