Lead Counsel - Country - Vice President

Citigroup Inc.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Citi in Singapore is seeking a Lead Counsel to provide legal support across Banking and Services, with focus on local laws and regulatory requirements. You will partner with Citi Country Officers and external counsel to deliver practical, risk-managed solutions.

In coordination with the Singapore team, you will monitor regulatory changes, advise on strategic initiatives, and participate in governance committees, ensuring compliance and protecting Citi’s reputation and assets.

Qualifications

• Qualified to practice Singapore law (strongly preferred).
• 6–10 years of relevant industry experience, preferably with practice and in-house experience.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, organizational and relationship management skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
• Experience in banking and finance law, loans and trade finance preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Singapore laws, and knowledge of international, multi-jurisdictional laws and practices while staying abreast of regulatory and legal environment, internal policies and industry trends that impact the business.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and support to Banking and Services Country Business on legal, regulatory matters for Citi’s entities in the covered countries; ensures proper risk handling.
• Guides strategic initiatives by interpreting laws, regulations, and industry practices for Citi leaders and advising management on legal matters.
• Coordinates internal and external legal support with Regional Product Counsel to meet Citi’s needs cost-effectively.
• Develops broad understanding of Citi’s businesses in Singapore and major legal/regulatory risks.
• Collaborates across internal lines of business and external counsel to achieve coordinated outcomes on common issues.
• Partners with country management and regulators to maintain good regulatory relations.
• Monitors significant regulatory developments and informs country management.
• Participates in country-level governance committees and acts as a lawyer providing support across matters.
• Manages day-to-day legal activities as a subject matter expert and provides senior advisory services to business partners.
• Assesses risk in business decisions, upholding Citi’s reputation and safeguarding clients and assets.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory Knowledge

Client Relationship

Negotiation

Multitasking

Singapore Law

Banking & Finance

Education

LLB or equivalent

Job description

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.

Citi’s Global Legal Affairs and Compliance (GLAC) empowers and protects Citi by providing legal, compliance, investigative, and security services to our firm. We manage compliance risk, provide legal analysis and advice, protect Citi’s people and businesses, advocate for legal and regulatory outcomes that benefit our firm and our clients, and ultimately promote behavior that is consistent with Citi’s mission and culture
The Lead Counsel is a senior level position responsible for providing legal counsel and support to aligned countries/geographies of responsibility. The overall objective of this role is to provide legal support, advice, and guidance across a broad range of practice areas, with respect to the local laws and regulations of Singapore.

This role is responsible for providing guidance, support, and legal advice on Citi's businesses and functions in Singapore, in particular Banking (Corporate Banking and Commercial Banking) and Services (Investor and Issuer Services). This role requires thorough understanding of the business needs and expectations, combined with a solid conceptual / practical grounding in the laws and regulations of the geographies in which we operate. Provides input into strategic decisions, exercising sound legal judgement to develop proactive, risk-appropriate, and commercially practical business-oriented solutions.

Responsibilities

• In coordination with the Singapore Country Counsel team, provides legal advice and support to Banking and Services Country Business on legal, control function and regulatory matters associated with Citi’s business activities and legal entities in the countries covered; ensures that Citi is appropriately addressing legal, regulatory, franchise and reputational risks in these countries
• Supports strategic initiatives of the businesses and functions in Singapore by providing Citi Country Officers with guidance and interpretations of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices, and advising business management on legal matters impacting the business
• Coordinates provision of internal and external legal support to Citi’s local businesses in Singapore, working closely with the relevant Regional Product Counsel (or his or her designee) to ensure that Citi’s legal needs are met in a cost-effective manner
• Develops a broad understanding of Citi’s businesses in the Singapore and of the major legal and regulatory risks facing those businesses
• Collaborates across internal lines of business, control/support functions and/or external counsel to achieve coordinated and efficient outcomes on matters of common interest, coordinates closely with Legal team members, as appropriate
• Partners with Singapore country management and stakeholders to support Citi’s maintaining of good relations with local regulators and all other local regulatory bodies that are relevant to Citi business activities
• Assures that key legal and regulatory developments that may impact or otherwise be relevant to Citi’s businesses in Singapore, including those involving other financial institutions, are appropriately monitored and that country management is apprised of significant developments
• Takes an active role in any relevant country-level governance committees as assigned, e.g., coordinating committee, business risk & controls committee, legal & compliance committee, legal vehicle management committee; act as lawyer providing support to the country in any matter.
• Manages day-to-day legal activities as a subject matter expert in area of responsibility and provide senior advisory services to business partners
• 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, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards

Qualifications

• Qualified to practice Singapore law (strongly preferred)
• 6-10 years of relevant industry experience, preferably with practice and in-house experience
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, organizational and relationship management skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously in a demanding, fast-paced environment
• Experience in banking and finance law, loans and trade finance preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Singapore laws, and knowledge of international, multi-jurisdictional laws and practices while staying abreast of regulatory and legal environment, internal policies and industry trends that impact the business
• Effective communication and negotiation skills and ability to maintain trusted relationships

Education

• LLB or equivalent law degree

Working Environment: office setting, minimal travel required.
Effort: minimal physical effort required.

Job Family Group:

Job Family:

Time Type:

Full time

Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

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