Senior Lead Counsel - Country - Senior Vice President in London

Overview

The Senior Lead Counsel - Country - Senior Vice President is a senior level position responsible for providing legal counsel and support to aligned countries/geographies of responsibility. The objective is to provide legal support, advice and guidance across a broad range of practice areas, with respect to the local laws and regulations of the country or countries for which the Country General Counsel is responsible.

What You'll Do

This role is responsible for providing guidance, support and legal advice on Citi's businesses and functions in the UK. It requires understanding of the business needs and expectations, combined with a solid grounding in the laws and regulations of the geographies in which we operate. The role-holder will provide input into strategic decisions, exercising sound legal judgement to develop proactive, risk-appropriate and commercially practical solutions. This position is also expected to support the Country General Counsel in their role as UK Company Secretary, helping to oversee governance and corporate administration duties for Citi’s legal entities in the jurisdiction.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and support to UK business management on legal, control function and regulatory matters associated with Citi’s local business activities and legal entities; ensures that Citi is appropriately addressing legal, regulatory, franchise and reputational risks in the UK.
• Supports strategic initiatives of the businesses and functions in the UK by providing legal guidance and interpretations of relevant laws, rules, regulations and industry practices, and advising management on legal matters impacting their businesses.
• Responsible for coordinating the provision of internal and external legal support to Citi’s local businesses in the UK, working closely with relevant product counsel to ensure that Citi’s legal needs are met in a cost-effective manner.
• Develops a broad understanding of Citi’s businesses in the UK and of the major legal and regulatory risks facing those businesses, whether originating from UK or overseas regimes.
• Ensures business decisions are made with appropriate legal advice and input by applying institutional knowledge against industry standards and regulatory guidelines, escalating as appropriate.
• Collaborates across internal lines of business and control/support functions to achieve coordinated and efficient outcomes on matters of common interest; coordinates closely with other Legal team members, as appropriate.
• Advises (or arranges for the provision of legal advice by other internal or external counsel) business management on legal and regulatory risks affecting Citi’s businesses in the UK, as well as franchise and reputational risks, to help ensure that Citi is addressing those risks.
• Provides legal advice to the UK Chief Country Officer and other UK management to support the maintenance of good relations with local regulators and other public bodies relevant to Citi’s business activities.
• Assures that key legal and regulatory developments that may impact Citi’s businesses in the country are appropriately monitored and that country management is apprised of significant developments.
• Supports the Country General Counsel in their role as UK Company Secretary, working alongside the UK Company Secretariat to oversee governance and corporate administration duties for the legal entities in the jurisdiction, including preparation for Board meetings.
• Takes an active role in relevant country-level or cluster-level executive governance committees as assigned (e.g., executive and management committees, business risk & controls committees, legal & compliance committees).
• Appropriately assesses risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm’s reputation and safeguarding Citi, its clients and assets by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to applicable policies, applying sound ethical judgment, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency.

What We Need From You

• Relevant experience, preferably including meaningful financial services exposure.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, organisational and relationship management skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
• Sound knowledge of international, multi-jurisdictional laws and practices.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills and ability to maintain trusted relationships.
• Duly licensed and/or certified as a UK or overseas lawyer in active status and in good standing.

Education

• University degree or equivalent and applicable legal qualifications.

What We Can Offer You

We work hard to have a positive financial and social impact on the communities we serve. We put our employees first and provide the benefits they need to be well, live well and save well. By joining Citi London, you will be part of a business casual workplace with a hybrid working model (up to 2 days working at home per week), and receive a competitive base salary (annually reviewed), plus additional benefits such as generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days plus.