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

Citigroup Inc.; London; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global financial institution in London seeks a Senior Trade Finance Product Manager Controls Lead to drive controls automation. This role involves designing and executing solutions for Trade Finance platforms, enhancing operational efficiency, and mitigating risks. Candidates should possess extensive trade finance experience, strong analytical skills, and a degree in a relevant field. The position supports a hybrid working model with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days plus bank holidays

Discretionary annual performance-related bonus

Private medical insurance packages

Pension Plan

Paid Parental Leave

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Trade Finance operations, product management, or risk and control functions within a banking institution.
• Demonstrable expertise in leveraging automation technologies.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives in a complex, global environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement technology-driven solutions to automate existing manual controls.
• Oversee the rule-based engine, ensuring alignment with regulations and risk appetite.
• Collaborate with technology teams to integrate automated controls into Trade Finance systems.

Skills

Trade Finance operations

Automation technologies

Risk and control functions

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

AI technologies

Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

Workflow automation tools

Job description

Overview

Are you looking for a career move that will put you at the heart of a global financial institution? 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. Includes use of AI, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), 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 SOPs. Compliance Checks – automate regulatory verification at various stages (AML, sanctions, fraud, anti-boycott, vessel tracking, export controls and military dual use). Document Processing – automate intake, indexing, and verification of trade finance documents. Exception Handling – design automated workflows to triage and route exceptions. New Deal Origination – update origination approval system, rules and monitoring. Onboarding – support onboarding automation from a controls perspective.
• Platform Integration and Optimization: Collaborate with technology teams to integrate automated controls into Trade Finance systems and platforms, including API integrations, data warehousing, and system-level scripting.
• Rules Engine Management: Oversee the rule-based engine, ensuring alignment with regulations and risk appetite. Manage updates to rules based on regulatory changes.
• Risk Mitigation and De-risking: Identify control gaps, deploy automated solutions to de-risk the business, and embed controls by design within automated processes.
• Performance Monitoring, Analytics and Reporting: Establish metrics, analytics, and reporting to monitor automated controls and provide real-time insights to senior management.

This role demands strong cross-functional collaboration. You will partner closely with Product, Technology, and Operations teams, as well as colleagues in 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 emphasis on AI and RPA, workflow automation, and 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 related operational and regulatory risks.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives in a complex, global environment.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and build cross-functional relationships.
• A proactive, innovative, 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. We put our employees first and provide the benefits they need to be well, live well and save well.

By joining Citi London, you will be part of a business casual workplace with a hybrid working model (up to 2 days working at home per week), and receive a competitive base salary. Benefits include:

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

Alongside these benefits Citi is committed to ensuring our workplace is welcoming to all. We want the best talent to join, stay, and thrive.

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

Job Family Group: Product Management and Development

Job Family: Product Development

Time Type: Full time

Most Relevant Skills: Please see the requirements listed above.

Other Relevant Skills: See above or contact the recruiter.

Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and 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. If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi. View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.