Citigroup is Hiring: Ops Support Specialist | Finsplitz

Introduction

Are you a meticulous and detail-oriented professional with a knack for process efficiency and client service? Citigroup, a leading global financial services company, is actively seeking talented Operations Support Specialists across its major operational hubs in India, including Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Citigroup provides a wide array of financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions, and its operations support teams are the backbone that ensures the smooth and efficient delivery of these services. As an Ops Support Specialist at Citigroup, you will play a critical role in the daily functioning of various business units, contributing to critical back-office processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering exceptional client support. This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to the intricacies of global financial operations within a highly structured and dynamic environment.

Roles and Responsibilities

An Operations Support Specialist at Citigroup is an entry-level or early-career position responsible for providing essential operational services. These roles are critical across various divisions, including Consumer Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS), and Securities Services. The specific responsibilities will vary significantly based on the product line and the operational unit.

Typical responsibilities for an Ops Support Specialist at Citigroup include:

• Record & Documentation Management:
  • Maintaining accurate records and documentation related to financial transactions, client accounts, and operational processes.
  • Ensuring proper storage, retrieval, and archiving of critical documents, often involving imaging and digital record-keeping systems.
  • Performing data entry and verification with a high degree of accuracy.
• Account Maintenance & Transaction Processing:
  • Assisting with the opening, maintenance, and closure of client accounts.
  • Processing various financial transactions (e.g., payments, transfers, settlements, reconciliations) according to established procedures and deadlines.
  • Handling queries related to credit card disputes, trade settlements, or other financial products.
• Query Resolution & Client Liaison:
  • Serving as a liaison between operations staff, relationship managers, project managers, and clients to resolve issues and inquiries.
  • Resolving customer queries and supervising escalated issues, providing efficient and effective customer service.
  • Communicating clearly and concisely, both written and verbally, to internal and external stakeholders.
• Compliance & Risk Management:
  • Ensuring all operational activities adhere to strict internal policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
  • Assessing risk when making business decisions and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients, and assets.
  • Assisting with audit readiness and compliance checks.
• Process Improvement & Automation:
  • Identifying opportunities for process enhancements and efficiency gains.
  • Assisting with ongoing Lean and process improvement projects.
  • Contributing to the implementation of automation tools (e.g., utilizing Pega or other operational platforms).
• Reporting & Communication:
  • Communicating daily with management on productivity, quality, availability, and Management Information System (MIS) indicators.
  • Providing support for financial entries, reconciliation, and resolution of incorrect entries.
• Team Support & Training:
  • Providing guidance to lower-level employees and assisting with training new hires on operational procedures and systems.
  • May serve as a subject matter expert for specific processes.

Ops Support Specialists are expected to possess strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively in a high-volume, regulated environment.

Salary and Benefits

Citigroup offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package for Ops Support Specialists in India, designed to attract and retain talent in the financial services sector. The compensation structure typically includes a base salary and performance-based incentives.

• Average Annual CTC (Cost to Company) in India:
  • Ops Support Specialist (Entry-Level / 0-2 years experience, C04/C05 level): The typical annual CTC can range from ₹3.5 lakhs to ₹6 lakhs per annum. This generally includes base salary and allowances.
  • Ops Support Specialist (2-4 years experience, C05/C06 level): The average annual CTC can range from ₹5 lakhs to ₹8.5 lakhs per annum.
  • Senior Ops Support Specialist / Analyst (4+ years experience, C07/C08 level): The average annual CTC can range from ₹8 lakhs to ₹12+ lakhs per annum, depending on the complexity of the role, expertise, and leadership responsibilities.
  • Note: These figures are indicative and can vary based on factors like educational background, specific domain within operations (e.g., more complex investment banking operations might offer slightly higher), location (Mumbai/Bengaluru might have slightly higher averages than Pune/Chennai), and individual negotiation. Citigroup aims to offer packages at a competitive level within the banking and financial services sector.
• Comprehensive Benefits and Perks: Citigroup provides a robust suite of benefits focused on employee well-being, professional growth, and financial security.
  • Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical insurance for employees and their families, life insurance, accidental insurance, and access to wellness programs.
  • Financial Benefits: Provident Fund (PF), Gratuity, and often performance-based annual bonuses. Citi may also offer discretionary and retention awards for eligible employees.
  • Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays.
  • Learning & Development: Strong emphasis on continuous learning and professional development. Access to extensive internal training programs, support for industry-recognized certifications (e.g., NISM, Lean Six Sigma), and opportunities for skill enhancement in financial products and operational processes.
  • Career Progression: Clear career paths within the operations stream, allowing progression into specialist, lead, or managerial roles within various business units. Opportunities to move across different operational areas or even into front-office support roles over time.
  • Global Exposure: Opportunity to work in a global financial institution, collaborating with teams across different regions and gaining exposure to international financial markets.
  • Work-Life Balance: Efforts are made to promote work-life balance through structured workdays and supportive policies.
  • Employee Engagement: Various employee networks and social initiatives fostering an inclusive and engaging work culture.

Eligibility Criteria

Citigroup looks for candidates with strong analytical skills, attention to detail, excellent communication, and a foundational understanding of financial operations.

