Skip to main content

Career Development and Growth

“My career could be described as less of a ‘ladder’ and more of a ‘lattice’, with horizontal moves where I had opportunities to learn and partner.” - CJ Spates, Head of Enterprise Experience Risk

At Citizens, we're committed to the growth and development of our colleagues, personally and professionally. We’re embracing new ways to approach work and evaluate the skills we have, the skills we need, and the skills we must build or acquire to thrive as an organization. It starts with investing in our people through programs and resources, allowing them to upskill and network across the company. In 2023, almost 30% of colleagues accepted new roles, bringing their skills and perspectives to the next step in their career journey.

The ever-changing world of skills requires us to be curious and continuous learners. We believe everyone has knowledge to gain and everyone has something to teach. What if you could map your skills out to chart career possibilities for your next 2-3 roles? Imagine taking the guesswork out of finding a mentor who possess the skills you want to build for yourself? Have you ever taken time to reflect on personal values and how they intersect with your work/life aspirations?

We're committed to providing you with resources and tools to keep you relevant in the dynamic environment. It's our promise to help prepare you, and our company, for the future. 

At its core, Citizens Talent Matters™ is a tool intentionally designed for skill development. Accessible on your Day 1 as a colleague, and part of your ongoing development journey with us, you'll assess your strengths, identify gaps, find mentors, access relevant learning content to advance your development, and visualize steps to unlock future opportunities within Citizens.

Our. Talent. Matters. Your. Talent. Matters.

“Skill development is at the forefront of this innovative tool. Enabling our colleagues’ preparation for the rapidly changing nature of roles will ensure that our company remains resilient, that we are growing, innovating and are ready for the future. This tool puts all colleagues in the driver’s seat of architecting their career experiences, enabling them to showcase and share skills while finding pathways to experiences and learnings that enhance their portfolio of skills.”
- Susan La Monica, Chief Human Resources Officer

To advance your development, there are additional programs and experiences available for our colleagues that keep your career growth front-and-center throughout your journey.

Academies: Citizens’ Academies prepare colleagues for the future by building in-demand skills to adapt to our rapidly evolving world. Each academy has engaging learning experiences that provide pathways for growth and recognition.

Academies offered include: Agile, Business of Banking and Credit, Data and Analytics, Innovation, NeXT Gen Tech, and Leadership.

đź’ˇ In 2024, more than 7,100 colleagues used our Academies to build skills needed to adapt to our evolving world and propel our performance.

BRG Leadership Opportunities

Membership in any of our 7 Business Resource Groups (BRGs) lets colleagues contribute to Citizens' diverse and inclusive culture. Roles for Colleague, Customer, Community, Communications, and Operations committees are open to everyone to gain new skills and experience outside of the day-to-day.

How I Got Here

Our storytelling series depicts colleagues who explored new opportunities and took their careers to the next level in a variety of ways, inspiring others to act and reflect on their own journeys. Read more stories here.

CJ: Building a well-rounded career.

CJ, Head of Enterprise Experience Risk, has been with Citizens for 17 years and shares how to grow your career by gaining skills and experiences along the way.

Read more

Robert: Career journey from client to colleague.

Hear Robert share how he went from a loyal customer, to working at Citizens.

Read more

Maria: Developing skills through networking

Meet Maria, an Engagement Manager at Citizens, and learn how her appetite to learn new skills, gain new experiences and expand her network helped her unlock her full potential.

Read more

Citizens Learning Hub: About 82% of colleagues regularly use the Citizens Learning Hub to further develop the skills they have and invest in the skills they’ll need in the future. Self-paced learning experiences are delivered through on-demand virtual courses and content, allowing our colleagues to build necessary practices, skills, and habits. 

 đź’ˇ In 2023, about 82% of colleagues completed over 450,000 hours of development and training. 

    Career Advice & Guidance: Our Citizens Talent Acquisition team is committed to helping our own colleagues thrive through: 

    • Office Hour Sessions - These 1:1 virtual meetings are scheduled at a colleague’s convenience. Our in-house recruiters tailor guidance across topics like resume tips, ways to find new roles at Citizens, how to effectively build your personal brand, and more.

     đź’ˇ In 2023, 350 Office Hours sessions occurred, helping more than 280 colleagues.  

    • Day in the Life Series - This internal, virtual series gives colleagues a first-person perspective about open roles before they apply. Senior leaders and current colleagues share more about the responsibilities, the department, and the skills needed to succeed.
    Leadership Development: We believe that everyone should engage in meaningful growth. Monthly company-wide manager meetings, leadership trainings, and guidance on career growth for individuals and their teams is part of our culture.

    24/7 Development & Career Conversations: Two-way dialogue about learning and growth doesn’t just happen at performance review time. Colleagues have ongoing, meaningful discussions with managers, mentors, and peers. Actionable goals are mapped at the start of each year, with midyear and year-end reviews, along with regular check-ins about opportunities to support growth. Colleagues play a role in their own development by seeking 360 feedback and are encouraged to network with colleagues outside of their direct team or departments.

    Educational Assistance Program: Get financial support with 100% reimbursement of pre-approved tuition, books and expenses up to annual limits for eligible programs, covering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and certification courses. Learn more here. 

    Like what you hear? Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on the latest news and open roles.