Job Description

Key products include revolving credit facilities, term loans, bridge facilities, bonds, asset-based loans, and energy reserve-based loans. Transactions also include funding of operations, capital expenditure financings, and refinancing. For selected clients, the credit product set is augmented with foreign exchange, derivatives and cash management.

The Finance Portfolio Manager works closely with Leveraged Portfolio Group (LPG), Investment Banking and Corporate Banking to make approval decisions for underwritings and holds on leveraged lending transactions, refinancing, 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 High Grade and other Non-Investment Grade clients. The lead demonstrates responsible behavior by both tone and actions in daily management. The position reports directly to the Global Head of Leveraged Finance and Structured Credit.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as Senior approver for the Leveraged Finance Core transactions in EMEA
• 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 to make decisions on large under wiring and hold risk.
• Manage the leveraged loan and high yield portfolio with focus on timely syndication of underwritten positions, performance of hold book and hedging of outsized/underperforming assets.
• Lead discussions with senior management on strategic and exposure management decisions.
• Make recommendations, on transactions above specified amounts, to senior management regarding credit approvals and declines
• Assess financings with respect to earning threshold returns on capital
• Handle requests for ancillary facilities such as derivatives, cash management, and international lines
• 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
• Manage regulatory interactions, communicate regulatory updates to internal constituencies
• Provide updates to management committees
• Provide support for stress tests, and other internal processes
• Develop skills of junior staff across the organization though training and transactions

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Unquestioned ethics and excellent credit judgment on non-investment grade credits
• Understanding of heightened regulatory expectations of an institution such as Citi
• Solid knowledge of high yield syndication markets
• Appropriate risk appetite with respect to size of individual underwritings, overall book of deals, leverage levels, and hold positions
• Commitment to independent views and to be transparent in decision-making
• Decisive leadership for developing solutions for client requests
• Discipline in making appropriate risk-reward decisions
• Robust collaboration across the firm with a wide range of bankers
• Ability to manage varied teams that are formed on a deal-by-deal basis
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills
• Outstanding conflict management skills
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Well-developed time management skills for a high volume of transactions, often with short timetables
• Ability to handle escalated discussions
• Constructive approach to regulatory interactions and adherence to regulatory guidance
• High sense of equanimity relative to competing pressures
• Significant experience in a complex, matrixed organization focused on credit approval, governance, controls, and 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
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in business, finance or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills; must be articulate and provide direction with judgment and authority to enable effective validation with senior stakeholders.