Global Network Banking - GNB, Japan Desk

Job Purpose

• Growth and development of a Japan client portfolio in the Global Network Banking (GNB) business in Europe, providing a balanced risk/reward framework while driving business growth across the Europe–Japan corridor.
• Senior Banker for Japan-parented clients having subsidiaries, regional headquarters, and treasury centres in Europe, spanning key markets including Germany, France, the Netherlands, and broader Western and Central Europe.
• The role is a hybrid one in the sense that the regional treasury centers of non-Japanese headquartered companies are also in scope of being covered.
• Enhancing the quality of client relationships by providing strategic content and advice, reaching trusted advisor status with all priority clients across the European corridor.
• Setting clear strategic priorities to build competitive strengths and a differentiated coverage model for Japanese MNCs operating in Europe.
• Fostering and leveraging relationships inside and outside the organization, with all stakeholders that could impact the GNB franchise, building networks that go beyond strictly business-related issues.

Job Background / Context

• The Global Network Banking business serves the world's leading multinational corporations, with Japanese Multi National Clients (MNC) representing one of the most strategically important client segments within Citi's global network. Citi Japan stands as the third largest client franchise within Citi's extensive global network.
• The Japan Desk Banker is a senior member of a unique global relationship network that is widely regarded by global players as being best-in-class in terms of client coverage and delivery of banking solutions in over 90 countries. They orchestrate the delivery of Citi's vast global product platform and develop integrated strategies, by acting as the primary point of contact for clients and by working closely with banking partners across the corridor.
• Europe represents a cornerstone and growing corridor for Japanese MNCs, with Japan's leading corporations maintaining significant and expanding presences across automotive, advanced manufacturing, technology, chemicals, life sciences, and financial services sectors. Increasing M&A activity, supply chain investment, sustainability-linked capital deployment, and treasury centralization across European hubs create exceptional opportunities to originate sophisticated  banking solutions and deepen client relationships.
• This role supports a holistic, end-to-end, global approach to serving Japanese multinational clients across all industry sectors represented in Europe.
• As part of an origination team, the role involves a significant amount of client contact both face-to-face and virtually, across multiple European markets and in close coordination with Citi's Japan banking franchise.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver the annual budgeted revenue growth developed in agreement with Product partners, driving specific origination and wallet expansion initiatives as required.
• Engage in strategic dialogue with clients' senior management, opening access to the highest levels of their organisation across the European corridor.
• Nurture existing client relationships to become a trusted advisor on European strategy, market navigation, treasury, and risk management.
• Implement calling plans to ensure business development is pursued systematically across the client base. Become the designated senior calling officer for selected Japanese multinational clients who are intensive users of Citi's global network.
• Lead and assist the banker team in digging deeper to identify clients' full needs across treasury, trade, financing, and risk management in the European context.
• Manage clients' expectations and effectively engage in complex and difficult discussions with clients.
• Provide strong personal leadership and mentorship within the Europe GNB Japan Desk team of bankers.
• Build and maintain a best-in-class coverage team. Develop strategies to attract, retain, and develop the best talent across the region.
• Foster innovation, in particular through initiatives originated within the team and together with key product and coverage partners.
• Manage delivery of Citi's global network by providing a consistent coverage approach to Japanese multinational corporate clients through liaising with banking partners, providing 'network' forums to facilitate communication, and ensuring product partner connectivity across Citi.
• Implement a management discipline based on relevant key drivers and metrics to boost the growth of the business, conducting formal and informal performance evaluations, providing adequate guidance and feedback, and adapting strategies as necessary.
• Maximise deal origination and replication around network solutions. Act as the senior link between the coverage and product organisations to provide a holistic service to Japanese multinational clients.
• Agree with product partners the future vision, trend, and direction of each product within the coverage space; foster innovation in products and solutions, and communicate to ensure alignment within the team and across the corridor.
• Maximise returns from asset products (regardless of industry) and ensure coordination with Banking and product partners for appropriate tradeoffs where required.
• Execute business by optimally leveraging Bank resources, prioritising the biggest opportunities with the best attention while maintaining coverage of the broader client base.
• Act as the strategic "Quarterback" for Citi's Japan franchise in Europe. Continuously monitor market trends, client movements, and competitor activities across the region, proactively reporting insights and emerging opportunities to the Tokyo team. Ensure the Japan Business strategy in Europe remains agile, well-informed, and globally aligned.
• Ensure full compliance with internal and regulatory policies on Risk, Control, Know Your Customer (KYC), and Anti-Money Laundering (AML). Foster the highest standards of ethics, control, and risk management.

Development Value

• Leadership of a high-profile and strategically significant global banking corridor with full commercial accountability
• Development of commercial skills across the full Citi product range for large-cap, globally significant Japanese MNC clients across diverse European markets
• Broadening of senior relationship management, origination, corporate banking, and sales skills across a multi-market, multi-cultural environment
• Deepening of knowledge of Treasury & Trade Solutions (TTS) and non-TTS product suite (focus on Markets, Trade Finance, Trade Services, Risk Management, and Financing)
• Development and refinement of credit skills and Corporate Finance advisory capabilities
• Opportunity to exercise senior leadership with increasing commercial independence and full regional accountability
• Exposure to an open, multicultural, and diverse working environment spanning Japan and Europe
• Coordinate and foster Regional relationships across the European corridor

Knowledge / Experience

• Demonstrate industry and product expertise across Cash Management, Trade Finance, Markets, FX, Derivatives, Loan Products, and Capital Markets products
• Significant senior-level work experience within banking or financial services organisations, with a strong track record of managing and growing large, complex multinational client relationships
• Deep familiarity with Japanese corporate culture, business practices, and the strategic priorities of Japan's leading MNCs internationally
• Relevant Credit/Risk experience; balanced and commercially disciplined risk taker
• Proven origination track record across complex, multi-product, cross-border transactions
• Knowledge of European accounting, legal, and compliance principles and procedures relating to the role

Qualifications

• High level of relevant experience within a similar senior banking role preferred
• MBA or Master's Degree in Business or Finance
• Demonstrated collaboration with multiple corporate banking stakeholders including coverage teams, risk, and products
• Comprehensive knowledge of corporate banking business including related products, pertinent regulations, and the lending and credit approval process
• Demonstrated leadership, organisational, negotiation, presentation, client-relationship building, analytical, and credit skills
• Consistently demonstrated clear and concise written and verbal communication at the most senior levels
• Experience in originating, structuring, and executing complex transactions and financings
• Experience with large, global corporate clients across capital markets, derivatives, credit, cash management, trade, finance, and securities products
• Experience in recruiting and managing diverse teams with commitment to talent development and ability to manage and work across a diverse and multi-country matrix structure

Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication and executive presentation skills
• Fluency in Japanese and English (spoken and written) is essential.
• Ability to efficiently manage complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships across geographies and functions
• Flexibility and adaptability in navigating complex and ambiguous environments
• Highly motivated, self-driven, and self-confident
• Good judgement, maturity, and cultural sensitivity
• Strong personal leadership and team-building capability

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Job Family Group:

Institutional Banking

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Job Family:

Corporate Banking

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Time Type:

Full time

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Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:

€130,000.00 - €275,000.00

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Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

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Other Relevant Skills

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

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