Senior Lead Counsel - Spread Products - Asset Backed Financing and Securitization

Citi; New York (NY); On-site; USD 211,280 - 316,920; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision coverage

401(k)

Life and disability insurance

Wellness programs

Paid time off packages

Job summary

A leading multinational financial services corporation seeks a Senior Lead Counsel 1 to provide legal counsel and support to the Spread Products business. This role requires over 10 years of experience in financial services, strong leadership and interpersonal skills, and a Juris Doctorate. Responsibilities include advising on legal matters, collaborating with business units, and managing legal risks. This full-time position is based in New York and offers a competitive salary range of $211,280.00 – $316,920.00.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant industry experience, especially in financial services.
• Excellent leadership and relationship management skills.
• Experience with regulators is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of international laws and regulations.
• Experience with complex deals and legal solutions.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills.
• NY Bar license in good standing.
• Experience in structured finance and asset-backed products.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and support to the Spread Products business.
• Advise on strategic business initiatives and legal matters.
• Collaborate with internal business units and partners.
• Manage day-to-day legal tasks and decision-making.
• Identify and manage legal, regulatory, and reputational risks.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Relationship management

Negotiation

Communication

Legal judgement

Collaboration

Education

Juris Doctorate or equivalent law degree

Job description

The Senior Lead Counsel 1 is a position responsible for serving as a strategic business partner and subject matter expert by providing legal counsel and thought leadership to the Spread Products business (the “Business”). The overall objective of this role is to provide legal support, advice, and guidance to the Business.

This role requires a thorough understanding of the strategic direction of the Business, combined with knowledge of the laws and regulations for the geographies in which we operate. It 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, supporting strategic initiatives, providing subject matter expertise and interpretations of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices, and advising business management/leadership on all manner of legal matters and risks impacting the business.
• Provides advisory services in respect of business decisions by applying institutional knowledge against industry standards, widely accepted business practices, laws, rules, and regulatory guidelines, escalating where appropriate.
• Collaborates across internal lines of business and control/support functions to achieve coordinated and efficient outcomes on matters of common interest; coordinates closely with the Legal team on a regional and global basis.
• Accomplishes results by leveraging networks/connections, colleagues, and peers.
• Serves as a business partner and advisor to business stakeholders and functional partners (e.g., Risk, Compliance) by participating in planning and development initiatives; contributes to business objectives by using knowledge of industry, laws, and regulations.
• Actively participates in various risk reviews, governance and control forums while demonstrating keen awareness of issues that could cause financial, reputational, or legal consequences.
• Proactively identifies, evaluates, and contributes to the appropriate management of legal, regulatory, and reputational risk through cross‑function collaboration, following relevant legal developments, participating in internal projects, and escalating as appropriate.
• Manages day‑to‑day legal activities as a subject matter expert in area of responsibility and provides senior advisory services to business partners.
• Negotiates, coordinates, and monitors the management of complex legal issues and makes key decisions within area of responsibility, escalating where necessary.
• Appropriately assesses 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 judgement regarding personal behavior, conduct, and business practices, and escalating, managing, and reporting control issues with transparency, while effectively supervising the activity of others and creating accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant industry experience with some experience working in an in‑house legal role in financial services.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and relationship management skills.
• Experience working with regulators/regulatory bodies is preferred.
• Proven ability to apply sound judgement while managing multiple assignments simultaneously in a demanding, fast‑paced environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of international, multi‑jurisdictional laws, regulations, and practices while staying abreast of the regulatory and legal environment, internal policies, and industry trends that impact the Business.
• Experience with complex deals, with a demonstrated ability to analyze issues and develop legal solutions.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills and ability to build and maintain trusted relationships.
• NY Bar license in good standing to practice law.
• Experience in structured finance, securitizations, and lending facilities.
• Experience in a broad range of asset‑backed products, including auto loans, consumer loans, credit cards and trade receivables, preferably with global exposure.
• Must be collaborative.

Education

• Juris Doctorate or equivalent law degree.

Location: New York, New York, United States

Full‑time Salary Range: $211,280.00 – $316,920.00

Benefits: Citi’s offerings may include discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Benefits include medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Paid time off packages, including planned vacation, unplanned sick leave, and paid holidays. For additional information, please visit citibenefits.com. Offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.

Anticipated Posting Close Date: Mar 31, 2026

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