The Head of Collections (UAE) owns the end-to-end performance, compliance, and scalability of UAE operations. This role is responsible for translating enterprise client expectations, regulatory requirements, and Managing Director priorities into disciplined, high-performing frontline execution.Client DetailsOur client is a fast-growing, technology-driven financial services company specializing in digital debt recovery solutions.Description* Own overall collections performance across all UAE portfolios, including recovery rates, roll rates, compliance, quality, and customer experience. * Directly lead, coach, and performance-manage all collections staff, including Senior Collections Specialists and future hires. * Build and enforce a performance-driven culture with clear KPIs, scorecards, and accountability. * Translate client strategies, regulatory obligations, and MD direction into clear operational workflows and daily priorities. * Ensure strict compliance with UAE collections regulations, data sovereignty requirements, and client-specific policies. * Act as the primary escalation point for complex customer cases, disputes, complaints, and sensitive client matters. * Partner closely with the Managing Director on hiring plans, capacity planning, portfolio readiness, and operational scaling. * Support enterprise client onboarding from an operational perspective, ensuring portfolios launch cleanly and perform to expectations. * Work with global operations, product, and compliance teams to localise tools, scripts, and processes for the UAE market. * Monitor collector activity, quality, and conduct closely, intervening early when standards slip. * Provide accurate, timely reporting on performance, risks, trends, and improvement opportunities to the Managing Director.Job Offer* Ground-floor leadership role with real scope * Strong career upside within a fast-growing global business.
* 8-12+ years of collections experience, including significant people leadership responsibility in regulated environments. * Direct experience leading collections operations in the UAE or GCC; local market knowledge is mandatory. * Strong working knowledge of UAE collections laws, enforcement boundaries, and regulator expectations. * Proven ability to drive recovery performance through teams while maintaining strict compliance and quality standards. * Experience managing relationship-sensitive portfolios for banks, telcos, utilities, BNPLs, or other regulated lenders. * Strong judgment and decision-making in high-pressure, high-consequence situations. * Credible leader with the presence to manage frontline staff and engage confidently with enterprise clients when required. * Fluent English required; Arabic strongly preferred and a meaningful advantage. * Comfortable building operations from an early-stage baseline rather than inheriting mature structures.
