Overview
Working as part of the Wealth Legal department, this role will be a core member of the global Capital Markets Legal team, focusing on the UK, Europe and Middle East business. The role involves advising on general regulatory implementation, transactional Capital Markets work and Capital Markets business projects and initiatives. This role requires a pragmatic, proactive lawyer with a grounding in UK/EEA financial services/private banking/wealth management regulation, with awareness of the laws and regulations for the geographies in which we operate. The successful candidate will exercise sound legal judgement to help develop proactive, risk-appropriate, and commercially practical business‑oriented solutions. As this role supports trading desks and front office personnel, timely and clear responses are critical. The role is based in Belfast and sits within the Wealth Capital Markets Legal team, which covers products and regulation including primary and secondary market equity/fixed income trading; multi‑asset OTC derivatives and structured products, and exchange‑traded derivatives. Familiarity with UK/EEA financial services/private bank/wealth management regulation and legal principles, with an awareness of Capital Markets products (particularly securities, including structured products), is expected. This is an exciting role for a versatile and proactive candidate keen to learn about new products and regulations and to develop technical knowledge of investment products sold to retail and professional clients.
What You’ll Do
The role will provide key legal support and execution on Capital Markets matters, participating in client trading activities and business projects/initiatives. There will be input/analysis on interpretation of relevant laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices, drafting documentation and advising on legal matters impacting the Capital Markets business. The focus includes primary and secondary market securities, structured products/derivative securities and more complex security trading, such as strategic equity solutions. There will be opportunities to cover the wider Capital Markets business as well as other Wealth initiatives from time to time. Familiarity with Digital Asset/Tokenised/Crypto products and related market initiatives will be advantageous.
Responsibilities include:
* Provide real-time legal support in Capital Markets (with a focus on securities, including derivative securities/structured products) to front office business and Control partners, escalating where applicable. Daily contact with Sales and Trading personnel and close relationships with them and wider stakeholders through timely and pragmatic legal advice, including on calls with the business.
* Negotiate and review trading and offering documentation, including Broker Agreements, Distribution Agreements and Termsheets. Draft bespoke side letters and other transaction-specific documentation as needed.
* Review and draft product terms, offering documentation and related disclosures. Keep up to date with key regulations (e.g., MiFID II, MAR, CSDR, PRIIPs, RIS, Consumer Duty) and implement regulatory changes as part of regulatory change initiatives.
* Assist the business to manage negotiations and dialogue with investment bank issuers/underwriters.
* Advise on cross-border marketing, sales and distribution requirements impacting Capital Markets products.
* Work with other stakeholders to develop policies, procedures and controls related to the product area.
* Collaborate across internal lines of business and control/support functions to achieve coordinated and efficient outcomes; coordinate with the Legal team on a regional and global basis.
* Prioritise workload and execute on transactions/initiatives by proactive engagement and management of legal issues, escalating novel situations with first‑cut solutions and risks.
* Maintain momentum across multiple parallel matters, meeting tight deadlines.
* Assist in evaluating Wealth Capital Markets proposals and queries by applying institutional knowledge and risk appetite against industry standards and regulatory guidelines, escalating as appropriate.
* Determine when external legal support is required and manage external counsel (including delivery timeframe and cost).
What We’ll Need From You
* Bachelor’s degree.
* 7+ years of relevant experience.
* Previous experience working as a lawyer in a major international bank, a large law firm and/or a regulatory authority will be beneficial.
* Knowledge of financial services, either gained in-house or in private practice.
* Knowledge of Capital Markets products, particularly securities. Knowledge of exchange traded derivatives and Digital Asset/Tokenised/Crypto products would be particularly beneficial.
* Experience in private practice or in-house with investment products and applicable UK/EU and US regulation (e.g., MiFID/MiFIR, CSDR, PRIIPs, MAR, CASS, AIFMD, ESG-rules, Benchmark Regulation, Consumer Duty, EMIR, Dodd-Frank and Volcker). Retail investment products experience is valuable.
* Technical ability and eagerness to develop that more deeply (including drafting skills), and analytical ability.
* Ability to analyse complex legal issues, develop solutions and provide sound legal advice to the business.
* Teamwork: ability to engage with legal and business teams on a partnership basis as well as work independently as required.
* Able to meet the time demands of a profitable and client- and market-driven business.
* Ability to assimilate complex issues and communicate concisely and clearly to all levels of the organisation. Calm and confident communicator.
* Able to identify legal risk and escalate issues appropriately.
What We Can Offer You
We work hard to have a positive financial and social impact on the communities we serve. We put our employees first and provide the best-in-class benefits they need to be well, live well and save well. Belfast-based role with hybrid working model (up to 2 days at home per week) and a competitive base salary, plus a range of benefits including:
* Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with tenure
* Discretionary annual performance-related bonus
* Private medical insurance packages
* Employee Assistance Program
* Pension Plan
* Paid Parental Leave
* Special discounts for employees, family, and friends
* Access to learning and development resources
Aside from benefits, Citi is committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone can feel comfortable being their whole self. We value talent worldwide and aim to energize, motivate and empower our employees.
How to apply If you’re ready to explore your capabilities, apply now.
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