CBL Properties, one of the largest mall REITs in the United States, is in search of an experienced professional to join our Legal Collections team in Chattanooga, TN. This is an opportunity to bring your business acumen, communication proficiency, legal knowledge, and assertive nature to support one of the largest and most experienced owners, developers and managers of malls and shopping centers in the United States. Headquartered in Chattanooga, CBL owns and manages a national portfolio of market-dominant properties located in dynamic and growing communities, including Chattanooga’s own Hamilton Place and Northgate Malls. Apply and see why CBL continues to earn Great Place to Work Certification™ year after year!
Job Summary: The Legal Collections Team is responsible for Escalated Collection accounts. The Legal Collections Analyst maintains, facilitates and directs appropriate and timely contact with tenants for the purpose of determining payment intentions and/or solving other issues relating to the enforcement of the lease once the matter has been escalated to Legal Collections.
The successful applicant will:
- Contact Tenants and any Guarantors on escalated collection accounts in order to resolve any outstanding lease defaults.
- Oversee and direct pending litigation to enforce the lease, gain judgement for damages and to evict the tenant as needed. Coordinate and communicate with outside legal counsel in relation to pending litigation matters and provide appropriate direction for future action. Review legal documents relating to pending collection/eviction lawsuits.
- Negotiate settlement of tenant’s obligations to Landlord (both pre- and post-judgement) and relay to senior management any proposed settlement for final approval.
- Provide consistent review of account receivable reports and other information in order to identify problem accounts in need of escalation to be escalated to Legal Collections which includes participation in monthly discussions with Director - Portfolio Operations to collaborate and coordinate on collection matters.
- As part of CBL’s Center of Excellence, ensure the highest level of accuracy and quality within a collaborative work environment.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business and/or Accounting or related field(s) preferred.
- A minimum of 4 years related professional experience required.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered (1 year education =2 years’ experience).
- Experience in Collections is strongly preferred.
- Ability to read and interpret leases and related documents as well as financial information contained in accounting software, spreadsheets, balance sheets, etc. is a must.
Skills Important for Success as a Legal Collections Analyst:
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- The ability to balance tact and diplomacy while being persuasive, persistent, and firm.
- Professional and emotional maturity, honesty, integrity and a strong sense of ethics.
- The ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
- A strong sense of teamwork and self-motivation.
- The ability to be flexible and to set and shift priorities as needed and work as an integrated member of the team.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.