Sr Associate, Collections (Risk)

Avant is adding to our Collections Strategy team! We are looking for a strategic, data-driven, and highly collaborative leader who is passionate about problem solving and interested in making a difference. This person will be a key member of our Collections Strategy team and will own key components of our collections framework — from strategy design to execution — with a focus on scaling performance, driving innovation, and improving customer outcomes across all stages of delinquency.. You’ll lead cross-functional initiatives, mentor analysts, and partner with product, operations, and data science to shape the next generation of digital engagement, payment plan, and recovery strategies. If you’re motivated by measurable impact, love solving complex problems, and want to help shape how a fintech company manages credit performance and customer experience then consider a career at Avant!

What You’ll Do at Avant:

• Lead the development, testing, and optimization of collections strategies across digital engagement, payment plan structures, payment arrangements, and operational workflows.

• Drive performance management and strategic planning, including setting KPIs, building dashboards, and tracking progress toward portfolio-level goals.

• Partner with data science and product teams to design experiments, test segmentation and contact models, and deploy new automation and decisioning tools.

• Act as a key liaison between credit risk, operations, vendor management, and compliance to ensure alignment and operational readiness.

• Mentor and guide analysts in best practices for data analysis, business case development, and cross-functional storytelling.

• Perform deep-dive portfolio analytics to identify emerging risks, behavioral trends, and performance drivers across cohorts and products.

• Present insights and recommendations to senior leadership, influencing strategic decisions through data-backed analysis.

• Lead enablement projects to enhance scalability, efficiency, and digital engagement effectiveness.

• Contribute to the long-term roadmap for collections innovation and customer experience improvement.

Why you’re a fit at Avant:

• 5+ years of experience in collections strategy, credit risk, or financial analytics—preferably in a fintech, financial services, or lending environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (Master’s degree or MBA preferred).

• Advanced proficiency in SQL and Excel; strong experience with Python, R, or similar analytical tools preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies that drive business outcomes.

• Proven track record of project ownership—from ideation and modeling through cross-functional execution.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, with experience influencing senior stakeholders.

• Ability to manage multiple initiatives in a dynamic environment while maintaining attention to detail and strategic focus.

• A commitment to ethical decision-making, customer empathy, and operational excellence.

Bonus Skills

• Experience with digital engagement or collections systems (e.g. LiveVox, Braze, Twilio).

• Knowledge of consumer credit products and post-charge-off servicing strategies.

• Exposure to machine learning, decision science, or automation in collections and recovery.

• Experience working with third-party vendors and managing performance optimization initiatives.

This role is based on our downtown Chicago Office, located in the Merchandise Mart. We highly value collaboration and our hybrid schedule (M, T, Th in-office) enables flexibility to balance work and individual priorities.

Compensation Range:

The base salary range for this job is USD $100,000 - USD $125,000 / Year

Employees new to Avant typically come in below the midpoint of the pay range. The compensation range is based on the level outlined in the job posting, and compensation decisions are dependent on each applicant's experience, skills and abilities. 

[If an outstanding applicant's experience and skill level is above or below the qualifications outlined in the job posting, we reserve the right to make an offer at a different level than the one listed in this job posting, which may have a different compensation range.]

This role is eligible for additional incentives, including an annual bonus. These rewards are allocated based on level, impact and performance in the role.

Our benefits include:

• Choice of great Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plan options

• 401(k) match

• Flexible Time Off

• Flexible Work Environment - (i.e. Mon/Tues/Thurs in-person)

• Generous Paid Parental Leave, Adoption Assistance and Post-parental leave ramp-up program 

• Lunch Allowance (Fooda) and In-office Snacks

• Summer Fridays 

• Fun In-Office and Virtual Social Events

• And who doesn’t love the swag

Check out our Avant Blog!

We believe that a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences helps us create the most innovative solutions for our customers. We invite you to apply to our positions even if you do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed in the description. If you’re passionate about our mission and aligned to our values, we hope you’ll come contribute to our awesome culture.

Why Avant is the place for you:

At Avant, we believe our values make a difference:

Authenticity. We show up to work as our whole selves and make sure others can too.

Collaboration. We can only succeed when we do so as a team.

Problem-Solving. The harder the problem, the more satisfying the solution.

Customer. We are all owners of the customer experience.

Initiative. Plan. Adapt. Get Sh!t Done.

We believe that great ideas come from anyone and anywhere, that everyone is an owner who drives change, and that we have more fun when we work together. We're problem solvers who love collaborating with intelligent and highly-motivated people to reshape the face of digital banking. Avant offers terrific perks and benefits, fun social events with employees who actually like hanging out together, and a flexible growth environment where trying your hand at new projects and being the active owner of your career path is encouraged and supported.