Counsel, Commercial Payments

Counsel, Commercial Payments

Citizens is seeking a highly motivated, results‑oriented attorney to join our Legal team in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment supporting the Commercial Treasury and Payments Solutions business. This role will initially focus on providing legal support for commercial payments products, with opportunities to expand into broader cash management products, services, and strategic initiatives over time.

This position is designed for an attorney who is eager to grow into a trusted, go‑to legal advisor for Commercial Payments products and initiatives, partnering closely with senior attorneys, business leaders, and cross‑functional stakeholders across the enterprise.

Primary responsibilities include

• Draft and negotiate contracts for the Commercial Bank’s payments products, including ACH, wires, real‑time payments, embedded payments, and other third‑party payment arrangements
• Advise on payments‑related laws, regulations, and network rules, including UCC Articles 3, 4, and 4A, and NACHA Operating Rules
• Partner closely with senior attorneys, product owners, Risk, and Compliance partners on new initiatives, complex problem‑solving, and escalated customer issues
• Monitor changes in the legal and regulatory landscape and research, analyze, and provide sound legal advice related to existing and evolving financial products and services
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business, Risk, Compliance, and other functional partners on strategic initiatives, contract interpretation and negotiation, internal audits, regulatory examinations, and dispute resolution
• Provide legal support to commercial operations teams by delivering timely, practical guidance on day‑to‑day matters
• Coordinate with, manage, and oversee outside counsel, as appropriate

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong critical thinking, legal analysis, and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to thoughtfully challenge the status quo while delivering practical, business‑focused legal solutions
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts for diverse audiences
• Sound judgment and the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
• Comfort operating in a fast‑paced, evolving environment while managing a broad range of legal matters
• Highly collaborative team player with a positive attitude, growth mindset, resilience, and strong interpersonal skills

Qualifications, Education, Certifications and/or Other Professional Credentials

• 1–3 years of relevant law firm or in‑house legal experience
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Active admission to at least one U.S. state bar

Hours & Work Schedule

• Hours per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $135,000 – $150,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including, but not limited to, work location and relevant skills and experience.

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs, and more. Note, Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory paid sick or paid time‑away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit: https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Employer

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Background Check

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check, which may include initial credit, motor vehicle record, public record, prior employment verification, and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.