Associate Lawyer - Citi

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 Investor Services Legal Team.

Citi's Legal Department in Belfast is a team of approximately 120 staff, covering a range of products and services across Citi's Europe, UK, Middle East and Africa Cluster. The Belfast Legal Department provides a range of services, support and advice to many business areas; incorporating transaction negotiation, master agreement negotiation, and oversight of compliance and regulatory requirements.

The role will involve an active engagement with the business, principally out of Belfast, but there will also be daily interaction with the rest of the cluster. The Associate Legal Counsel is an intermediate supporting role in the Belfast Investor Services Legal team, working closely with the product desks across Europe, UK, Middle East and Africa and supporting senior lawyers in the Global Custody Legal team to provide advice and assistance at all stages of the product lifecycle. This role practically also supports global custody legal model and supports global projects as required.

The role involves supporting senior lawyers on advising and managing legal and regulatory risk pertinent to Custody client relationships and reporting into the Custody Legal Group Manager on all issues and points of concern relevant to these responsibilities.

What You'll Do

• Support senior lawyers globally in advising the Custody business, on all aspects of legal risk as it pertains to their business - with respect to (i) negotiations with key platinum clients; (ii) risk issues which materialize in the business on a non BAU basis; and (iii) regulatory change implementation and associated issues relating to key regulations relevant to the Custody business.
• Review independently as well as support the wider global legal team in negotiating a variety of custody legal documentation with internal and external customers to reach agreement on the contents of same, through telephonic or electronic negotiation, and in line with the internal negotiation guidelines as applicable.
• Assist the legal team in provision of legal guidance and expertise to the Custody Services business lines throughout global Custody product and product development matters including general advice and negotiation and drafting of transaction documentation, contracts and development of relevant templates.
• Maintain accurate status reports on negotiation developments within the team and exercise best practice in documentation management, negotiation and execution understanding with guidance from senior team members, the various legal and regulatory requirements of the Custody business and providing legal support in respect of same.
• Advise in consultation with senior lawyers in the team, business, risk and relationship managers on the potential legal risks involved in changing documentation.
• Manage day-to-day legal activities, serving as a subject matter expert in area of responsibility and provide advisory services to business partners.
• Build relationships with various internal stakeholders such as local legal counsels, product, risk, relationship managers and implementation contacts. Partnering with the said internal stakeholders to assess and implement new regulatory requirements, new initiatives/product offerings including assistance with the product approval process.
• Assist the business from a legal standpoint to participate in various RFPs.
• Help the legal team in management of external counsel and providing assistance in budgeting.
• Ensuring Citibank's policies are duly adhered to.

What we'll need from you

• Relevant industry experience, preferably with some experience working in an in-house legal role within financial services.
• Ability to manage complex documentation with organization and detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and project management skills, as well as the ability to interact and communicate effectively with senior management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook.
• In-depth knowledge of legal customs and practices, and understanding of the financial services industry.
• You must have a high-quality academic record including a Bachelors/University degree qualification in the relevant discipline of law.

What we can offer you

You will be expected to develop a strong understanding of Citi's Custody products, services and client base. You will be instrumental in providing legal support and gaining experience in a wide range of product documentation in Custody across a multitude of jurisdictions.

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 discretional 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.

Citi is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.