Vice President, Custody Legal Counsel – Investor Services

Citigroup; Kuala Lumpur; Hybrid; MYR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial institution in Kuala Lumpur is seeking an experienced Vice President, Custody Legal Counsel – Investor Services. The successful candidate will deliver legal guidance, facilitate strategic initiatives, and manage legal risks in a fast-paced financial environment. With a Juris Doctorate or equivalent degree, you will have 6-10 years of industry experience and expertise in banking regulations. This hybrid role offers an opportunity to contribute to legal solutions and positively impact the business.

Qualifications

• 6-10 years of relevant industry experience, preferably in financial services.
• Expertise in banking or financial industry laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of international legal practices impacting the business.
• Experience in handling complex legal issues and negotiations.
• Proven ability to manage assignments in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to the Business and advise on legal matters.
• Evaluate business proposals against laws and regulatory guidelines.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners for efficient outcomes.
• Identify and manage legal, regulatory, and reputational risks.
• Oversee daily legal activities as a subject matter expert.

Skills

Legal counsel provision

Strategic initiatives participation

Risk evaluation

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctorate or equivalent law degree

Job description

Vice President, Custody Legal Counsel – Investor Services

Whether you’re at the start of your career or looking to discover your next adventure, your story begins here. At Citi, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your skills and make a difference at one of the world’s most global banks. We’re fully committed to supporting your growth and development from the start with extensive on‑the‑job training and exposure to senior leaders, as well as more traditional learning. You’ll also have the chance to give back and make a positive impact where we live and work through volunteerism.

We’re currently looking for a high‑caliber professional to join our team as Vice President, Custody Legal Counsel – Investor Services (Hybrid) (Internal Job Title: Lead Counsel 2 – Product – C13) based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Lead Counsel II is a senior level position responsible for providing legal guidance and thought leadership to the business. The overall objective of this role is to provide legal support, advice, and guidance to the business.

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. It includes providing input into strategic decisions, exercising sound legal judgement to develop proactive, risk‑appropriate, and commercially practical business‑oriented solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal counsel to the Business, participate in strategic initiatives, and advise business management on legal matters impacting the business.
• Partner with legal peers to objectively evaluate business proposals, 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 business 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 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.
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm’s reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, and effectively supervising the activity of others and creating accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.

Qualifications:

• 6-10 years of relevant industry experience, preferably in financial services.
• Banking or financial industry experience, 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.
• Bar license in good standing to practice law.

Education:

• Juris Doctorate or equivalent law degree.

This job description provides a high‑level review of the types of work performed. Other job‑related duties may be assigned as required.

Working at Citi is far more than just a job. A career with us means joining a family of more than 230,000 dedicated people from around the globe. At Citi, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your career, give back to your community and make a real impact.

Take the next step in your career, apply for this role at Citi today https://jobs.citi.com/dei

Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.