Senior Manager, Accounts Receivable & Collections

Morningstar•Chicago, IL

25d•$121,400 - $186,150•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Accounts Receivable – Collections (AMER) leads collections operations for Morningstar US, with primary accountability for the Chicago-based team and oversight of an overseas team that reports to this role for day-to-day operations and guidance. This position does not have billing responsibilities; the focus is squarely on collections execution, escalation management, and team leadership across the region. This role partners across six Morningstar business segments to ensure collections OKRs are met, building trusted relationships with stakeholders in each business while leading a team that spans time zones and reporting lines. The Sr. Manager is also responsible for developing the professional growth path of direct reports, using a trust-based leadership style that emphasizes empowerment over oversight. The Morningstar Finance team handles everything “money” across the organization, including accounting, quote-to-cash, payroll, compliance, and budgeting for our fast-paced and growing company, and supports the business by providing actionable insights on financial health.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
7+ years of progressive experience in collections or accounts receivable, including at least 3 years in a leadership or people-management role.
Demonstrated experience managing or guiding distributed or international teams, including teams outside a direct reporting line.
Experience supporting multiple business units simultaneously, with the ability to build credibility and relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, both written and verbal.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to managing OKRs and collections performance.
Experience with Salesforce, Oracle ERP, and Sidetrade or similar collections platforms preferred.
Ability to operate effectively across time zones and in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a Chicago-based team of three, providing coaching, performance management, and day-to-day direction on collections activities for Morningstar US.
Provide day-to-day operational guidance and direction to an overseas collections team, ensuring consistent standards, workflows, and service levels despite the distributed reporting structure.
Own collections OKRs across six Morningstar business segments, building and maintaining trusted relationships with stakeholders in each business to ensure goals are met.
Develop and execute collections strategies that reduce past-due balances, improve DSO, and minimize bad debt exposure across the AMER portfolio.
Use a trust-based, empowerment-driven leadership approach to build individualized professional development and career road maps for each direct report.
Monitor and report on key collections metrics, translating data into insights that inform decision-making at both the team and business-segment level.
Partner with the overseas team's local leadership to align on priorities, resolve roadblocks, and maintain a unified collections process.
Identify and lead process improvement initiatives and special projects as they arise, partnering with Finance, Sales, and Customer Success as needed.
Ensure compliance with internal controls and collections-related policies across all supported business segments.
Escalate and help resolve complex or sensitive account issues, partnering with senior leadership on risk management where needed.
Support the vision and values of the company by setting an example and demonstrating desired behaviors.

Benefits

100% 401k match up to 6% of salary
Stock Ownership Potential
Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission
Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages
Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance
Trust-Based Time Off
6-week Paid Sabbatical Program
6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave
Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave
Adoption Assistance
Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses
Tuition Reimbursement
Charitable Matching Gifts program
Dollars for Doers volunteer program
Paid volunteering days
15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups