Senior Lead Counsel - Director - Retail Services; Hybrid

Job Description

The Senior Lead Counsel II is a senior level position responsible for serving as strategic business partner and subject matter expert by providing legal counsel and thought leadership to the Citi Retail Services business, which operates private label and co-branded credit card programs and offers digital lending solutions for retailers across the U.S.

This role requires a thorough understanding of the strategic direction of the Citi Retail Services business, combined with extensive knowledge of U.S. laws and regulations applicable to the credit card industry. This attorney will provide input into strategic decisions, exercising sound legal judgement to develop proactive, risk-appropriate and commercially practical business-oriented solutions.

• Legal counsel to the Citi Retail Services business, supporting strategic retail partner initiatives for private label and co-branded credit cards, providing subject matter expertise and interpretations of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices, and advising management on all manner of legal matters and risks impacting the business
• Providing advisory services in respect of business decisions by applying institutional knowledge against credit card industry standards, widely accepted business practices, laws, rules, and regulatory guidelines, escalating where appropriate
• Collaborating across internal lines of business and control/support functions to achieve coordinated and efficient outcomes on matters of common interest; coordinates closely with the other consumer Legal teams
• Serving as business partner and advisor to business stakeholders and functional partners (e.g., Risk, Finance, Compliance) by participating in planning and development initiatives; contributing to business objectives by using knowledge of credit card industry, laws, and regulations
• Actively participating in various risk reviews, governance and control forums while demonstrating keen awareness of issues that could cause financial, reputational, or legal consequences
• Proactively identifying, evaluating and contributing to the appropriate management of legal, regulatory, and reputational risk through cross-function collaboration, following relevant legal developments, participating in internal projects, and escalating as appropriate
• Managing day-to-day legal activities as a subject matter expert in area of responsibility and provide senior advisory services to business partners regarding retail partner credit card programs
• Negotiating, coordinating, and monitoring management of complex legal issues and making key decisions within area of responsibility, escalating where necessary
• Appropriately assessing 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

• 10+ years of relevant industry experience in financial services with extensive experience in the credit card industry
• Excellent leadership, communication and relationship management skills
• Experience in working with regulators/regulatory bodies is preferred
• Proven ability to apply sound judgement while managing multiple assignments simultaneously in a demanding, fast-paced environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state consumer credit laws affecting the credit card industry, including Truth-in-Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Electronic Funds Transfer Act, Privacy laws and UDAAP
• Extensive experience advising on credit card matters, including: credit card account origination and issuance; marketing materials and consumer disclosures and collateral; rewards programs; digital applications, interfaces and wallets; issue identification and remediation; credit bureau…