Citi is looking for an experienced Business Unit Manager - Software Governance to lead the end-to-end financial management of software assets across Products and Functions Technology. In this senior role, you will own the full lifecycle of software budget governance — from forecasting and contract oversight to vendor management and executive reporting — ensuring Citi's technology investment is strategically aligned and financially optimized. This is a high-impact position that places you at the intersection of Technology leadership, Finance, and cross-functional operations at a global scale. Plays a crucial role in the financial management of a company's software assets. This role is responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of the software budget, from planning and allocation to tracking and optimization. Their primary objective is to ensure that the organization's investment in software aligns with its strategic goals and delivers maximum value.
The responsibilities can be broken down into the following key areas:
- Budget Creation: Collaborating with department heads and IT leaders to develop a comprehensive software budget that supports business objectives.
- Forecasting: Analyzing historical data and future needs to forecast software spending accurately.
- Ensure accruals are in place for all expected license charges and all tools used for budget management are in sync.
- Strategic Alignment: Ensuring that the software budget aligns with the company's overall strategic plan and technology roadmap.
- Drive cost optimization: initiatives through license rationalization, contract consolidation, and elimination of duplicate software assets.
- Expense Monitoring: Tracking all software-related expenditures, including licenses, subscriptions, maintenance, and support costs.
- Variance Analysis: Comparing actual spending against the budget (various scenarios) and investigating/ reporting any significant variances.
- Lead the implementation of structured software procurement processes, including formal approval workflows (e.g., FIT council governance).
- Maintain comprehensive inventory and usage tracking to support optimization and compliance decisions.
- License Management: Overseeing the management of software licenses to ensure compliance and avoid unnecessary costs.
- Reporting: Providing regular reports to senior management and other stakeholders on software budget performance.
- Communication: Acting as the primary point of contact for all software budget-related inquiries.
- Collaboration: Working closely with CTS, finance, IT, and other departments to ensure a coordinated approach to software budget management.
- Risk Identification: Identifying potential financial risks related to the software budget, such as overspending, non-compliance, and vendor lock-in.
- Mitigation Strategies: Developing and implementing strategies to mitigate identified risks.
- Cost Analysis: Continuously analyzing software costs to identify opportunities for savings.
- Optimization Initiatives: Leading initiatives to optimize software usage and reduce waste, such as consolidating duplicative applications or renegotiating contracts.
- Partner with senior stakeholders across Technology, Finance (FP&A), Sourcing, Legal, Compliance, and Business units.
- Lead and mentor cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and driving accountability.
Required Qualifications & Skills
- 10 or more years of experience operating in global, complex environments with accountability to multiple senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrated people management experience, with the ability to lead, develop, and hold cross-functional teams accountable for delivery outcomes.
- Deep knowledge of financial management principles, including Profit & Loss oversight, budget governance, accruals, and variance analysis.
- Experience managing vendor relationships and overseeing contract negotiation and governance processes.
- Ability to operate effectively in high-pressure environments, managing competing priorities without compromising quality or accuracy.
- Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present financial and operational information to senior leadership.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.
Beneficial Skills & Qualifications
- Previous experience in a financial services organization, particularly within a technology or operations function.
- Familiarity with software asset management frameworks, procurement governance workflows, or technology financial planning processes.
- Master's degree or postgraduate qualification in Finance, Business, Technology Management, or a related discipline.
What We Offer
At Citi, you will take on meaningful ownership in a role that shapes how a global financial institution manages and optimizes its technology investments. You will collaborate with senior leaders across Technology, Finance, and Business, with the visibility, autonomy, and resources to drive real financial impact at scale.
- A hybrid working model with 3 days in the office and 2 days working remotely, giving you flexibility alongside meaningful in-person collaboration.
- Senior-level influence over strategic financial decisions, with direct access to Technology and Finance leadership across global teams.
- A performance-driven environment where your contributions to cost optimization and governance directly support Citi's technology strategy.
- Access to continuous learning and professional development opportunities to support your long-term career growth.
- Competitive compensation and financial wellbeing benefits aligned to the seniority and global scope of the role.
- Wellbeing and work-life balance support, including programs designed to help you perform at your best both professionally and personally.
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Job Family Group:
Business Strategy, Management & Administration
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Job Family:
Business Execution & Administration
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Time Type:
Full time
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Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:
$145,100.00 - $217,700.00
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Most Relevant Skills
Please see the requirements listed above.
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Other Relevant Skills
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.
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Automated Processing and AI
We use automated processing, including artificial intelligence, for our legitimate business interests (or our reasonable and appropriate business purposes) to identify and align the candidate's skills and abilities with a specific job opening. Additionally, if you so choose, or consent, we can match your skills and abilities to other suitable roles at Citi.
Importantly, all our hiring processes and decisions, including determining your suitability for a role, are conducted, checked, and decided by individuals. Our automated processing and AI do not involve relying on automatic or autonomous decision-making. Please refer to any Jurisdictional Considerations, with specific provisions for your country (where relevant) for further details.
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This job opening is for an existing job vacancy.
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