• Educational Qualification:
  • Bachelor’s degree (B.Com, BBA, B.A., B.Sc. in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field). A Master’s degree (e.g., MBA, M.Com) can be an advantage for certain roles or faster progression.
  • High school diploma or equivalent is the minimum for some entry-level Ops Support Specialist positions (e.g., C04/C05), but a university degree is generally preferred.
• Experience:
  • For Entry-Level Roles (0-2 years): Fresh graduates with relevant academic projects, internships in financial services or operations, or strong analytical skills are encouraged to apply.
  • For Experienced Roles (1-3 years): Prior experience in a back-office operations role, customer service, data entry, or administrative support in a financial institution or a high-volume processing environment is highly preferred.
• Key Skills (Essential):
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Especially Excel (for data analysis, reporting), Word, and Outlook.
  • Strong Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze data, identify discrepancies, and resolve problems.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and accurate in handling transactions and data.
  • Excellent Communication Skills: Clear and concise written and verbal communication to interact with colleagues, clients, and managers.
  • Problem-Solving Capabilities: Ability to identify issues, conduct research, and apply logical reasoning to find solutions.
  • Numerical Aptitude: Basic mathematical knowledge for financial calculations and reconciliations.
  • Time Management & Organization: Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Adaptability: Ability to adapt to new processes, systems, and changing business requirements quickly.
• Key Skills (Highly Desirable/Domain-Specific):
  • Financial Services Knowledge: Basic understanding of banking products (e.g., credit cards, loans, investment products), financial markets, and industry terminology.
  • System Knowledge: Familiarity with specific operational systems used in banking (e.g., core banking systems, trade processing platforms, Pega, G36 functionality, dispute resolution systems).
  • Compliance & Regulatory Awareness: Basic awareness of financial regulations and compliance requirements (e.g., KYC, AML).
  • Lean/Six Sigma Concepts: Understanding of process improvement methodologies.

Application Process

The hiring process for Ops Support Specialist roles at Citigroup is designed to assess a candidate’s analytical abilities, attention to detail, communication skills, and suitability for a high-volume operational environment within financial services.

1. Online Application:
   • Candidates apply through Citi’s official careers portal (jobs.citi.com) or major job boards.
   • Submit a detailed Resume/CV highlighting your educational background, relevant skills (especially MS Office proficiency, analytical skills), any internships or work experience in operations or customer service, and extracurricular activities demonstrating attention to detail or teamwork.
2. Resume Screening:
   • HR and the hiring team review applications to shortlist candidates whose profiles best align with the technical and soft skill requirements of the role.
3. Online Assessments (Potential):
   • For entry-level roles, you might be required to complete online assessments, which could include:
     • Numerical and Verbal Reasoning Tests: To assess your aptitude for working with data and information.
     • Situational Judgement Tests: To evaluate your decision-making skills in typical work scenarios.
     • Basic MS Office Skills Tests: Especially Excel proficiency.
4. Initial Screening Interview (Phone/Video):
   • A brief interview with an HR recruiter to discuss your qualifications, career aspirations, and suitability for the role. This also assesses your communication skills.
5. Technical/Operations Interview Rounds (1-2 rounds, virtual or in-person):
   • Candidates who clear the initial screening are invited for interviews with operations managers or team leads.
   • Focus: Assessment of your understanding of operational processes, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail.
   • Common topics include:
     • Scenario-Based Questions: “How would you handle a discrepancy in a financial record?”, “What would you do if a client escalates an issue?”
     • Process Understanding: Questions about data entry accuracy, reconciliation, or specific financial product operations (if relevant).
     • MS Excel Skills: May include practical questions or a short task involving data manipulation in Excel.
     • Problem-Solving: Discussing how you’ve solved problems in past academic or work experiences.
     • Attention to Detail: Questions designed to assess your meticulousness.
6. Managerial/Behavioral Interview:
   • This round focuses on assessing your teamwork, communication, integrity, resilience, and cultural fit within Citigroup.
   • Questions: “Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult customer/colleague,” “How do you manage multiple tasks and deadlines?”, “Why are you interested in a career in operations at Citi?”
7. HR Round:
   • The final round discusses compensation, benefits, background checks, and formal offer.

Preparation Tips:

• Brush up on MS Office: Especially Excel formulas, data sorting, filtering, and basic functions.
• Understand Banking Basics: Familiarize yourself with common banking terminology, types of accounts, and basic financial transactions.
• Practice Problem Solving: Think logically about how you would approach and resolve operational issues or discrepancies.
• Refine Communication Skills: Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and professionally.
• Behavioral Questions: Prepare answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to demonstrate your skills and experiences.
• Research Citigroup: Understand Citi’s core businesses (Consumer Banking, ICG, TTS, Wealth), its values, and its global presence.
• Show Attention to Detail: Ensure your resume and application are error-free.

Conclusion

A career as an Ops Support Specialist at Citigroup in India offers a foundational role within the global financial services industry. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in complex financial operations, develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and contribute to the seamless functioning of a major bank. If you are organized, detail-oriented, have strong communication skills, and are eager to build a career in financial operations, Citigroup offers a structured and rewarding path to grow and make a significant impact.