Trade and Working Capital Solutions - Senior Product Manager Controls Lead, Director

Citi; London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial institution in London is seeking a Senior Trade Finance Product Manager Controls Lead to drive automation and enhance controls within Trade Finance operations. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in trade finance, a solid foundation in AI and RPA technologies, and strong leadership skills to oversee strategic initiatives. The role offers a competitive salary and a hybrid working model, with a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days

Discretionary annual performance-related bonus

Private medical insurance

Pension Plan

Paid Parental Leave

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Trade Finance operations and product management.
• Demonstrable expertise in leveraging automation technologies.
• Strong understanding of operational and regulatory risks in Trade Finance.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement automated solutions to enhance operational efficiency.
• Develop and oversee automated compliance checks and transaction monitoring.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize controls integration.

Skills

Trade Finance operations

AI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Workflow automation tools

Business process management systems

Job description

Overview

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 and communication to Citi’s Global Trade and Working Capital Solutions 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

Trade and Working Capital Solutions (TWCS) within the Services organization is a dynamic, high growth global business that offers working capital solutions to clients across Corporate Bank, Banking, and International and Citi Commercial Bank client segments in over 90 countries. The TWCS Business Execution team is responsible for the overall business strategy and execution including strategic projects, the technology agenda management and governance, partnerships and innovation, artificial intelligence, performance management and productivity.

We are seeking a highly skilled and visionary Senior Trade Finance Product Manager Controls Lead to join our dedicated team in Dublin. This critical role is designed to be at the forefront of our digital transformation journey, directly contributing to the enhancement and automation of our control environment within the global Trade and Working Capital Solutions (TWCS) business.

Reporting directly to the Head of TWCS Business Execution, the successful candidate will be responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and leading the execution of a comprehensive controls automation strategy across our diverse Trade Finance platforms. Primary focus will be on developing and implementing technology-driven solutions for Trade product controls.

This mandate spans controls automation across all our products, regions, and countries, ensuring an end-to-end focus from deal origination and execution through client onboarding and transaction processing to post-transaction servicing. The role will have full ownership of the underlying technology platform and manage relationships with key external and internal technology partners.

What you’ll do

Key Responsibilities and Focus Areas

Strategic Controls Automation

• Design and implement technology-driven solutions to automate existing manual controls, reducing operational risk and enhancing efficiency. This includes the use of AI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to emulate human interaction with systems for repetitive tasks, along with workflow orchestration tools, business process management (BPM) systems, and scripting for data validation and reconciliation.

Automation of Controls Processes

• Transaction Monitoring: Develop automated rules and alerts for unusual transaction patterns or deviations from standard operating procedures.
• Compliance Checks: Automate the verification of regulatory requirements and internal policy adherence at various stages of the trade finance lifecycle, including Anti-Money Laundering, sanctions, fraud, anti-boycott, vessel tracking, export controls and military dual use.
• Document Processing: Utilize automation to streamline the intake, indexing, and verification of trade finance documents.
• Exception Handling: Design automated workflows to triage and route exceptions for review, improving response times and reducing manual intervention.
• New Deal Origination: Revamp new deal origination approval system, updating rules and alerts as well as improved monitoring and reporting.
• Onboarding: Support onboarding automation journey from a controls perspective. Provide onboarding team with insights and recommendations for how to reduce manual touchpoints and enhance controls.

Platform Integration and Optimization

• Collaborate with technology teams to integrate automated controls seamlessly into our Trade Finance systems and platforms, ensuring robust and scalable solutions. This involves working with API integrations, data warehousing, and system-level scripting to embed controls directly.

Rules Engine Management

• Oversee the rule-based engine, ensuring alignment with regulations and the business's risk appetite (risk owned by the product front office). This includes managing updates and changes to rules based on evolving regulatory requirements.

Risk Mitigation and De-risking

• Proactively identify control gaps and vulnerabilities, developing and deploying automated solutions to de-risk the business and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory requirements and internal policies. The focus will be on embedding controls "by design" within automated processes.

Performance Monitoring, Analytics and Reporting

• Establish robust metrics, analytics, and reporting mechanisms to monitor the effectiveness of automated controls and provide real-time insights to senior management on control performance and risk exposure.

This role demands strong cross-functional collaboration. You will partner closely with Product, Technology, and Operations teams, as well as colleagues In-Business Risk and Controls and Product Compliance to gather requirements, ensure alignment, and drive successful implementation of control enhancements.

What we’ll need from you

• Extensive experience in Trade Finance operations, product management, or risk and control functions within a banking institution.
• Extensive experience in technology management, including vendor relationships and platform ownership.
• Demonstrable expertise in leveraging automation technologies, with a strong emphasis on AI and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) implementations, workflow automation, and other scripting/programming skills relevant to business process automation.
• Proven track record in designing, implementing, and optimizing automated control frameworks.
• Strong understanding of Trade Finance products, processes, and associated operational and regulatory risks.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives, with a focus on delivering tangible results in a complex, global environment.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and foster strong relationships across various functions.
• A proactive, innovative, and solution-oriented mindset, with a passion for driving change and operational excellence.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; master’s degree preferred.

What we can offer you

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 London, 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 discretionary 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.

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