At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technology strategy for Corporate Shared Services and drive innovation with GenAI solutions.
- Company: Join Citi, a world-leading global bank with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a high-performing team driving transformation in a global organisation.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a dynamic role at the forefront of financial technology.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in tech leadership, with experience in financial services and large-scale application development.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 150000 £ per year.
Citi Overview
Citi is a world-leading global bank.
We provide consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.
We enable clients to achieve their strategic financial objectives by providing them with cutting‑edge ideas, best‑in‑class products and solutions, and unparalleled access to capital and liquidity.
Overview of the organization
The Chief Operating Office (COO) Technology organization is responsible for defining and executing technology strategy, roadmap, and Gen AI adoption across Core Operations, Corporate Shared Services, Controls, and enterprise Gen AI initiatives.
The COO Technology capability sits within the CIO organization reporting to the CIO and COO of the firm.
The organization ensures strategic alignment of solutions across a diverse portfolio of cross‑business and functional capabilities such as KYC, Fraud, Cash Management, Reconciliations, and Regulatory Reporting.
It also drives the modernization of enterprise applications and process reengineering through shared services, comprehensive data architecture, automation, and adoption of Generative AI solutions.
Corporate Shared Services is a newly established capability within the COO organization, reporting directly to the COO of the firm.
It is responsible for all non‑client‑facing operations, including Cash Services (Payroll & Supplier Strategy, Cash Management, Bank Network Management, Payment Controls & Processing Risk and Client Asset Oversight), Balance sheet substantiation and Reconciliation, Non‑Financial Regulatory Reporting and International Operations.
Job Purpose
The Head of Corporate Shared Services Technology will be a key leader in the COO technology organization and across the broader CIO organization.
They will be responsible for designing, developing and executing the overall architecture vision and strategy for cross‑business operations functions including cash management, payments control services, global reconciliations, non‑finance regulatory reporting, and payroll.
This role requires deep experience in designing, executing, and managing complex systems at scale, a passion for architectural simplification, and a demonstrable commitment to building sustainable, future‑ready platforms.
Driving enterprise adoption of Gen AI solutions including large language models and agentic flows is a critical component for executing the vision.
The successful candidate will partner with SMEs across business, operations, finance, and technology functions and transformation leads to develop architecture blueprints, end‑to‑end systems design, operating model, and a multi‑year Gen AI execution roadmap.
The role reports directly into the Head of Technology COO.
Role Summary
The Head of Corporate Shared Services Technology is a senior leadership role accountable for owning and driving the technology book of work supporting all the functions under Corporate Shared Services.
This individual will serve as the primary technology counterpart to the Head of Corporate Shared Services, providing dedicated, executive‑level engagement to ensure the seamless integration of technology strategy with business priorities.
This leader will act as a strategic technology advisor across architecture and risk, bringing an enterprise mindset to simplify, modernize, and strengthen the Controls technology landscape.
The role is responsible for translating COO business strategy into a clear, executable multi‑year technology roadmap and ensuring disciplined delivery with measurable business outcomes.
The position combines portfolio leadership, delivery execution, and senior stakeholder engagement, with accountability for governance, funding, value realization, and regulatory alignment across a complex, high‑impact portfolio.
Responsibilities
- Portfolio Strategy & Planning
- Own and maintain the multi‑year technology roadmap aligned to Corporate Shared Services strategic priorities, enterprise architecture, finance targets, and risk mandates.
- Lead annual planning and quarterly reprioritization cycles, including intake, scoping, sizing, dependency mapping, sequencing, and funding alignment.
- Translate business outcomes into prioritized technology initiatives with clear ROI and measurable impact.
- Ensure a strong linkage between strategy, execution, and value realization.
- End‑to‑End Delivery Leadership
- Lead cross‑functional delivery spanning engineering, product, architecture, cyber, risk & compliance, data, and operations.
- Drive execution discipline across the SDLC and adjacent governance processes (requirements, design reviews, testing, release, and change management).
- Ensure production readiness, operational stability, and high‑quality delivery outcomes.
- Proactively manage dependencies, critical paths, and risks to ensure on‑time and on‑budget execution.
- COO Technology Partnership & Governance
- Serve as the primary technology point of contact and dedicated executive‑level partner for the Head of Corporate Shared Services and Head of COO Technology.
- Develop and deliver executive‑level communications, including steering committee materials and portfolio updates to improve decision‑making speed and reduce execution risk.
- Lead governance forums including Steering Committees, Portfolio Review Boards, and Architecture Review Boards.
- Ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment across all stakeholders.
- Drive the adoption of shared services across the enterprise in partnership with other CIO leads.
- Architecture, Risk & Controls Advisory
- Act as a strategic advisor on architecture and risk, bringing an enterprise‑wide perspective to Corporate Shared Services technology.
- Drive simplification and consolidation of the Corporate Shared Services technology ecosystem.
- Partner closely with Controls, Risk, and Compliance stakeholders to ensure robust, scalable, and compliant solutions.
- Embed strong risk and control frameworks into all phases of technology delivery.
- Innovation, Automation & Efficiency
- Identify and deliver AI‑driven and automation opportunities across Corporate Shared Services, including generative AI, predictive analytics, workflow intelligence, and RPA.
- Lead efficiency and productivity programs targeting improvements in cycle time, quality, throughput, and cost‑to‑serve.
- Organizational & Financial Leadership
- Lead and develop a high‑performing global organization (including teams of circa 100+ professionals) through multiple layers of management.
- Establish optimal team structures, roles, and operating models aligned to business and technology priorities.
- Drive a culture of accountability, inclusion, innovation, and continuous learning.
- Manage the technology portfolio budget (circa $100mm), ensuring effective funding allocation and cost discipline, and drive financial transparency across all initiatives.
- Optimize vendor strategy, including strategic sourcing, partnerships, and outsourcing.
Qualifications
- 15+ years of relevant experience in technology, with a proven track record of leading large‑scale application development organizations.
- 10+ years of managerial experience, including managing senior leaders and large, global teams.
- Proven track record in delivering enterprise utilities, shared services in financial services.
- Hands‑on expertise in financial services and operations preferred. Experience with liquidity, cash management, reconciliations, reporting strongly preferred.
- Significant experience in a senior technology leadership role, acting as a strategic partner to senior business executives.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong peer and business relationships.
- Advanced knowledge of industry practices, standards, rules, and regulations within the financial services sector.
- Expertise in software development processes and practices (SDLC), with a strong focus on execution discipline.
- Demonstrated knowledge of architecture, complex systems, and key technology areas within funds administration.
- Proven track record and mature understanding of adoption of Gen AI solutions beyond Po Cs, and pilots.
- Strong working knowledge of risk, controls, and compliance frameworks.
- Strong communication skills and ability to decompose complex requirements into simple concepts to bring people along the journey on a shared vision.
Education
- Bachelor's degree/University degree or equivalent experience is required.
- Master's degree is preferred.
EEO Statement
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 at Citi.
View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.
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Head of Corporate Shared Services Technology, MD (C16) employer: Citi
Citi is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to thrive in a fast-paced financial services environment. With generous benefits such as 27 days of annual leave, private medical care, and extensive learning resources, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally. Located in a vibrant city, Citi provides unique opportunities for collaboration across global teams, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
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We think this is how you could land Head of Corporate Shared Services Technology, MD (C16)
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Corporate Shared Services Technology, MD (C16)
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