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

Citi; New York (NY); On-site; USD 211,000 - 317,000; Full time

Job summary

Citi in New York seeks a Senior Lead Counsel to act as a strategic business partner and subject‑matter expert for Spread Products. You will advise on structured finance, securitizations, and asset‑backed products while collaborating with Risk, Compliance and global teams.

With 7+ years in financial services legal, you will navigate multi‑jurisdictional regulations, negotiate complex deals and guide senior management through risk‑aware, commercially practical decisions.

Qualifications

• 7+ 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 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
• 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

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel to the Business, supporting strategic initiatives and interpreting laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices
• Advise on business decisions by applying institutional knowledge against industry standards and regulatory guidelines
• Collaborate across internal lines of business and control functions to achieve coordinated outcomes
• Accomplish results by leveraging networks, colleagues, and peers
• Serve as business partner to stakeholders by contributing legal insights into planning and development initiatives
• Participate in risk reviews, governance and control forums, highlighting potential financial or reputational risk
• Identify and manage legal, regulatory, and reputational risk through cross‑functional collaboration
• Manage day‑to‑day legal activities as a subject matter expert and provide senior advisory services
• Negotiate, coordinate and monitor complex legal issues and escalate when necessary
• Ensure risk considerations are integrated into business decisions and maintain Citi standards

Skills

Leadership

Relationship management

Regulatory experience

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctorate

NY Bar license

Job description

The Senior Lead Counsel is a position responsible for serving as 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.

Should have experience in structured finance, securitizations and lending facilities. Should have 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.

This role requires thorough understanding of the strategic direction of the Business, combined with knowledge of 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, 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; coordinate closely with the Legal team on a regional and global basis
• Accomplishes results by leveraging networks/connections, colleagues, and peers
• Serves as business partner and advisor to business stakeholders and functional partners (e.g., Risk, Compliance) by participating in planning and development initiatives; contribute 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 provide senior advisory services to business partners
• Negotiates, coordinates, and monitors management of complex legal issues and make key decisions within area of responsibility, escalating where 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

• 7+ 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 in 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 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
• 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

Job Family Group

Legal

Job Family

Legal - Product

Time Type

Full time

Primary Location

New York New York United States

Primary Location Full Time Salary Range

$211,280.00 - $316,920.00

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.

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.

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.

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