Global Head of Cross Border Solutions Operations & Digital Payment Assets, MD

Job description

Global Head of Cross Border Solutions Operations & Digital Payment Assets, MD/C16 Locations: London, Dublin or Warsaw Job Description The Global Head of Cross Border Solutions Operations & Digital Payment Assets is a Managing Director-level leadership role within Payments Operations responsible for the strategy, performance, resilience, and transformation of Citi's global Cross Border Solutions Operations franchise. The role provides end-to-end accountability for operational delivery across Citi's cross-border payments businesses, including WorldLink and Cross Border Funds Transfer (CBFT), while also leading the development and operationalization of Digital Payment Assets capabilities supporting the future of global payments. This executive will oversee a global operating model spanning multiple regions, partners, payment networks, and regulatory jurisdictions, ensuring safe, efficient, and scalable payment processing while enabling innovation and business growth. The successful candidate will drive the modernization of cross-border payments operations through automation, advanced analytics, digitization, and emerging payment technologies. The role will partner closely with Product, Technology, Risk, Compliance, and business leadership to deliver strategic initiatives, industry change programs, and next-generation payment capabilities, including tokenized payments, blockchain-based settlement, and digital money solutions. This position requires a proven leader with deep expertise in payments operations, large-scale operational transformation, and global stakeholder management, along with the ability to navigate an evolving regulatory, technological, and competitive landscape. Responsibilities Strategic & Operational Leadership Lead Citi's global Cross Border Solutions Operations organization, ensuring operational excellence, resiliency, client service, and strong risk management outcomes. Define and execute the strategic vision for Cross Border Solutions Operations, aligning operational capabilities with business growth objectives and changing client needs. Drive modernization and transformation initiatives that improve scalability, productivity, automation, and service quality. Establish performance standards, governance frameworks, and operating metrics to support sustainable growth and operational excellence. Partner across Payments, Technology, Product, Operations, Risk, Compliance, Finance, and Legal to deliver strategic priorities and enterprise objectives. Cross Border Solutions Operations Maintain global accountability for operational delivery across WorldLink and Cross Border Funds Transfer (CBFT) product lines. Ensure efficient and effective processing of high-value cross-border transactions across a multi-region, 24/7 operating environment. Drive operational strategy for network partner management, service stability, high-risk corridor oversight, and payment processing effectiveness. Enhance straight-through processing rates, operational performance, and client outcomes through process optimization and automation. Ensure operational readiness and scalability to support business growth, evolving payment ecosystems, and client demands. Develop a effective partnership with the Transactional FX team and the FX Operations organisation to drive a seamless FX-Payments experience. Digital Assets & Emerging Payments Lead the operational strategy and framework supporting Digital Assets capabilities within Payments. Partner with Product and Technology teams to operationalize tokenized payments, blockchain-enabled settlement, digital cash, stablecoin initiatives, and other emerging payment capabilities. Ensure new digital asset solutions are supported by scalable operating models, robust controls, and effective governance frameworks. Drive operational readiness for new products, market infrastructure developments, and emerging payment rails. Monitor industry developments, market infrastructure evolution, and regulatory changes to ensure Citi remains positioned to support future payment innovations. Transformation & Strategic Programmes Lead delivery of critical industry, regulatory, and strategic initiatives impacting cross-border payments operations. Drive Cross Border Payments modernization programmes and migration to next-generation payment processing capabilities. Champion automation, digitization, process re-engineering, and data-driven operational improvements. Partner with Technology and Product teams to implement new payment platforms, enhanced tracking capabilities, workflow solutions, and straight-through processing optimization. Own and manage the global operational budget, ensuring disciplined investment decisions, productivity improvements, and efficient resource allocation. Risk, Controls & Regulatory Management Maintain a strong risk and control environment across all Cross Border Payments and Digital Assets operational activities. Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and industry standards across all jurisdictions. Partner with Risk, Compliance, Financial Crimes, Internal Audit, and Legal teams to address regulatory obligations and control requirements. Ensure timely remediation of audit findings, control issues, and regulatory actions. Appropriately assess and escalate risk in business decisions, safeguarding Citi, its clients, and its reputation. Reinforce a culture of accountability, transparency, and ethical decision-making. Leadership & Talent Development Lead large global teams through senior managers with accountability for performance, talent development, succession planning, organizational effectiveness, and workforce strategy. Foster a culture of operational excellence, innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement. Build and maintain strong executive relationships across Product, Technology, Services, Compliance, Risk, and external network partners. Lead governance forums, executive reviews, OKRs, and strategic planning discussions with senior leadership. Develop organizational capabilities needed to support the future evolution of global payments and digital assets. Qualifications 15+ years of leadership experience in Payments Operations, Transaction Banking, Treasury Services, Financial Market Infrastructure, or related financial services disciplines. Significant experience leading large-scale global operations organizations supporting mission-critical payment processing activities. Deep understanding of cross-border payments, correspondent banking, clearing systems, payment networks, and global payment rails. Strong knowledge of WorldLink, CBFT, SWIFT, and related cross-border payment ecosystems. Understanding of Digital Assets, tokenization, blockchain-enabled payments, digital money, stablecoins, and emerging settlement technologies. Demonstrated success leading large-scale transformation, payments modernization, and operational excellence initiatives. Experience delivering regulatory and industry change programmes in highly regulated environments. Strong financial management experience, including budget management, productivity initiatives, and investment prioritization. Exceptional stakeholder management, executive communication, negotiation, and influencing skills. Proven ability to operate effectively within complex global and matrixed organizations. Education Bachelor's/University degree required. Master's degree, MBA, or equivalent advanced degree preferred. Relevant payments, operations, risk, financial market infrastructure, or digital assets certifications are advantageous. ------------------------------------------------------ Job Family Group: Operations - Core ------------------------------------------------------ Job Family: Operations Project Management ------------------------------------------------------ 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. 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