Credit Control Lead
OUR MISSION
To become the car-changing destination of choice. By combining technology, media and deep automotive expertise, we've turned how people buy, sell, advertise and lease cars on its head.
What started as a simple reviews site is now one of the largest online car-changing destinations in Europe. Last year alone we grew over 50% with nearly £3bn worth of cars bought on site, while £1.8bn of cars were listed for sale through our Sell My Car service.
In 2024 we went big and acquired Autovia - creators of AutoExpress and Evo magazines - doubling our audience overnight. Together we now have one of the biggest YouTube channels in the world with almost 10m subscribers and over 1.1 billion annual views, while we sell 1.2 million print copies of our magazines and have an annual web content reach over 350million.
And we’re a long way from done!
FINANCE @ CARWOW
The finance team at Carwow goes far beyond traditional reporting; we are the operational engine that drives commercial scalability across the business. The credit control function you will lead is a talented, multi-regional group managing everything from intricate billing structures to automated dunning cycles. To take this team to the next level, we are not looking for a traditional debt-collection supervisor. We are searching for an operational powerhouse. We value high-level operational management, workflow optimisation, and process-design experience far more than a strict, traditional credit control background. Your success in this role will depend on your ability to untangle complex workflows, drive automation and AI initiatives, master systems like NetSuite and Salesforce, and seamlessly connect our financial operations with the wider commercial business. You will be taking the helm of a team that is eager for structural guidance and clear career progression, making this the perfect opportunity for a leader who excels at building scalable systems and developing people just as much as they excel at protecting the ledger.
YOUR MISSION
The Credit Control Lead position at Carwow Group offers a dynamic and challenging opportunity for experienced individuals to take on a leadership role in managing and optimizing the company's credit control processes. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining firm control over Carwow Group’s receivables while minimizing credit risk, with a strong emphasis on implementing new processes to enhance efficiency and scalability. This role is pivotal in ensuring consistent cash flow and financial stability, requiring a strong analytical mindset and exceptional communication skills. Experience in start-ups and scale-ups is sought after as the candidate will contribute to adapting credit control strategies in rapidly evolving environments.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Oversee the timely collection of outstanding debts and implement effective debt collection strategies.
Develop and implement new credit control processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Escalate and manage relationships with debt collection agencies as required.
Manage key relationships and reporting to business units and drive accountability of escalation
Manage a team of credit controllers and be responsible for prioritization and delegation within the team (5 in Portugal and 1 in London).
Lead and grow the team to ensure coverage in German and Spanish territories.
Own the credit control function for acquired businesses and manage their integration into the Group Credit Control with stakeholders.
Own the cadence, reporting, and KPIs associated with the Credit Control function.
Investigate and resolve customer disputes and queries.
Leverage experience in start-ups and scale-ups to foster innovative approaches to credit management.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Experience with building processes and implementing change within a scale-up environment.
Strong management skills: experience in leading and motivating a team, fostering accountability, and ensuring alignment with business goals.
Proven experience in managing overdue accounts and reducing Days Sales Outstanding (DSO).
Agility to adapt to new business models or geographies requiring different credit control specializations.
Experience working with Netsuite, Salesforce, Excel, GoogleSheets
Experience with international companies having operations in multiple countries.
Skilled in setting KPIs for credit control, monitoring performance, and driving continuous improvement.
Focus on streamlining processes, reducing inefficiencies, and implementing automation tools.
Proven ability to implement new processes to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of credit control.
Experience working in start-ups and scale-ups, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities they present.
Willing to travel to our Porto office on a quarterly basis.
BONUS POINTS
Proven experience managing and mentoring diverse teams, specifically navigating the nuances of remote, hybrid, and contractor setups while driving clear career progression and maintaining high morale.
A strong track record in process automation, with tangible examples of how you have previously streamlined financial workflows, reduced manual touchpoints, or successfully piloted AI tools within a finance or operations function.
Solid foundational experience in credit control or accounts receivable, giving you an immediate understanding of dunning cycles, complex payment allocations, and dispute resolution.
Advanced, hands-on experience as a subject matter expert with NetSuite and Salesforce.
Experience navigating a team through a period of high change, or scaling up financial operations within a fast-paced technology, scale-up, or marketplace environment.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
Introductory call with our Talent team
Step 1 - Interview with hiring manager
Step 2 - Task Interview with Director of Financial Control
Step 3 - Interview with CFO
Step 4 - Values Interview
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU
Competitive comp package
28 days' holiday plus bank holidays, increasing to 35 with length of service, plus extras for house moves, weddings and more!
Employee-friendly share options
Pension scheme via Royal London - up to 5% company contribution
Vitality private healthcare insurance
Life Assurance - 4x annual salary
Monthly coaching sessions with Spill - our mental wellbeing partner
Inclusive parental, partner and shared parental leave including up to 20 weeks' full pay maternity and shared parental leave, and 8 weeks' full partner pay, as well as fertility treatment and pregnancy loss policies
Bubble childcare support and discounted nanny fees for little ones
'Work from abroad for a month' annual scheme
Generous learning and development budget
£500 home office budget
Diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our culture. We know that diverse teams are strong teams, so we welcome those with alternative identities, backgrounds, and experiences to apply for this position. We make recruiting decisions based on experience, skills and potential, so all our applicants are treated fairly and equally.