Senior Lead Counsel 1 - Product Business & Strategic Initiatives - SVP

The Senior Lead Counsel I is a senior level position responsible for providing legal guidance and thought leadership to the business. The overall objective of this role is to provide legal support, advice, and guidance to the business.

This role requires a pragmatic, proactive attorney with thorough understanding of the Business, combined with a solid conceptual / practical grounding in the laws and regulations for the geographies in which we operate. Provides input into strategic decisions, exercising sound legal judgement to develop proactive, risk-appropriate, and commercially practical business-oriented solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing legal counsel to the Business, participating in strategic initiatives, providing subject matter expertise and interpretations of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices, and advising business management on legal matters impacting the business
• Objectively evaluates Business proposals by applying institutional knowledge and risk appetite against industry standards, widely accepted business practices, laws, rules, 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; coordinate closely with the Legal team on a regional and global basis
• Participates in BUSINESS planning and development initiatives; contribute to business objectives by providing thought leadership using knowledge of industry, laws, and regulations
• Proactively identifies, evaluates, and contributes to the appropriate management of legal, regulatory, and reputational risk by collaborating with ICRM & Risk, following relevant legal developments, participating in internal projects, escalating as appropriate
• Manages day-to-day legal activities as a subject matter expert in area of responsibility and provide advisory services to business partners
• Monitors management of complex legal issues and transactions, escalating when necessary
• 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 judgment 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:

• 10+ years of relevant industry experience, preferably in financial services
• Banking or financial industry experience, including laws related to banking regulations
• Knowledge of international laws, regulations and practices while staying abreast of regulatory and legal environment, internal policies and industry trends that impact the business
• Experience with complex deals, demonstrated ability to analyze issues and develop legal solutions
• Effective communication and negotiation skills and ability to build and maintain trusted relationships
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and relationship management skills
• Proven ability to apply sound judgement while managing assignments in a demanding, fast-paced environment
• Bar license in good standing to practice law

Education:

• Juris Doctorate or equivalent law degree

Citi is seeking a seasoned lawyer to work with its industry-leading foreign exchange business to provide legal support across a range of trading activity with a particular focus on large, complex, transactions. As Senior Lead Counsel 1 - Foreign Exchange, this role will provide cutting edge legal support focused on structuring, risk assessing, and documenting large transactions designed to meet specific needs of corporate and institutional counterparties.

This role will be responsible for:

• Working in close partnership with the business product team on all aspects of legal and regulatory risk assessment of proposed large FX transactions, including but not limited to deal contingent and loan-linked transactions
• Advising business partners on the assessment of due diligence information and transactional documents relevant to related or underlying transactions
• Providing legal input to and oversight of drafting complex documentation of FX transactions
• Advising on regulatory requirements and risks in connection with transaction structures
• Building partnerships and on-going engagement with cross-functional teams, including, Risk, Compliance, and Operations ensure an on-going and resilient end-to-end legal risk and control framework
• Maintaining an on-going collaboration and engagement with relevant industry groups to stay current on industry best practices, emerging risks, proposed rules, regulations, regulatory guidance, regulatory developments (such as antitrust/competition law enforcement actions).

Successful candidates should have:

• 7+ years of relevant industry experience, preferably in capital markets/financial services
• Experience advising on structured FX or derivatives transactions, strategic investing and/or M&A transactions
• Demonstrated strength and skill in establishing effective working relationships across the business and support functions
• Proven ability to apply sound judgement while managing assignments in a demanding, fast-paced environment
• Basic knowledge of US, UK, and EU regulations applicable to the institutional foreign exchange market
• Bar license in good standing to practice law
• Preferred skills: Working experience guiding a fund, investment company, corporation, or financial institution (as purchaser, seller, or hedge provider) on M&A or complex financing transactions, including, experience leading legal negotiations with counterparty’s legal counsel on complex transactional documents

Education:

• Juris Doctorate or equivalent law degree

-

Job Family Group:

Legal

-

Job Family:

Legal - Product

-

Time Type:

Full time

-

Primary Location:

New York New York United States

-

Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:

$211,280.00 - $316,920.00

In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.

-

Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

-

Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

-

Anticipated Posting Close Date:

Sep 03, 2025

-

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.