Head of Early Career Talent for Operations and Technology

Citi; New York (NY); On-site; USD 170,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Citi is seeking a Director-level Head of Early Career Talent for Operations and Technology in New York. The role focuses on shaping the early careers strategy, leading campus recruitment, and managing development programs to support business needs.

As a strategic partner, you will guide workforce planning, campus engagement, and program design to deliver a diverse and strong pipeline while ensuring an exceptional candidate experience across programs.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience preferred, with a high level of interest in early career programs.
• Ability to influence senior business leaders and serve as a strategic talent advisor.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, with the ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams while fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Working knowledge of industry practices, market trends, and competitive talent landscapes.
• Bachelor’s degree/University degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Early Careers strategy for Operations and Technology, aligning talent priorities with business objectives and future workforce needs.
• Partner with senior business leaders to provide strategic advice on talent pipelines, program effectiveness, and evolving market and business trends.
• Lead the campus recruiting and program management function, overseeing the attraction, selection, development, and conversion of Early Careers talent.
• In partnership with the University Relations team, develop and execute campus engagement strategies that strengthen Citi’s employer brand and attract top talent from target schools.
• Drive high-quality hiring outcomes through effective assessment, selection strategies, and measurement of key talent and program metrics.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance program design to ensure a best-in-class experience for candidates and program participants while meeting business needs.
• Identify and implement process improvements, tools, and technology solutions to enhance recruiting effectiveness, operational efficiency, and the overall candidate experience.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a team of recruiters and program managers, fostering a high-performing culture, building team capability, and ensuring successful execution of business priorities.
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm’s reputation, 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.

Skills

Influence senior leaders

Strategic talent advisor

Leadership

Communication skills

Workforce planning

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Market trends

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Head of Early Career Talent for Operations and Technology is a Director level position responsible for leading the Early Careers strategy, recruitment, and program management for these businesses. The role is accountable for managing an Early Careers team to drive the end-to-end strategy, execution, and delivery of campus recruitment and development programs in partnership with business leaders and HR advisors.

As a trusted strategic partner to the business, this individual advises senior leaders on Early Careers talent strategy, market trends, workforce planning, and program effectiveness. The role is responsible for continuously evolving program design to align with business priorities, ensuring a high-quality hiring process, delivering an exceptional candidate and program participant experience, and strengthening campus engagement to build a diverse and sustainable pipeline of future talent. The overall objective is to develop, implement, and deliver Early Careers recruiting and program management strategies that support business objectives and future talent needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Early Careers strategy for Operations and Technology, aligning talent priorities with business objectives and future workforce needs.
• Partner with senior business leaders to provide strategic advice on talent pipelines, program effectiveness, and evolving market and business trends.
• Lead the campus recruiting and program management function, overseeing the attraction, selection, development, and conversion of Early Careers talent.
• In partnership with the University Relations team, develop and execute campus engagement strategies that strengthen Citi’s employer brand and attract top talent from target schools.
• Drive high-quality hiring outcomes through effective assessment, selection strategies, and measurement of key talent and program metrics.
• Continuously evaluate and enhance program design to ensure a best-in-class experience for candidates and program participants while meeting business needs.
• Identify and implement process improvements, tools, and technology solutions to enhance recruiting effectiveness, operational efficiency, and the overall candidate experience.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a team of recruiters and program managers, fostering a high-performing culture, building team capability, and ensuring successful execution of business priorities.
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm’s reputation, 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.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience preferred, with a high level of interest in early career programs.
• Ability to influence senior business leaders and serve as a strategic talent advisor.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, with the ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams while fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Working knowledge of industry practices, market trends, and competitive talent landscapes.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree/University degree or equivalent experience

Job Family Group:

Human Resources

Job Family:

Recruiting

Time Type:

Full time

Primary Location:

New York New York United States

Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:

$170,000.00 - $300,000.00

In addition to salary, Citi offers discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.

Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

Other Relevant Skills

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

Anticipated Posting Close Date:

Oct 21, 2026

Automated Processing and AI

We use automated processing, including artificial intelligence, for our legitimate business interests (or our reasonable and appropriate business purposes) to identify and align the candidate's skills and abilities with a specific job opening. Additionally, if you so choose, or consent, we can match your skills and abilities to other suitable roles at Citi.

Importantly, all our hiring processes and decisions, including determining your suitability for a role, are conducted, checked, and decided by individuals. Our automated processing and AI do not involve relying on automatic or autonomous decision-making. Please refer to any Jurisdictional Considerations, with specific provisions for your country (where relevant) for further details.

Illinois residents – AI Notice and Right

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.

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.