Global Co Head of Payments Processing & Strategy in Belfast

Are you looking for a career move that will put you at the heart of a global financial institution? Then bring your skills in analysis, problem solving and communication to Citi’s Derivatives Settlements Team. By Joining Citi, you will become part of a global organisation whose mission is to serve as a trusted partner to our clients by responsibly providing financial services that enable growth and economic progress.

Our Operations groups are core to the success of the Markets business. We support a wide range of internal stakeholders including Front Office Sales and Trading Desks, Compliance, Legal, Finance and HR; alongside having significant interaction with external clients, playing a key role in the overall client experience. A role within Markets Operations means that you will have a truly global reach, in a supportive environment which will provide you with new experiences and development opportunities right here in Belfast’s iconic Titanic Quarter. You can play an important part in transforming and simplifying our operating model, creating an exciting environment which encourages diversity of thought and inclusion within an organisation that authentically values and invests in its people.

Citibank is seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Director to lead its EMEA Derivative Payment Operations. This critical role demands a visionary leader capable of driving strategic transformation, enhancing operational efficiency, and embedding robust risk and control frameworks within a complex global environment. The Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of derivative payment processing, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. This role requires a proven track record in financial services operations, with a deep understanding of derivative products and payment lifecycle, coupled with exceptional leadership, change management, and risk management capabilities.

What you’ll do

• Strategic Leadership & Transformation
  • Engage with global stakeholders to develop and execute the strategic evolution of the Derivative Settlements platform (OAsys), aligning with global business objectives and industry best practices.
  • Develop and oversee an optimized functional alignment to deliver Client service excellence.
  • Drive a culture of innovation, identifying opportunities for automation, digitalization, and process simplification.
  • Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders in business units, Risk and Technology and represent Derivative Payment Operations in strategic discussions with senior management, business partners, and external stakeholders.
  • Lead and sponsor significant transformation initiatives, leveraging technology and process reengineering optimize efficiency, scalability and client experience.
• Operational Management & Excellence
  • Oversee the end‑to‑end processing of derivative payments, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and completeness across OTC product types.
  • Leverage data analytics and capabilities to identify potential efficiency and capacity generation.
  • Manage operational teams, providing clear direction, performance expectations and professional development opportunities.
  • Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure operational targets are met or exceeded.
  • Ensure compliance with all internal policies, external regulations and industry standards related to derivative payment processing.
• Risk Management & Control
  • Establish and maintain a strong risk and control environment, identifying potential operational, regulatory and reputational risks.
  • Design, implement and monitor robust controls, proactively addressing control gaps and enhancing existing frameworks.
  • Lead incident management processes, ensuring timely escalation, resolution and root cause analysis of operational issues.
  • Partner with Risk, Internal Audit & Compliance to ensure full adherence to regulatory requirements and internal governance.
• Stakeholder Management & Communication
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders, including Trading Desks, Sales, Treasury, Technology, Finance and other Operations functions.
  • Engage with external parties such as custodians, clearing houses and regulators to represent Citibank’s interests and ensure seamless operations.
  • Communicate complex operational and strategic information effectively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.

What we’ll need from you

• Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics or a related field required.
  • Master’s degree (MBA) or relevant professional certifications (e.g., CFA, PMP) preferred.
• Experience
  • Significant experience in financial services operations, with experience in a leadership role overseeing derivative operations or payment processing.
  • Extensive knowledge of derivative products (e.g., Swaps, Options, Futures, Forwards) and their lifecycle, including payments, confirmations and settlements.
  • Data analytics and low‑code capability experience including Appian, Tableau deployment.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading large‑scale transformation programmes and managing significant organisational change.
  • Proven expertise in establishing and managing strong risk and control frameworks within a regulated environment.
  • Global experience preferred, working with diverse teams and complex regulatory landscapes.
• Skills
  • Exceptional leadership, people management and team development skills.
  • Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving abilities.
  • Deep analytical capabilities with a focus on data‑driven decision‑making.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
  • Ability to influence and drive consensus across various levels of the organisation.
  • Proficiency in operational risk management tools and methodologies.
  • Familiarity with relevant industry technologies and trends (e.g., DLT, AI/ML in operations).

What we can offer you

We work hard to have a positive financial and social impact on the communities we serve. In turn, we put our employees first and provide the best‑in‑class benefits they need to be well, live well and save well. By joining Citi Belfast, you will not only be part of a business casual workplace with a hybrid working model (up to 2 days working at home per week), but also receive a competitive base salary (which is annually reviewed), and enjoy a whole host of additional benefits such as:

• Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days plus bank holidays; increasing with tenure.
• A discretionary annual performance‑related bonus.
• Private medical insurance packages to suit your personal circumstances.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Pension Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Special discounts for employees, family and friends.
• Access to an array of learning and development resources.

Alongside these benefits Citi is committed to ensuring our workplace is where everyone feels comfortable coming to work as their whole self every day. We want the best talent around the world to be energized to join us, motivated to stay and empowered to thrive. Sounds like Citi has everything you need? Then apply to discover the true extent of your capabilities.

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.