Debtors Manager - Student Accommodation (MDA experience), Durban

Ability Executive Recruitment | Full time

Durban, South Africa | Posted on 15/04/2026

Debtors Manager The Debtors Manager is responsible for the effective management of debtors, leasing performance, occupancy optimisation, accreditation support, funding coordination within the KwaZulu-Natal region. The role carries regional accountability for collections, arrears management, leasing execution, optimal occupancy, rental performance, funding visibility, and escalation management, ensuring buildings are fully let at approved rental levels while maintaining strong relationships with tenants, universities, funders, and internal stakeholders.

Debtors&Leasing Operations Management The Debtors Manager is responsible for all aspects of managing delinquency, debt recovery, and ensuring cash is collected as it falls due. The role has overall responsibility for all areas of credit control, including team management, collections performance, debt recovery processes, engagement with funding sources, process improvement, and leasing collaboration.

Debtors Management

Monthly interaction meetings with Debtors Clerks and Leasing to ensure appropriate action is taken and to approve legal action.

Managing Debtors Clerks and ensuring all leases are loaded correctly on the system, including renewals and signed contracts.

Ensuring rent rolls are accurate and up to date prior to billing runs.

Analysing and monitoring all debtor accounts to reduce delinquency through proactive action on non-payment and overdue balances.

Producing aged debtor reports with appropriate commentary.

Agreeing KPIs and targets with the Head of Collections and delivering against them through daily management and supervision.

Reviewing financial assessments prior to admission and escalating appropriately.

Managing legal recovery processes, including aged and complex accounts.

Engaging with funding sources to unlock payment issues.

Agreeing and managing payment plans with debtors.

Ensuring accurate processing of billings, credits, journals, and adjustments in line with internal controls.

Completing monthly pre-billing checks and sign-offs.

Supporting correct allocation of receipts and resolution of payment discrepancies.

Preparing proposals for legal action, reserves, or write-offs for approval.

Ensuring all resident communications are recorded on MDA Notes.

Supporting internal and external audits.

Preparing monthly debtor performance reports for EXCO / Finance.

Recommending internal controls to minimise fraud, write-offs, and billing errors.

Collaborating with Operations and Leasing to ensure accurate room movements, cancellations, and terminations.

Responsible for

Arrears Management

Legal Action Management

Ensuring tenant satisfaction and effective engagement.

Dealing with tenant correspondence and escalations as required.

Ensuring leases are timeously renewed and vacant rooms are let and presented appropriately.

New Tenants

Determination and recommendation of letting mandates, including rental levels.

Lease negotiations and new tenant relationship management.

Control and recordal of new leases.

Ensuring occupation targets are achieved.

Existing Tenants

Renewal of lease agreements directly or through the Leasing Department.

Ongoing tenant liaison and relationship management.

Control and recordal of renewed leases.

Leasing Activations, Occupancy&Rental Optimisation

Planning, coordinating, and executing on-the-ground leasing activations at property level.

Managing and supervising temporary leasing staff during intake and activation periods.

Monitoring leasing performance, conversions, and campaign effectiveness.

Ensuring buildings are fully let at optimal rental levels in line with approved budgets and shareholder expectations.

Monitoring vacancy risk, leasing pipelines, cancellations, and renewals.

Providing input into rental positioning and pricing strategies based on market and arrears risk.

Client, Leasing&Debtors Escalation Management

Acts as the primary escalation point for client issues relating to leasing performance, occupancy, and debtor matters within the region.

Handles complex and sensitive escalations from onsite teams, leasing staff, and debtors teams.

Ensures resolutions are delivered promptly, professionally, and in line with governance and contractual requirements.

Provides escalation feedback to clients, senior management, and internal stakeholders.

Serves as the key liaison with Universities and Financial Aid Offices for leasing, funding, accounts, and reconciliation matters.

Coordinates engagement to resolve issues impacting student funding, registration, and accommodation eligibility.

Aligns university requirements with internal leasing and debtors processes.

Escalates systemic funding risks and issues to management.

Accreditation&Compliance Support

Assists with annual accreditation and re‑accreditation processes required by Universities and Funding Bodies.

Coordinates preparation and submission of accreditation documentation.

Ensures ongoing compliance with accreditation conditions during the academic year.

Coordinates inspections, audits, site visits, and follow‑up actions.

Oversees all university and funder‑related payment portals and systems.

Ensures accurate submissions, reconciliations, and tracking of funding claims and payments.

Acts as the account owner for resolving portal‑related issues, access problems, and data discrepancies.

Ensures alignment between portal data and internal billing and debtor records.

Acts as the go‑to person for regional university and funding intelligence.

Gathers information relating to funding policy changes, academic calendars, financial aid processes, and institutional requirements.

Provides management with timely, accurate information to support daily operational decisions related to leasing, funding, arrears, and occupancy.

Flags emerging funding risks impacting cash flow or leasing sustainability.

People Management&Supervision

Provides leadership, direction, and supervision to assigned personnel.

Conducts regular team meetings and performance reviews.

Identifies training needs and ensures appropriate development.

Implements corrective action where performance standards are not met.

General Responsibilities

Ensures work areas and records are secure, organised, and compliant.

Completes all work accurately and within agreed timelines.

Assumes additional responsibilities as required to support operational objectives.

Fully Occupied Buildings&Shareholder Value

Keeps abreast of market trends, competitive developments, and tenant movement.

Represents the Company at relevant meetings and functions.

Ensures leasing, collections, funding alignment, and accreditation collectively support full occupancy and sustainable returns.

Requirements

Matric

3‑5 years experience in Debtors Management

Property industry experience ESSENTIAL

Must have experience using the MDA system

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