Head of Trade and Working Capital Solutions Data and Emerging Technology

Citigroup Inc.; London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial services company in London is seeking a Head of Trade and Working Capital Solutions Data and Emerging Technology. This pivotal role will drive the strategy surrounding data management and emerging technologies within the organization. The successful candidate will lead initiatives, recruit and mentor multifunctional teams, and establish critical practices in digitization and innovation in trade finance. Candidates should possess a strong background in financial services and exceptional leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Progressive experience in data management, analytics, and emerging technologies.
• Experience in financial services, ideally in trade finance or working capital solutions.
• Track record of leading large, diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and initiatives related to data and emerging technologies.
• Develop data governance and quality management frameworks.
• Drive integration of digital assets and tokenization.

Skills

Exceptional leadership

Strategic and analytical skills

Client management

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Data analytics platforms

Blockchain technology

Job description

Overview

Head of Trade and Working Capital Solutions Data and Emerging Technology

Reporting to: Head of Trade and Working Capital Solutions

Citi’s Services business operates in over 90 countries delivering a comprehensive suite of financial solutions including Payments, Liquidity, Cash Management, Working Capital, Investor and Issuer Services, crucial for enabling global commerce and client operations. Trade and Working Capital Solutions (TWCS) within the Services organization is a dynamic, high growth global business that provides critical services in Trade Finance, Payables Finance, Receivables Finance and Export Agency Finance to clients across the Corporate Bank, Banking and International and Citi Commercial Bank client segments.

Role Overview: The Head of Trade and Working Capital Solutions Data and Emerging Technology is a managing director responsible for leading the strategy and initiatives related to data and cutting-edge emerging technologies across the TWCS business. This senior role drives innovation, business growth, optimizes operations, and establishes new business capabilities through advanced data practices and the adoption of transformative technologies, particularly in digitization of trade, digital assets and tokenized finance.

The role defines and executes a forward-looking, multi-year data and emerging technology strategy and roadmap for TWCS, ensuring alignment with Services and the Bank's broader digital transformation and strategic objectives. The role will manage product development including technology book of work planning, governance and execution.

Core Responsibilities:

A. Data Strategy & Execution

• Data Management: Establish and enforce robust data governance, quality, and lifecycle management frameworks for all TWCS data, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and regulatory compliance.
• Data Analytics: Lead development and implementation of advanced data analytics capabilities. Extract actionable insights from complex datasets to optimize trade finance operations, identify new business opportunities, and enhance risk management strategies.
• Data Platforms & Engineering: Oversee design, development, and maintenance of scalable, secure, and resilient data platforms and engineering solutions that support diverse data needs, integrating traditional and emerging data sources.
• Data Services: Develop and manage a comprehensive portfolio of data services to facilitate seamless data access, integration, and consumption across internal stakeholders and external partners.

B. Emerging Technology

• Strategic Exploration & Integration: Drive identification, evaluation, piloting, and integration of transformative emerging technologies relevant to TWCS.
• Digital Assets & Tokenization: Co-lead initiatives with Product Heads on adopting and integrating digital assets, including tokenization of trade instruments and other assets, to enhance efficiency, liquidity, and transparency.
• Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) & Smart Contracts: Lead assessment and deployment of DLT-based solutions, including smart contracts, to automate trade finance processes and improve data integrity.
• Stablecoin Integration: Evaluate potential and lead integration of stablecoin solutions for cross-border payments, settlement, and other use cases in trade finance.

This is a leadership position responsible for recruiting, mentoring, and leading a high performing, multidisciplinary team of data scientists, data engineers, blockchain specialists, technology innovators and product developers, and fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning. The role requires operating effectively within a complex global matrix organization and building strong relationships with business units, product, operations, technology, legal, compliance and risk teams across regions to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Finance, or a related quantitative field.
• Progressive experience in data management, data analytics, data platforms, digital products and emerging technologies, with substantial experience in financial services, ideally within trade finance or working capital solutions.
• Proven track record of managing and leading large, diverse, geographically dispersed teams.
• Extensive experience operating in a complex, global matrix organizational structure.
• Deep understanding of the trade finance industry, its data, technology, and current and future challenges.
• Demonstrable expertise in emerging technologies such as blockchain, digital assets, tokenization, stablecoins, and smart contracts with successful project implementations.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and drive strategic initiatives across all levels of the organization.

Skills

• Exceptional leadership, influencing, and execution in a complex matrix organization (regional and global).
• Superior strategic and analytical skills to translate insights into actionable business and product strategies.
• Outstanding execution and prioritization, managing dual mandates and delivering the strategic agenda.
• Excellent client management, deal negotiation, and communication skills at all senior levels.
• Superior organizational skills, managing competing priorities and complex portfolios.
• Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation.

Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor\'s degree or equivalent required; Master\'s degree preferred.

Equal opportunity statement: Citi is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodations for accessibility during search and/or application process are available upon request.