Operations > Undergraduate

Business Description

The Citi Operations & Technology group is building a foundation of the best technology, processes and people that will enable Citigroup to achieve its growth goals. Citi's Operations & Technology business provides global support in the areas of anti-money laundering operations, continuity of business, finance, payment services, employee services, procurement, project management, realty services, executive services, technology infrastructure and management, technology risk, vendor management, and related financial consolidation activities. With employees in over 100 countries, Citi Operations & Technology (CO&T) serves the businesses of Citi and provided these shared services by leveraging operational and technical efficiencies across the world. CO&T employees work together to drive, simplify and build commonalities, reduce complexity and unnecessary costs and strengthen information security.


What services do we provide to our clients?

Within Citi Operations & Technology, there are several business groups in which Associates gain Operations exposure, specifically:

1. Citi Business Services (CBS): Manages a wide array of functions including payroll, expense management, procurement, financial operations, accounts payable and travel planning.
2. Citi Realty Services (CRS): Global real estate organization that oversees more than 90 million square feet of real estate in more than 109 countries. Supports the businesses through the development and maintenance of office buildings, data centers and branches.
3. O&T Financial Control: Partners with the business to drive results, improve financial processes and strengthen the control environment.
4. Citi Program Management Office (CPMO): Maintains a core team that performs key program management functions for Citi O&T including: Governance of the Citi Program Management Council (CPMC); promoting consistency in program management offices' methods, tools, and capabilities; and program management of selected enterprise-wide initiatives.

Roles of an Associate

The purpose of the program is to develop a pipeline of diverse talent for future leadership positions in Citi’s Operations business areas. The Program intends to develop an internal source of capable employees who have the necessary skills, and attributes for leadership positions within Operations at Citi. It provides an avenue for a diverse pool of entry-level talent to have access to the opportunities, challenges and role models required for eventual successful movement into senior management levels in a global corporation.

During the program, Associates may have roles with the following types of experiences:

Project Management:

• May serve as a program team member, organizing and coordinating activities as well as performing specific project work, which may include collection, analysis and development of global, local and business-specific trend metrics; project management and execution for specific workstreams within projects; and support of executive initiative meetings through creation of presentation summaries and analysis materials.
• Drive the creation of process and technology solutions for internal productivity gains related to management and data collection processes. Perform process/timescale mapping and analysis, design processes and systems, and manage rollouts to a global, cross-functional audience.
• Assist with the coordination and management of acquisitions and divestitures into Operations starting with the due diligence of potential target companies through the announcement of the deals and integration into business processes and systems.
• Work with the Service Excellence and Process Optimization teams to create a service change communications framework encompassing training, helpdesk, website and other communications vehicles. Establish procedures to generate good service change communications and incorporate into the Service Excellence model.

Financial Management:

• Assist, support and participate in all aspects of Financial Control analysis, reporting, and consolidation. This includes but is not limited to: monthly financial close, budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Assist with corporate governance compliance and address issues for the department (SOX 404, Accounting Scoping Reviews – Balance Sheet and Income Statement, Information Security, Operations Risk Management)
• Provide support for financial analyses and ad hoc reporting to the business Chief Financial Officer, Field Business / Financial Analysts and Controllers as well as internal business units.

Risk Management:

• Work with management team to set the risk and control strategy and direction, provide oversight and guidance, apprise management of risk and control-related concerns, status and actions.
• Assisting members of the Operations Risk Management group in the performance of internal control and compliance activities.
• Assist the Fraud management program and the quarterly fraud reporting process. Assist in management of the annual SOX 404 audit.
• Provide assistance to businesses in tracking deliverables and meetings, preparing documentation, resolving issues and communicating with external auditors.

Our Programs

Our Associates gain a broad perspective of the collective functions of the Operations mission through three challenging 12-month work assignments rotated among various operations units. These rotations are designed to develop and sharpen Associates leadership skills. Formal training and mentoring is provided to accelerate the Associates skills, foster strategic thinking and to gain a firm understanding of Citi’s Operations business model.

Upon successful completion of the program...
Operations Associates will have gained the skills and experiences needed for upwardly mobile career positions in Operations at Citi. These opportunities may include positions in Corporate Realty Services (CRS), Financial Control, Procurement Services, Payment Services, Anti-Money Laundering and Operations, Employee Services, Executive Services, Project Management (CPMO) or one of our Technology Management Businesses.

