Job Description

The Risk Head for Investor Services Digital Assets will be a strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive risk management framework tailored to our digital asset products and operations. This role requires deep expertise in traditional financial risk management principles combined with a profound understanding of blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and the evolving regulatory landscape of digital assets. The Risk Head will act as a primary advisor to senior management, ensuring all digital asset activities align with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and the company's risk appetite.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Framework Development

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the digital assets risk management program, balancing innovation with commercial viability within the risk framework.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously enhance the Digital Assets Risk Management Framework, including policies, standards, procedures, and controls, ensuring alignment with current regulatory expectations.
• Serve as the primary First Line of Defense contact and risk oversight lead for all digital asset initiatives within Investor Services.
• Evaluate and challenge digital asset use cases, models, and emerging technologies from a risk and compliance perspective.

Regulatory Compliance & Oversight

• Act as the primary subject matter expert on regulations such as the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), OFAC, FinCEN guidelines, and other relevant financial regulations pertaining to digital assets.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a robust and effective risk and compliance program tailored to the unique risks of digital assets.
• Oversee transaction monitoring systems and processes to detect and report suspicious activities (SARs) in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Ensure the robust implementation and ongoing effectiveness of Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) processes.
• Stay abreast of emerging regulatory trends, enforcement actions, and industry best practices in the crypto compliance space.
• Serve as the primary liaison for regulatory examinations, internal audits, and external assessments related to compliance, coordinating responses and remediation efforts.

Risk Assessment & Management

• Conduct regular risk assessments specific to digital asset activities, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
• Design and implement market risk management strategies and policies to identify, measure, and manage market-related risks, including the unique volatility, liquidity, regulatory, and smart contract risks of digital/on-chain assets.
• Integrate digital risks into broader Services risk management frameworks, understanding inter-relationships with second line of defense risk functions.
• Ensure appropriate digital controls, including patches for vulnerabilities in critical assets, and align with IT compliance frameworks such as NIST, COSO, COBIT, and ISO 27001.
• Identify risk levels and associated controls using quantitative and qualitative techniques.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication

• Partner with key stakeholders (Product, Operations, Technology, Data, Legal, Compliance, Audit,) to align digital asset risk management with enterprise objectives.
• Report on digital asset risk posture to senior leadership across the business and firm.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to senior management and various departments on compliance matters.
• Foster a strong risk culture, promoting accountability and effective risk management at all levels.

Team Leadership

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing risk and compliance team, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
• Oversee all people management functions for the team.

Qualifications
Experience

• Minimum of 10-15+ years of progressive experience in risk management, audit, model governance, or AI/Digital Asset development within a large financial institution, regulatory body, or related field.
• Demonstrable experience (3-5+ years) in the digital asset and blockchain industry, with a deep understanding of tokens, staking, digital funds, crypto custody, DeFi, NFTs, stablecoins, and tokenized assets.
• Proven expertise in designing and managing BSA/AML programs within regulated financial institutions.
• Experience working with regulators (e.g., NYDFS, OCC, SEC, MAS) including new product non-objection submissions and responding to regulatory inquiries.
• Track record of influencing change and delivering results in a dynamic, multinational organization.
• Experience in developing and implementing compliance policies, procedures, and internal monitoring controls.

Skills & Knowledge

• Deep understanding of blockchain technologies, regulatory expectations and enterprise risk principles.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving abilities with a keen eye for detail.
• Familiarity with IT compliance frameworks such as NIST, COSO, COBIT, and ISO 27001.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex regulatory concepts to diverse audiences, including executives and shareholders.
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment, comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Proficiency in data analysis techniques and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau) is a plus.
• SQL and Python programming experience are a plus.
• Strong project management skills.

Job Family Group: Risk Management
Job Family: Risk Functional Management
Time Type: Full time
Most Relevant Skills Analytical Thinking, Credible Challenge, Escalation Management, Governance, Policy and Procedure, Policy and Regulation, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Controls and Monitors, Risk Identification and Assessment, Stakeholder Management.
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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Skills Required