Are you looking for a career move that will put you at the heart of a global financial institution?

Citi is seeking a highly experienced and driven Director to lead our global Payments Platform Modernisation strategy, with a specific focus on ACH (Automated Clearing House) and RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement) systems.

This critical role is centered on the modernisation of our core payment platforms. You will drive a significant multi-year execution of the ACH & RTGS program. Your mission will be to ensure the new platforms are strategically aligned with business goals, executed efficiently, and adhere to the highest program standards.

As the leader of this initiative, you will be responsible for defining and enforcing program methodologies, managing a comprehensive roadmap, and overseeing the implementation of a complex set of deliverables. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the payments industry, particularly ACH and RTGS, coupled with a proven track record of successful execution of large-scale platform modernisation initiatives.

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:

The successful candidate will be part of the management team overseeing the overall payments modernisation book of work and will report into the global head of Citi Payments Express & payments platform modernisation.

The successful candidate will collaborate extensively across a wide range of stakeholders across product, sales, technology, compliance, risk and operations partners to transform our payments landscape.

What you’ll do:

Strategic Program Leadership & Governance:

• Define, establish, and mature the design, development and implementation framework specifically for the ACH and RTGS platform modernisation, ensuring alignment with the broader Services business strategy and enterprise standards.
• Lead the development and strategic oversight of the Core Platform Modernisation roadmap, integrating business objectives with next-generation technical capabilities for ACH and RTGS processing.
• Work closely with Product Design and Execution Leads globally to facilitate strategic planning sessions, defining the scope, objectives, and key results for the platform modernisation program, informed by market analysis and customer needs.
• Collaborate with Payments Design Leads and cross-functional teams to determine optimal program execution approaches for platform modernisation, ensuring consistent application of methodologies and best practices.
• Own the 3-5-year product portfolio roadmap from a governance perspective, focusing on the modernisation of ACH and RTGS platforms, leveraging company-wide assets, and driving resource allocation decisions through established program forums.

Program & Project Execution Oversight:

• Oversee the translation of strategic platform modernisation goals into actionable program increments, project plans, and clear, measurable deliverables for the new ACH and RTGS platforms.
• Partner closely with engineering and project teams throughout the development lifecycle—from requirements definition to implementation and validation—ensuring adherence to established program delivery standards and quality assurance processes for the new platforms.
• Conduct continuous gap analysis between current and future state platform offerings, identifying areas for improvement, innovation, and potential program adjustments.
• Proactively identify, escalate, and resolve cross-project dependencies and roadblocks related to the platform modernisation through effective program management techniques and communication channels.

Stakeholder Management & Resource Stewardship:

• Provide strong program leadership and mentorship across diverse project teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and high performance within the modernisation ecosystem.
• Manage all aspects of project team performance, including resource planning, onboarding, performance evaluations, and development.
• Establish and manage the overall program budget, resource allocation, and financial oversight for the platform modernisation, ensuring fiscal discipline, value realization, and adherence to investment guidelines.
• Develop and implement comprehensive stakeholder engagement and communication strategies, ensuring transparent reporting to senior leadership, effective alignment across all program constituents, and robust change management.
• Effectively influence and align stakeholders across different functions and departments to achieve program objectives.

Risk Management & Compliance Governance:

• Establish and enforce program-level risk management frameworks and compliance protocols for the platform modernisation, ensuring adherence to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations related to payments and data privacy.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate program risks associated with the large-scale migration to new ACH and RTGS platforms, safeguarding Citigroup, its clients, and assets through structured risk management processes.
• Promote a strong culture of compliance, ethical conduct, and operational excellence within the entire program.
• Own the end-to-end governance process for the ACH & RTGS modernisation program

What we’ll need from you:

• Significant progressive experience in product management/development, with significant experience in establishing and leading large-scale, complex technology platform modernisation programs and portfolios.
• Proven track record of success in the payments industry, with a deep understanding of ACH and RTGS systems (e.g., Fedwire, CHIPS, TCH-RTP), ISO 20022 messaging standards, the competitive landscape, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated expertise in establishing and operating program governance frameworks for multi-year, multi-project platform modernisation initiatives.
• Experience working in a heavily regulated environment with a strong focus on privacy, security, and compliance.
• Experience with AI and ML technologies and their integration into program strategies is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage diverse teams through organisational and cultural change inherent in large-scale programs.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation and manage complex stakeholder environments.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; master’s degree is preferred.

What we can offer you:

The role is a significant leadership role in transforming our payments business and will have significant senior management exposure. Additionally, you will be leading a large, multi-year investment book to drive modernisation of our core payments business

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 London, 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. 

------------------------------------------------------

Job Family Group:

Product Management and Development

------------------------------------------------------

Job Family:

Product Development

------------------------------------------------------

Time Type:

Full time

------------------------------------------------------

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.