Lead Counsel - Services

As part of the Client Solutions Team within Citi’s Services Legal department, the Vice President will primarily be engaged in negotiating client contracts and ancillary documents and advising about other issues and projects for the Payments, Liquidity, Trade, and Investor and Issuer Services businesses. This role is responsible for managing a variety of day‑to‑day legal activities as part of the global Services Legal team and will be integral to the global Services Legal team, involving a wide range of transactional work in connection with account openings and product offerings across all five businesses within Citi Services.

The role will provide exposure to a broad spectrum of products and services and will provide a unique opportunity to obtain insight into both Services products and the priorities and expectations of the business.

The role requires regular interaction with Payments, Liquidity, Trade, and Investor and Issuer Services Legal and other functional colleagues (and external counsel as required) to ensure adequate coordination on practices and procedures from a legal and regulatory contracting perspective. Reporting directly to the Legal Group Manager for Client Solutions in Tampa, the Vice President will be closely aligned and collaborate with the Business and with key areas across Citigroup, including other Legal areas, Compliance/ICRM and Risk.

• Provide legal counsel to the Payments, Liquidity, Trade, and Investor and Issuer Services business, participate in strategic initiatives, and negotiate various documents, including services agreements for a variety of businesses.
• Partner with the Product Legal teams to 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.
• Collaborate 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 Product Legal teams on a regional and global basis.
• Manage day‑to‑day legal activities related to client contracting with knowledge in Payments, Liquidity, Trade, and Investor and Issuer Services, provide advisory services to internal stakeholders across all relevant business lines, and support business projects, including cross‑border contracts.
• Monitor management of complex transactions, escalating to appropriate internal stakeholders when necessary.
• 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 internal contracting standards, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency. Effectively supervise others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.

• 5+ years of contracting experience, preferably in banking but also as part of a fintech, software licensor or a corporate procurement role.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills and ability to build and maintain trusted relationships.
• Experience with complex deals, demonstrated ability to analyze issues and develop legal solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and relationship management skills.
• Proven ability to apply sound judgment while managing assignments in a demanding, fast‑paced environment.
• Bar license in good standing to practice law.

• Juris Doctor or equivalent law degree.

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 w Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.

In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include 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. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.