Investor Services Technology - Data Solutions Senior Vice President

Citi; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision coverage

401(k)

Paid time off packages

Job summary

Citi is seeking an exceptional Data Architect for its Investor Services Technology group in Jersey City, New Jersey. The ideal candidate will define data architecture principles, lead the development of canonical data models, and ensure compliance with data governance frameworks. This hands-on role requires deep domain knowledge in Custody and Fund Services, alongside extensive experience in the financial services sector.

The position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical coverage, 401(k), and paid time off, while enabling the architect to play a pivotal role in one of the most complex technology transformations in global financial services.

Qualifications

• 10 - 12+ years in technology, with at least 6 years in a data architecture role.
• Experience authoring data models, schemas, and technical standards.
• Background in regulated financial institutions.

Responsibilities

• Define and document data architecture principles.
• Lead the creation of canonical data models and dictionaries.
• Establish data governance frameworks and ensure regulation compliance.

Skills

Data modelling techniques

API design

Data governance frameworks

Event-driven architecture

Cloud data platforms

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Apache Kafka

JSON Schema

Avro

Job description

Citi's Investor Services Technology group is seeking a technically exceptional and domain-savvy Data Architect to serve as the definitive data architecture authority across the Investor Services (IS) program — spanning Custody, Fund Administration, and Securities Finance.

This is explicitly a hands‑on architect role. The successful candidate will be expected to write, review, and validate architecture artifacts, data models, canonical schemas, and technical standards. You will be embedded with delivery teams, working directly with business analysts, data engineers, and technology leads to produce production‑quality data architecture outputs that the entire IS program depends on.

You will also lead the design and delivery of a suite of data architecture utilities — reusable tooling, accelerators, and automation that dramatically compress the time to deliver consistent, standards‑compliant data integrations across Investor Services platforms. This role is a rare opportunity to set the data foundations for one of the most complex and consequential technology transformation programs in global financial services. Deep Custody and/or Fund Services domain knowledge is a prerequisite, not a preference.

Responsibilities

• Data Architecture Principles & Standards — Define, document, and own the Investor Services data publication architecture principles governing data modelling standards, naming conventions, versioning strategies, API data contracts, and data quality rules across all IS technology domains.
• Architecture Pattern Standardization — Work with delivery leads across all 50+ IS platforms to define, document, and enforce standardized architecture patterns for data generation, transformation, and consumption covering batch, near‑real‑time, and event‑driven data flows from source systems to downstream consumers.
• Canonical Data Models & Dictionaries — Personally lead and contribute to the creation of canonical data models, enterprise data dictionaries, and business glossaries for Custody and Fund Services domains, collaborating directly with business SMEs, operations leads, and delivery architects to reach consensus and lock down definitions.
• Canonical Formats & Samples — Design and publish canonical message formats (JSON schemas, Avro), reference data samples, and integration contracts providing platform teams with unambiguous, implementation‑ready data specifications that eliminate downstream interpretation risk.
• Data Architecture Utilities — Design and build shared data architecture utilities including schema validators, data contract testing frameworks, data lineage trackers, canonical mapping accelerators, and code generators that compress individual platform delivery timelines and enforce standards automatically.
• Business & Tech Collaboration — Serve as the primary bridge between business stakeholders and engineering teams on all data architecture decisions, facilitating working sessions, reviewing data model proposals, resolving conflicts, and driving timely sign‑off on data contracts across a complex, multi‑stakeholder program.
• Data Governance & Lineage — Establish data governance frameworks covering data ownership, stewardship, classification, and lineage across IS platforms, ensuring regulatory auditability, data quality SLAs, and compliance with internal data management policies and external regulations.
• Program Timeline Acceleration — Proactively identify and remove data architecture bottlenecks that are blocking delivery across the IS program using utility tooling, pre‑built reference architectures, and direct hands‑on contribution to unblock platform teams and compress overall program timelines.

Experience

• 10 - 12+ years in technology, with at least 6 years in a data architecture, data engineering, or enterprise architecture role within financial services.
• Demonstrable track record as a hands‑on data architect—directly authoring data models, schemas, and technical standards (not purely advisory).
• Experience defining data architectures for large‑scale, multi‑platform programs in a regulated financial institution.
• Background working across complex, multi‑stakeholder environments requiring negotiation and consensus‑building on data definitions and contracts.
• Experience delivering shared architectural tooling or utilities that improved delivery velocity at program scale.

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent experience).

Technical Skills

• Expert‑level proficiency in data modelling techniques: conceptual, logical, and physical modelling; entity‑relationship (ERD) design; dimensional and normalized models.
• Deep expertise in canonical data format design: JSON Schema, Avro—including schema versioning, backward/forward compatibility, and evolution strategies.
• Strong command of API design and data contract patterns: OpenAPI, AsyncAPI, consumer‑driven contract testing (Pact).
• Hands‑on experience with data lineage and cataloguing tools (Apache Atlas, Collibra, Alation, DataHub, or equivalent).
• Proficiency in event‑driven architecture and messaging platforms: Apache Kafka (schema registry, Avro serialization), Solace.
• Working knowledge of cloud data platforms: Databricks, Snowflake, AWS (Glue, Lake Formation), Azure (Data Factory, Synapse), or GCP.
• Ability to read and write production‑quality code in Python or Java sufficient to build and contribute to data architecture utilities.
• Familiarity with data quality frameworks, master data management (MDM), and metadata management best practices.

Domain Knowledge

• Custody—deep understanding of asset servicing data: securities master, settlement instructions, positions, corporate actions, income events, and reconciliation data structures.
• Fund Services—working knowledge of fund accounting data models: NAV components, expense structures, investor registers, transaction data, and fund reporting data requirements.
• Familiarity with industry data standards and messaging protocols: SWIFT (MT/MX, ISO 20022), FIX, FpML, and their data model implications.
• Understanding of securities reference data: instrument master, issuer data, pricing, and the data management challenges at global scale.
• Knowledge of post‑trade settlement data flows: DVP/FOP settlement, fail management, and the data hand‑offs between custody and counterparty systems.
• Awareness of regulatory data requirements: SFTR reporting data fields, FATCA/CRS data requirements, and audit trail obligations in custody and fund services.

Benefits

In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, 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.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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.