Lead Counsel 1 - Product - AVP

Citi; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 109,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

Citi seeks a Lead Counsel I in Tampa to provide high-level legal guidance and thought leadership to the business. This role requires proactive, pragmatic legal experts who understand the regulatory landscape across geographies and can translate law into business-friendly solutions.

The successful candidate will partner with peers, oversee complex deals, and advise management on risk, compliance, and governance matters, with strong judgment and communication skills.

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

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to the Business, participate in strategic initiatives, and advise on legal matters impacting the business.
• Evaluate business proposals with risk controls and regulatory considerations, escalating when needed.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external counsel for coordinated outcomes.
• Contribute to business planning and development with industry and regulatory insights.
• Identify and manage legal, regulatory, and reputational risks with risk teams.
• Manage day-to-day legal activities as a subject matter expert and advise business partners.
• Monitor complex legal issues and transactions, escalating when necessary.
• Assess risk in business decisions, protect Citi’s reputation, and ensure policy compliance.

Skills

Legal expertise

Regulatory knowledge

Negotiation

Communication

Relationship management

Judgement

Education

Juris Doctorate or equivalent

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

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

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.