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Team/Role Overview
We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to support Citi’s Swiss Legal Team in a broad variety of legal matters advising multiple business lines and functions. The team supports all Swiss Citi Entities, businesses as well as other teams and functions in all legal matters.
Specifically, the team is part of the Banking and International Legal division and provides support primarily to the Private Bank business that offers wealth management, investment and banking services to high-net-worth clients. Additionally, the team also supports the Corporate, Commercial and Investment Banking businesses as well as Citi Markets and Services business lines in Switzerland.
We are looking for an experienced Legal Counsel who is able to work independently and support the above businesses in a broad variety of legal matters. In this position, the successful candidate will report directly to the Head of the Swiss Legal Team and work very closely with the other team members based in Zurich and Geneva as well as other Country and Product Legal Teams in the region and globally.
This is a senior level position responsible for providing guidance, support, and legal advice on Citi's businesses and functions in Switzerland, Monaco and Liechtenstein. The overall objective of this role is to provide legal support, advice, and guidance across a broad range of practice areas, with respect to the local laws and regulations of the countries for which the Country General Counsel and Department Head is responsible.
This role requires thorough understanding of the business needs and expectations, combined with a solid conceptual / practical grounding in the laws and regulations of the geographies in which we operate. A successful candidate will provide input into strategic decisions, exercising sound legal judgement to develop proactive, risk-appropriate, and commercially practical business-oriented solutions.
What you’ll do
Provides legal advice and support to Country Business and Legal Entity Management on legal and regulatory matters associated with Citi’s business activities and legal entities in the countries covered; ensures that Citi is appropriately addressing legal, regulatory, franchise and reputational risks in these countries
Supports strategic initiatives of the businesses and functions in countries covered by providing Citi Country Management with guidance and interpretations of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices, and advising business management on legal matters impacting the business
Provides accurate and timely legal advice to internal partners, including analysis and monitoring of legal and regulatory developments and advising front, middle and back office in a wide variety of legal matters in close cooperation with Compliance colleagues as well as the Product Legal Teams mainly based in the UK, Ireland and the US
Supports the Department Head in all Corporate Governance related matters (incl. organization of Board and Shareholders Meetings)
Supports projects with local, regional and global impact, such as various Outsourcing projects and Digital initiatives with a focus on data privacy/protection, cloud computing and artificial intelligence
Creates and reviews internal and external legal documentation (incl. client account documents) as well as standard contracts and terms & conditions
Drafts, reviews and negotiates a broad range of commercial contracts with internal and external clients as well as suppliers to the bank
Negotiates guarantees, non-disclosure agreements, loan agreements, procurements contracts and other legal documents
Provides legal advice to Citi colleagues in other jurisdictions with regards to clients based and/or incorporated in Switzerland (e.g. regulatory & corporate governance related queries, trade register)
Directly liaises with external counsels as well as interaction with Swiss authorities and regulators
Managing (in cooperation with external counsel) litigation cases (incl. client complaints, HR cases, internal investigations, etc)
Participating and representing the Swiss Legal Department in various local, regional and global meetings and committees
Providing legal advice with respect to local and regional/global regulatory projects for all Swiss businesses
Supporting the Human Resources Department in a variety of employment law related questions
What we’ll need from you
Post-graduate legal experience in a Swiss Bank (preferably with an international focus) or in a Swiss or International Law Firm (banking experience)
Expertise in Data Privacy/Protection, Outsourcing, Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence would be an advantage
Experience in Private Banking related issues, preferably in an international environment, would be an advantage
Proven ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously in a demanding, fast-paced environment
Comprehensive knowledge of international, multi-jurisdictional laws and practices while staying abreast of regulatory and legal environment, internal policies and industry trends that impact the business
Languages: Excellent command of English and German (verbally and in writing), additional Swiss language(s) would be an advantage
Competencies
Excellent leadership, interpersonal, organizational and relationship management skills
Team player and co-operative, team-oriented work style
Strong business and legal judgment and commercial attitude
Focus on risk identification, assessment, management and mitigation as well as analytical approach to identifying, and practical approach to solving issues
Eager to work independently in a small Team and keen to learn and take on new responsibilities
Outstanding communication and negotiating skills and ability to work and communicate with all levels of the organization
Education
Legal qualification from a Swiss University is a requirement
Swiss Bar would be an advantage
Development Value
The successful candidate will be part of a large international organization where teamwork, professionalism and integrity are an integral part of the provision of legal services. The role provides an excellent opportunity to deepen the knowledge and experience in an international financial institution that often offers tailored solutions to its very sophisticated clients. The role further offers exposure to a great variety and complexity of legal matters and very close interactions with business colleagues and senior management.
This job description provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required.
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Job Family Group:
Legal------------------------------------------------------
Job Family:
Legal - Country------------------------------------------------------
Time Type:
Full time------------------------------------------------------
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.
Citi Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Citi and has not been reviewed or approved by Citi.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is presented as comprehensive, including free in-network preventive care, mental-health resources, and the Be Well Program. Materials also state new hires have access to health and insurance benefits from the outset.
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Retirement Support — The retirement plan offers a $1-for-$1 match up to 6% of eligible pay. New employees are eligible for the plan, with automatic enrollment after 90 days if they do not enroll themselves.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — Benefits highlight fertility treatment coverage, adoption/surrogacy reimbursement up to $30,000, and disability coverage. Coverage extends to spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender identity or sexuality, with gender-affirming care-related support noted.
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