AI Development Lead - Services Tech - Director in London

Engineer the future of global finance. At Citi, our Tech team doesn’t just support finance – we are helping to redefine it. Every day, $5 trillion crosses through our network. We do business in 180+ countries operating at a scale few can match. From deploying advanced AI to helping shape global markets, we build systems that matter. Look to join a team where your work helps influence economies, your ideas can drive innovation and outcomes, and your growth is backed by mentorship, continuous learning and flexibility with potential hybrid work opportunities. Help solve real-world challenges that touch millions and get the opportunity to build the future of finance with Citi Tech.

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.

Citi Services is a core business unit within Citigroup that provides global treasury, trade, and securities services to roughly 19,000 corporate and financial institution clients. Described as a "crown jewel" by management, it focuses on cash management, cross-border payments, working capital solutions, and asset servicing across roughly 190 countries.

• Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS): Helps companies move, manage, and invest money, including liquidity management, payments/receivables, and trade financing.
• Securities Services: Provides custodial services to investment managers, tracking the value of holdings and facilitating the issuance of debt and equity securities.
• Digital Innovation: Utilizes proprietary networks for instant payments and blockchain-based tools (Citi Token Services) for 24/7 liquidity management.

The AI Development Lead for Services Technology oversees the entire lifecycle of AI and machine learning initiatives, bridging technical teams (data scientists/engineers) with business strategy. You are responsible for setting project roadmaps, ensuring technical feasibility, deploying AI models, and ensuring ethical AI deployment to deliver business value. Key duties include team leadership, resource management, and setting strategic direction.

Responsibilities:

• Manage/develop multiple teams of professionals to accomplish established goals and conduct personnel duties for team (e.g. performance evaluations, hiring and disciplinary actions) as well as ensure team adheres to best practices and process.
• Develop vision for team around roles and responsibilities, and structure team to ensure greatest impact, efficient use of resource, and alignment to business structures.
• Prepare and present regular team/project reviews to senior management and business leaders.
• Drive the design and development of system architecture, work with end-users of the systems, and enhance the quality of deliverables.
• Ensure staff follows Citi documented policy and procedures as well as maintain desktop procedures and supporting documentation for filings on a current basis and in comprehensive manner.
• Monitor and manage approach/end results, budgeting, planning, policy formation, and contribute to future strategy of the area(s).
• Ensure change is managed with appropriate controls, documentation, and approvals including implementation of new and revised regulatory reporting requirements.
• Research and resolve issues, provide recommendations, and escalate to senior management as needed.
• Manage and maintain all disaster recovery plans, oversee appropriate testing, and provide permit-to-operate for new applications.
• Lead and deliver local staff forums, present global, regional, and location news and updates to engage team in the progress of organization.
• Contribute to defining and implementing best practices and processes for the department and ensure transparency and consistency across teams.
• Appropriately 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 Policy, applying sound ethical judgement regarding personal behavior, 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.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of relevant experience.
• 8-10+ years of managerial experience.
• Experienced in Agile ways of working, including use of relevant tools and ceremonies to Agile, Scrum and Kanban.
• In-depth knowledge and experience with modern tech stack including Java, Microservices, Containerization, RDBMS, Big Data, Cloud and UI/UX technologies.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, adapting to unexpected changes in expectations or requirements.
• Ability to engineer robust technical solutions with a focus on reliability and long-term total cost of ownership.
• Working knowledge of Compliance/Risk & Controls concepts and functions within financial services.
• Demonstrated leadership, management, and team development skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to facilitate discussions.

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, 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.