Director, Leverage Finance Credit Risk (Hybrid)

Full-time - Senior

NY

About the position

Citigroup provides financings on a global basis to non-investment grade corporate clients for Leveraged Lending. Citigroup’s Banking Capital Markets & Advisory (BCMA) group acts as lead arranger for many of these issuers. Citi’s Leveraged Finance Group in the Capital Markets Origination (CMO) group is focused on serving clients in the financing of acquisitions, mergers, buyouts, recapitalizations and spinoffs. Citi works with private equity clients that have substantial assets under management, an established investment history, as well as public corporates with significant capital markets wallet. Key products include revolving credit facilities, term loans, bridge facilities, bonds, ABLs and ERBLs. Transactions also include funding of operations, capital expenditure financing and refinancing. For selected clients, the credit product set is augmented with foreign exchange, derivatives and cash management. The Leveraged Finance Credit Risk Director works closely with the Leveraged Finance Credit Risk Manager and the team, Leveraged Finance Underwriting Group (LFU), CMO, Investment Banking and Corporate Banking to make approval decisions for underwritings and holds on leveraged lending transactions, refinancings and amendments. This role is expected to provide leadership on risk and diligence issues, industry trends, capital structure, exposure management, syndication strategy, terms and returns. A critical objective is to provide management and guidance such that this high-risk business remains within appropriate risk tolerances. Under the expanded regulatory leveraged lending definition, this function serves to coordinate various firm-wide processes for other Non-Investment Grade clients. The lead demonstrates responsible behavior by both tone and actions in daily management while effectively reviewing and challenging the first line of defense.

Responsibilities

• Manage screening/reviews and approvals for non-investment grade holds and underwritings.
• Evaluate complex deal structures across industries in the context of prevailing capital market conditions.
• Make recommendations on transactions above specified amounts to senior management regarding credit approvals and declines.
• Monitor the leveraged loan and high yield portfolio with focus on timely syndication of underwritten positions, performance and classification of hold book and hedging of outsized or underperforming assets.
• For the hold book, manage and monitor a portfolio of leveraged finance names.
• Responsibilities include quarterly and annual reviews, risk rating accuracy, ongoing determination of emerging risks and decisioning or recommending of incremental exposure requests (such as derivatives, cash management, and international lines).
• Participate in discussions with senior management on strategic and exposure management decisions.
• Work globally with partners in BCMA and LFU, which are part of Institutional Credit Management (In-Business Risk).
• Support the Leveraged Finance Credit Risk Manager on requests from Senior management, Credit Review/Audit and regulators.
• Assess financings with respect to earning threshold returns on capital.
• Exercise leadership to address due diligence, capital structure and syndication issues.
• Protect the firm against franchise and reputation risk.
• Oversee underwriting limit compliance and develop solutions to mitigate potential excesses.
• Coordinate with LFU on portfolio management and reporting.
• Co-manage criticized assets with Special Assets colleagues including valuation analysis, amendment approvals and monthly credit reviews.
• Participate in regulatory interactions.

Requirements

• Current Senior Credit Officer (or external equivalent) approval authority with at least 10 years of experience in credit and structuring.
• Experience in a complex, matrixed organization focused on credit approval, governance, controls, risk management at a top-tier institution.
• Multiple, successful risk management roles over time spanning a range of products, industries and geographies.
• Strong knowledge of corporate finance concepts.
• Leveraged finance experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in business, finance or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Capable of prioritizing and multi-tasking in a dynamic, fast paced environment.

Benefits

• medical, dental & vision coverage
• 401(k)
• life, accident, and disability insurance
• wellness programs
• paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays