Expert

Head of Corporate Shared Services Technology, MD (C16)

London, United Kingdom · On-site

Citi is a world-leading global bank. We provide consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. We enable clients to achieve their strategic financial objectives by providing them with cutting-edge ideas, best-in-class products and solutions, and unparalleled access to capital and liquidity.

Overview of the organization:

The Chief Operating Office (COO) Technology organization is responsible for defining and executing technology strategy, roadmap, and GenAI adoption across Core Operations, Corporate Shared Services, Controls, and enterprise GenAI initiatives. The COO Technology capability sits within CIO organization reporting into the CIO and COO of the firm. The organization ensures strategic alignment of solutions across a diverse portfolio of cross business and functional capabilities such as KYC, Fraud, Cash Management, Reconciliations, and Regulatory Reporting. It also drives the modernization of enterprise applications and process reengineering through shared services, comprehensive data architecture, automation, and adoption of Generative AI solutions.

Corporate Shared Services is a newly established capability within COO organization, reporting directly to the COO of the firm. It is responsible for all non-client-facing operations, including - Cash Services (Payroll & Supplier Strategy, Cash Management, Bank Network Management, Payment Controls & Processing Risk and Client Asset Oversight), as well as Balance sheet substantiation and Reconciliation, Non-Financial

Regulatory Reporting and International Operations.

Job Purpose:

The Head of Corporate Shared Services Technology will be a key leader in the COO technology organization and across the broader CIO organization. They will be responsible for designing, developing and execution for the overall architecture vision and strategy for cross-business operations functions including – cash management, payments control services, global reconciliations, non-finance reg. reporting, and payroll. We are seeking a visionary leader to standardize, simplify, and scale a current fragmented application landscape to deliver business value and drive efficiencies. This role requires deep experience in designing, executing, and managing complex systems on a scale, a passion for architectural simplification, and a demonstrable commitment for building sustainable, future-ready platforms. Driving enterprise adoption of GenAI solutions including large language models and agentic flows is a critical component for executing the vision. The successful candidate will partner with SMEs across business, Operations, Finance, and Technology functions and transformation leads to develop architecture blueprints, end-to-end systems design, operating model, and multi-year GenAI execution roadmap. The role reports directly into the Head of Technology COO.

Role Summary

The Head of Corporate Shared Services Technology is a senior leadership role accountable for owning and driving the technology book of work supporting all the functions under Corporate Shared Services. This individual will serve as the primary technology counterpart to the Head of Corporate Shared Services, providing dedicated, executive-level engagement to ensure the seamless integration of technology strategy with business priorities.

This leader will act as a strategic technology advisor across architecture and risk, bringing an enterprise mindset to simplify, modernize, and strengthen the Controls technology landscape. The role is responsible for translating COO business strategy into a clear, executable multi-year technology roadmap and ensuring disciplined delivery with measurable business outcomes. The position combines portfolio leadership, delivery execution, and senior stakeholder engagement, with accountability for governance, funding, value realization, and regulatory alignment across a complex, high-impact portfolio.

Responsibilities

Portfolio Strategy & Planning

Own and maintain the multi-year technology roadmap aligned to Corporate Shared Services strategic priorities, enterprise architecture, finance targets, and risk mandates.
Lead annual planning and quarterly reprioritization cycles, including intake, scoping, sizing, dependency mapping, sequencing, and funding alignment.
Translate business outcomes into prioritized technology initiatives with clear ROI and measurable impact.
Ensure a strong linkage between strategy, execution, and value realization.

End-to-End Delivery Leadership

Lead cross-functional delivery spanning engineering, product, architecture, cyber, risk & compliance, data, and operations.
Drive execution discipline across the SDLC and adjacent governance processes (requirements, design reviews, testing, release, and change management).
Ensure production readiness, operational stability, and high-quality delivery outcomes.
Proactively manage dependencies, critical paths, and risks to ensure on-time and on-budget execution.

COO Technology Partnership & Governance

Serve as the primary technology point of contact and dedicated executive-level partner for the Head of Corporate Shared Services and Head of COO Technology.
Develop and deliver executive-level communications, including steering committee materials and portfolio updates to improve decision-making speed and reduce execution risk.
Lead governance forums including Steering Committees, Portfolio Review Boards, and Architecture Review Boards.
Ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment across all stakeholders.
Drive the adoption of shared services across the enterprise in partner with other CIO leads.

Architecture, Risk & Controls Advisory

Act as a strategic advisor on architecture and risk, bringing an enterprise-wide perspective to Corporate Shared Services technology.
Drive simplification and consolidation of the Corporate Shared Services technology ecosystem.
Partner closely with Controls, Risk, and Compliance stakeholders to ensure robust, scalable, and compliant solutions.
Embed strong risk and control frameworks into all phases of technology delivery.

Innovation, Automation & Efficiency

Identify and deliver AI-driven and automation opportunities across Corporate Shared Services, including generative AI, predictive analytics, workflow intelligence, and RPA.
Lead efficiency and productivity programs targeting improvements in cycle time, quality, throughput, and cost-to-serve.

Organizational & Financial Leadership

Lead and develop a high-performing global organization (including teams of circa 100+ professionals) through multiple layers of management.
Establish optimal team structures, roles, and operating models aligned to business and technology priorities.
Drive a culture of accountability, inclusion, innovation, and continuous learning.
Manage the technology portfolio budget (circa $100mm), ensuring effective funding allocation and cost discipline, and drive financial transparency across all initiatives.
Optimize vendor strategy, including strategic sourcing, partnerships, and outsourcing.

Qualifications

15+ years of relevant experience in technology, with a proven track record of leading large-scale application development organizations.
10+ years of managerial experience, including managing senior leaders and large, global teams.
Proven track record in delivering enterprise utilities, shared services in financial services.
Hands on expertise in financial services and operations preferred. Experience with liquidity, cash management, reconciliations, reporting strongly preferred.
Significant experience in a senior technology leadership role, acting as a strategic partner to senior business executives.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong peer and business relationships.
Advanced knowledge of industry practices, standards, rules, and regulations within the financial services sector.
Expertise in software development processes and practices (SDLC), with a strong focus on execution discipline.
Demonstrated knowledge of architecture, complex systems, and key technology areas within funds administration.
Proven track record and mature understanding of adoption of GenAI solutions beyond PoCs, and pilots.
Strong working knowledge of risk, controls, and compliance frameworks.
Strong communication skills and ability to decompose complex requirements into simple concepts to bring people along the journey on a shared vision.

Education

Bachelor's degree/University degree or equivalent experience is required.
Master's degree is preferred

Job Family Group: Technology

Job Family: Applications Development

Time Type:

Most Relevant Skills Please see the requirements listed above.

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

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.