Lead Counsel 1 - Product - AVP

Citigroup Inc.; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 109,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

Citigroup Inc. in Tampa, Florida seeks an experienced Lead Counsel I to provide legal guidance and leadership to the business. The role combines pragmatic advice with a solid grounding in banking laws and regulations across geographies where we operate.

You will partner with internal teams and external counsel, manage day-to-day legal activities, assess risk on strategic decisions, and help develop proactive, commercially practical solutions while upholding Citi's integrity.

Qualifications

• 5-8 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
• 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

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to the Business, participate in strategic initiatives, interpret laws/regulations, and advise management on legal matters
• Collaborate with legal peers to evaluate business proposals against risk, industry standards and regulatory guidelines
• Coordinate with Legal team regionally and globally for efficient outcomes on matters of common interest
• Contribute to BUSINESS planning and development initiatives with thought leadership on laws and regulations
• Identify, evaluate and manage legal, regulatory and reputational risk with ICRM & Risk involvement
• Manage day-to-day legal activities as a subject matter expert and provide advisory services
• Monitor and escalate complex legal issues and transactions as needed
• Assess risk in business decisions, safeguarding Citi and clients by complying with laws and policies

Skills

Legal advisory

Regulatory compliance

Risk assessment

Negotiation

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Judgement

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

The Lead Counsel I is an intermediate 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. Provides input into strategic decisions, exercising sound legal judgement to develop proactive, risk-appropriate, and commercially practical business-oriented solutions.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for providing legal counsel to the Business, participating in strategic initiatives, providing subject matter expertise and interpretations of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices, and advising business management on legal matters impacting the business
• Partners with legal peers to objectively evaluate business proposals by analyzing documentation while applying institutional knowledge and risk appetite against industry standards, widely accepted business practices, laws, rules, and regulatory guidelines, escalating as appropriate
• Collaborates 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
• Participates in BUSINESS planning and development initiatives; contributes to business objectives by providing thought leadership using knowledge of industry, laws, and regulations
• Assists team in identifying, evaluating and contributing to the management of legal, regulatory, and reputational risk by collaborating with ICRM & Risk, following relevant legal developments, participating in internal projects, escalating as appropriate
• Manages day-to-day legal activities as a subject matter expert in area of responsibility and provide advisory services to business partners
• Monitors 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, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards

Qualifications

• 5-8 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

Job Family Group

Legal

Job Family

Legal - Product

Time Type

Full time

Primary Location

Tampa Florida United States

Primary Location Full Time Salary Range

$109,440.00 - $164,160.00

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.

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 27, 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.