Legal Counsel

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.

Team/Role Overview

An opportunity has arisen in the Belfast Markets Legal Contract Management team for an in-house counsel role to support key Sales and Trading businesses primarily the FX, LM, Rates and Corporate Solutions businesses. The overall objective of this role is to provide legal support, advice, and guidance to the business. This role requires a pragmatic, proactive professional with a thorough understanding of the business covered by the team and its products and services. This role also requires a thorough understanding of the contractual terms and legal implications of Citi’s documentation. Excellent communication skills are required as this role also provides direction to Citi businesses in discussions on
the various contractual provisions, including on the risks of modifying or amending such terms and provisions.

What you’ll do

• Negotiate/review legal agreements with internal/external customers to reach agreement on the contents of the Bank’s legal documentation, through telephonic or electronic negotiation and legal lock in sessions / client meetings (where required).
• Closely liaise with internal businesses/London Legal in connection with the negotiation of legal agreements in the relevant business area. Convey strong commercial awareness and understanding of the desk’s priorities by ensuring prioritisation of file load is aligned with overall desk goals. 
• Interpret key commercial concepts from an array of trading agreements (including  ISDA Master Agreements, Credit Support Annexes, Termination Agreements, Counterparty Guarantees, CDEAs, GMRAs, GMSLAs and ancillary documentation and incorporate into EMEA specific documentation, accounting for the necessary regulatory and/or jurisdictional changes where required.
• Apply in-depth understanding of how associated risks differ depending on product and documentation envisaged in relevant jurisdiction(s) and advise Risk and Business accordingly.
• Ensure Citi’s internal and regulatory policies are maintained, and where deviations are necessary, ensuring appropriate risk and / or business approvals are obtained.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of process improvements, through liaising with internal stakeholders such as Technology, Risk, Client Risk Facilitation, Client Onboarding, Regulatory Reform, CVA, Operations and Legal.
• Make sure key governance and control checks are implemented during documentation process; proactively identify and escalate issues within the relevant business.
• Understand impact of applicable regulations on the business area and ensure that agreements meet with such regulatory requirements.  
• Problem solve in order to facilitate solutions to ensure technology systems and legal documentation can support client offerings in order to drive forward the client experience.  Involvement with technology development discussions as and when potential solutions are being requested from or offered to clients which may have systems and/or documentation implications.
• Assist with knowledge sharing and preparation of know-how manuals. Provide support and/or training to team members as required.
• Comply with internal and external audits requests to include supplying client documentation and other relevant information as requested by auditors in accordance with specified timeframes.

What we’ll need from you

• Experience with negotiating ISDA Master Agreements and associated key trading infrastructure documentation including collateral documentation is preferred, experience of working in a legal/large service orientated organisation.
• Proven track record in delivering results in a challenging and changing environment.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, to be a true self-starter
• Working knowledge of PC operating systems, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written & verbal) at all organisational levels with internal business partners and external customers and ability to effectively project manage and organise own workload meeting key milestones
• Strong attention to detail and high levels of accuracy, and ability to provide continuous feedback and to regularly follow up on all outstanding issues.
• Unwavering commitment to co-operative and collaborative working and strategic and goal-orientated focus.
• Bachelors/University legal degree, Qualified or in the process of qualification or equivalent law degree

What we can offer you

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. 

Sounds like Citi has everything you need? Then apply to discover the true extent of your capabilities. 

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