I joined the Citi O&T Associate Program because of its diversity and the opportunity to develop cross-functional career skills. When I interviewed for the program, I was extremely impressed to see the wide array of cultures and backgrounds represented among the candidates. This had a significant personal impact and emphasized the importance that Citi places on diversity in the workplace. The cross-functionality of the program was also appealing, as it guaranteed the experience of working with a variety of different businesses during each rotation. This allowed me to gain exposure to multiple management styles at all levels of the organization and to understand the goals and expectations of differing lines of business. I have learned to quickly adapt to my surroundings, while rapidly integrating into new teams. (Karen, joined 2004)

I chose Citi's O&T MA program because it offered me a unique opportunity that no other leadership program offered; the ability to pursue three independent one-year rotations in three different businesses in three different locations. These rotations truly diversified my experience and helped me gain a better understanding of both my company as well as the various business areas. I feel that I am now well prepared on my way toward becoming a future manager at Citi. (Megan, joined 2005)

Like most college seniors, the idea of graduating and working full-time was a scary thought for me. I knew I was interested in pursuing a career within the realm of business, but I wasn’t quite ready to commit myself to one particular field. When I heard about the Operations and Technology Associate Program, it immediately sparked my interest. This program offers the opportunity to work for the largest financial firm in the world while gaining exposure to various facets of its business. In addition to having rotations in different departments, a great benefit of the Associate Program is the opportunity to work with higher-level managers. In the short time I’ve been a part of this program, I’ve already been able to work alongside some distinguished superiors. Finally, one of my favorite aspects of the Associate Program is the relationship that you have the ability to build, both within and outside of the program. Being a part of an associate class is a great way to network and share experiences with people who are at a similar point in their careers. The nature of this program fosters an environment with which you can turn colleagues and acquaintances into friends. (Jennifer, joined 2007)

Who we are looking for

Full Time Associates
We seek candidates who have a strong work ethic, are high energy and have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Specific skills we are looking for are:

• Ability to motivate and influence others
• Initiative, creative problem-solving and relationship-building skills
• Integrity and high professional standards
• Demonstrated analytical, and organizational abilities
• Team-oriented, flexible, with a receptiveness to change
• Strong process orientation and fiscal aptitude

We are seeking candidates from a broad spectrum of disciplines, generally within project management roles. The ideal candidate should possess:

• Minimum of a BA/BS in Management, Finance, International Business, Real Estate or Technology Management
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Demonstrated track record of leadership in school, community or work experience
• Knowledge of finance and accounting concepts
• Strong technical aptitude; proficiency in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint required, experience with MS Access, MS Project also preferred
• Multicultural perspective: international exposure (semester abroad) and/or background; opportunity to have lived and/or worked outside the U.S.
• Multilingual skills a plus

Recruitment Process

Citi O&T begins the formal Operations Associate Program recruiting process in September in the form of an on-campus presentation or Pre-Night. All students are invited to attend this event to learn about the culture, the business, and the Operations program at Citi. Subsequently, job descriptions are posted through university career centers. All students will need to apply via career services with their school as well as to the Citi website. Once all resumes have been collected and reviewed, a closed, targeted list of first-round interview candidates is compiled. First-round interviews take place in the September-October timeframe and successful interviewees subsequently go directly to Super Day. Citi on campus interviews are typically 30 minutes; Super Days typically consist of three 45-minute interviews with a committee of Operations professionals in either Tampa or New York. Offers are given as soon after Super Day as possible.

Stage 1: On-Campus Presentations: beginning in September. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend.

Stage 2: Applications: submitted via your career services AND the Citi web-site. Campus Recruitment reviews applications.

Stage 3: First-Round Interviews: take place on campus in the September/October time frame. Citi on-campus interviews are typically 30 minutes.

Stage 4: Super Day: successful first-round interviewees are invited to our Super Day. This day typically consists of three 45-minute interviews with managers from the Citi O&T businesses.

Stage 5: Offers: extended by the business as soon after the Super Day as possible; follow-up by Campus Recruitment

Where

Since this program seeks to develop future leaders for our organization, upon hire, Operations Associates typically complete their first rotations in:

• Tampa, Florida (to become familiar with the Operations & Technology business
• Second and/or third rotations may be in Tampa, New York, Dallas or other business centers.
• Unrestricted domestic mobility is required for consideration for the program.