Senior Legal Counsel

Citigroup Inc.; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job description

Are you looking for a career move that will put you at the heart of a global financial institution? Then bring your skills in analysis, problem solving, communication, relationship management and organisation to Citi’s Markets Legal Contract Management Team.

By Joining Citi, you will become part of a global organisation whose mission is to serve as a trusted partner to our clients by responsibly providing financial services that enable growth and economic progress.

Team/Role Overview

An opportunity has arisen in the Belfast Markets Legal Contract Management team for a prominent in-house counsel role to support key Sales and Trading businesses primarily the FX, LM, Rates and Corporate Solutions businesses. This role will involve working closely with internal clients as well as Sales and Relationship Managers and Citi Product Legal Counsel/Country Counsel in negotiating, reviewing, and analysing legal documentation for the key businesses in which we support. This role requires a pragmatic, proactive attorney with thorough understanding of the Business, combined with a solid conceptual/practical grounding in the laws and regulations for the geographies in which we operate. The role requires input into strategic decisions, exercising sound legal judgement to develop proactive, risk-appropriate, and commercially practical business-oriented solutions.

What you’ll do

• Be responsible for providing legal counsel to the Business, participate in strategic initiatives, provide subject matter expertise and interpretations of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices, and advise business management on legal matters impacting the business.
• Partner with legal peers to objectively evaluate business proposals by applying institutional knowledge and risk appetite against industry standards, widely accepted business practices, laws, rules, and regulatory guidelines, escalating as appropriate.
• Collaborate across internal lines of business, control/support functions and/or external counsel to achieve coordinated and efficient outcomes on matters of common interest; coordinate closely with the Legal team on a regional and global basis.
• Participate in planning and development initiatives; contribute to business objectives by providing thought leadership using knowledge of industry, laws, and regulations. Proactively identify, evaluate, and contribute to the appropriate management of legal, regulatory, and reputational risk by collaborating with ICRM & Risk, following relevant legal developments, participating in internal projects, escalating as appropriate.
• Manage day-to-day legal activities as a subject matter expert in area of responsibility and provide advisory services to business partners. Monitor management of complex legal issues and transactions, escalating when necessary and appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets.
• Assume informal leadership role acting as an escalation point within the Belfast Markets Legal Local Markets and Corporate Solutions Team on specific ISDAs and related matters/documents. Act as the senior Legal contact aligned to the FX, LM, Rates and Corporate Solutions businesses working with key stakeholders to closely manage priorities and handle deal specific and episodic trade documentation.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of process improvements, through liaising with internal stakeholders such as ICM/Risk, Client Risk Facilitation, Client Onboarding, Regulatory Reform, XVA, Operations and Legal.
• Facilitate solutions to ensure systems and legal documentation can support client offerings. Involvement with product development discussions as and when potential solutions are being requested from or offered to clients which may have systems and/or documentation implications.

What we’ll need from you

• To be a Qualified Lawyer.
• Relevant industry experience, preferably in financial service, including laws related to banking regulations.
• Knowledge of international laws, regulations and practices while staying abreast of regulatory and legal environment, internal policies and industry trends that impact the business.
• Experience with complex deals, demonstrated ability to analyze issues and develop legal solutions.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills and ability to build and maintain trusted relationships.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and relationship management skills.
• Proven ability to apply sound judgement while managing assignments in a demanding, fast-paced environment.

What we can offer you

Citi Belfast is one of the largest employers in Northern Ireland with a diverse and talented team. You will have a truly global reach, which will provide you with new experiences and development opportunities right here in Belfast’s iconic Titanic Quarter. Every day there will be new business challenges that will help you develop new skills that can drive your career. We work hard to have a positive financial and social impact on the communities we serve. In turn, we put our employees first and provide the best-in-class benefits they need to be well, live well and save well.

By joining Citi Belfast, you will not only be part of a business casual workplace with a hybrid working model (up to 2 days working at home per week), but also receive a competitive base salary (which is annually reviewed), and enjoy a whole host of additional benefits such as:

• Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days plus bank holidays; increasing with tenure
• A discretional annual performance related bonus
• Private medical insurance packages to suit your personal circumstances
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pension Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Special discounts for employees, family, and friends
• Access to an array of learning and development resources

Alongside these benefits Citi is committed to ensuring our workplace is where everyone feels comfortable coming to work as their whole self every day. We want the best talent around the world to be energized to join us, motivated to stay, and empowered to thrive.

Sounds like Citi has everything you need? Then apply to discover the true extent of your capabilities.