Senior Lead Counsel - Futures and Derivatives Clearing - Director

Overview

Role Overview:
To provide senior legal advice and support in relation to Citi’s Futures and Derivatives Clearing (FDC) activity in EMEA. The Senior Lead Counsel is a senior level position, serving as strategic business partner and subject matter expert by providing legal counsel and thought leadership to the FDC Business. This role requires a pragmatic, proactive attorney with thorough understanding of the strategic direction of the FDC Business, combined with a solid conceptual and practical grounding in the laws and regulations of the geographies in which we operate, providing input into strategic decisions and exercising sound legal judgement to develop proactive, risk-appropriate, and commercially practical business-oriented solutions.

Job Background/Context:
The successful candidate will join an established team of lawyers providing legal support to the FDC Business as well as other business units that clear their house positions. The wider team also supports Prime Finance (including Equity Finance and Prime Brokerage); experience in these fields is welcome/advantageous.

Includes but not limited to:

• Acting as lead legal advisor to the FDC business and related operational teams, 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
• Objectively evaluating business proposals by applying institutional knowledge and risk appetite against industry standards, widely accepted business practices, laws, rules, and regulatory guidelines, escalating as appropriate
• Collaborating 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
• Participating in business planning and development initiatives; contribute to business objectives by providing thought leadership using knowledge of industry, laws, and regulations
• Proactively identifying, evaluating, and contributing to the appropriate management of legal, regulatory, and reputational risk by collaborating with Independent Compliance Risk Management, following relevant legal developments, participating in internal projects, escalating as appropriate
• Managing day-to-day legal activities as a subject matter expert in area of responsibility and provide advisory services to business partners
• Monitoring management of complex legal issues and transactions, escalating when necessary
• Appropriately assessing 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 behaviour, 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

• Significant 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
• Practising certificate in good standing to practice law

The successful candidate will be educated to degree level and will have obtained a legal…