Senior Vice President, Team Lead, Asset‑Based Lending Underwriter

Location:

127 Public Square, Cleveland Ohio

Job Profile Summary

Responsible for leading and governing a team of underwriters, with direct people management accountability, while also performing hands-on underwriting activities as business needs require. The role supports the Business Development Officer (BDO) in conducting and producing analyses of prospect businesses and creates approval packages that include financial modeling and structuring alternatives with recommendations to the KBBC management team and for use in seeking credit approval.

This role is expected to build a “trusted advisor” relationship based on knowledgeable advice and insights aligned with the client’s or prospect’s business or industry. The incumbent oversees the prescreen and underwriting process, the skill development of team members, assists as needed throughout transactions, and reviews all final underwriting packages.

As part of the first line of defense, underwriters are expected to consistently demonstrate a solutions-oriented, growth mindset that supports line-of-business goals while maintaining a moderate risk appetite and upholding asset quality.

This job reports up through Banking Group Portfolio Management (BGPM). BGPM is responsible for underwriting new loan opportunities and managing a portfolio of loans in the following industry and business segments: Energy, Leveraged Finance, Healthcare, Asset Based Lending, Diversified, Middle Market (including Agribusiness), Business Banking, Private Banking, Small Business and SBA.

Job Description

Governance Responsibilities

• Conducting the analysis and underwriting of all new client transactions; proposing recommended structures and accumulating all data necessary to perform focused analysis.
• Participating in site visits and actively engaging in discussions with appropriate client representatives (CFO and/or senior management) throughout the underwriting process.
• Assisting in coordinating and reviewing third-party collateral and field exam reports.
• Ensuring an efficient and effective transfer of knowledge from the BDO to the Portfolio Manager.
• Reviewing financial statements and all other relevant financial and non-financial data to develop a concise, focused analytical foundation for credit decisions.
• Providing value-added feedback through risk/mitigant analysis.
• Focusing on liquidity and cash flow outlook as a foundation for projected credit performance.
• Proactively engaging with deal teams to recommend solutions, generate ideas, and address arising or anticipated challenges.
• Following market activity and trends, including those inside and outside of asset-based lending markets, and delivering actionable advice to deal structurers and BDOs.
• Identifying and discussing material industry risks and methods used by clients to successfully compete.
• Demonstrated understanding of balancing business development and asset quality.
• Encouraging personal development within the underwriting team.
• Fostering and maintaining an engaged team.
• Interacting with KBBC senior management, lines of business, and credit partners to support ongoing focus initiatives.
• Demonstrating an enterprise mindset by partnering with sales leaders and business partners to support the bank’s relationship model while adhering to Key’s risk culture and managing risk/reward tradeoffs.
• Managing employee performance and development, including completing manager evaluations, providing coaching and career development recommendations, participating in talent and performance calibrations, and assessing both “what” and “how” factors of performance.
• Ensuring employee training and compliance requirements are completed in a timely manner.
• Taking a lead role in developing the talent bench, including active participation in talent acquisition and recruiting efforts.
• Coordinating and/or assisting with ad hoc data requests from senior management or risk partners.
• Developing and maintaining a strong internal network to facilitate collaboration, escalate issues appropriately, resolve problems efficiently, and leverage internal expertise to support BGPM.
• Performing other duties as assigned; responsibilities may change or be added at any time with or without notice.
• Complying with all KeyBank policies and procedures, including acting professionally, conducting business ethically, avoiding conflicts of interest, and acting in the best interests of Key’s clients and Key.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience in finance, accounting, economics, and/or business (required)
• Master’s Degree / MBA (preferred)

Experience Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of commercial underwriting, credit banking, or financial services experience, with preference for 5 or more years of asset-based lending underwriting experience or equivalent role.
• Competency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn and effectively utilize additional technology applications (required).
• Broad experience across financial analysis and modeling scenarios, including secured and unsecured corporate cash flow lending (required).
• Extensive experience leveraging research, due diligence, and prior deal knowledge to challenge assumptions, assess creditworthiness, and recommend deal structures (required).
• Proven ability to efficiently identify, execute, and coordinate comprehensive lending solutions and advise others on underwriting processes and best practices (required).
• Demonstrated success building client relationships, managing conflict, and influencing outcomes to drive effective business results (required).
• Demonstrated enterprise mindset, with extensive understanding of banking and investment banking products, market dynamics, trends, and Key’s relationship banking model (required).
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to collaboratively influence and appropriately challenge (required).
• Ability to lead others and deal teams, plan effectively, manage multiple priorities, work independently, and coach others to do the same (required).

Tactical Skills

• Financial & Credit Acumen (expert level) ◦ Demonstrates an understanding of foundational accounting principles and can interpret and analyze financial statements (balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements) to assess a company's financial health and ability to meet its obligations. ◦ Able to effectively utilize various tools and techniques, including financial ratios, to evaluate a borrower's financial strength and assess risk.
• Sound Judgement (expert level) ◦ Able to carefully evaluate the impact of all emerging and/or existing considerations and choose the best path forward using informed, rational, and effective decision-making techniques in various lending and business situations.
• Communication (expert level) ◦ Able to clearly, concisely, and persuasively convey information, whether verbal, written, or nonverbal. ◦ Able to effectively synthesize large amounts of complex information into a more consumable summary. ◦ Consistently demonstrates a focus on keeping clients, partners, and teammates informed as to the real-time status of important matters.
• Effective Transaction Management (expert level) ◦ Able to effectively shepherd a transaction through all required stages, while staying organized, meeting deadlines, managing risk, and ensuring a favorable experience for the client.
• Effective Risk Management including some knowledge with Loan Documentation ◦ Able to effectively identify, assess, and control potential risks involved with corporate lending. ◦ Properly grading loans to reflect their risk level and ensuring accurate risk ratings.
• Proactive Time Management (expert level) ◦ Demonstrated ability to take initiative, set clear objectives, and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines, maximize productivity, and minimize stress. ◦ Able to successfully identify which tasks are urgent (requiring immediate attention) and which are important (contributing to long-term goals). ◦ Able to effectively multitask and balance competing priorities.
• Collaboration & Teamwork (expert level) ◦ Effectively working with others to reach a shared goal. ◦ Consistently displaying a willingness to shoulder a fair share of the workload in addition to helping others meet their objectives.
• Accountability (expert level) ◦ Consistently taking ownership of one's actions, decisions, and performance, and being responsible for achieving the agreed-upon outcomes. ◦ Being reliable, dependable, and fulfilling commitments. ◦ Able to be relied upon as honest and truthful.
• Resilience & Ability to Manage Ambiguity (expert level) ◦ Able to withstand or recover quickly from stressful or difficult conditions. ◦ Able to move forward with less than perfect, or incomplete, information and ability to flexibly and comfortably adapt to changing work demands.
• Critical Thinking & Intellectual Curiosity (expert level) ◦ Able to identify, evaluate, and interpret information, and question assumptions to reach well-supported, evidence-based conclusions. ◦ Open-minded and eager to seize opportunities to learn, grow, acquire knowledge, and expand skill set.
• Leadership & Influencing (expert level) ◦ Demonstrates the ability to influence and inspire, motivate, empower, and guide others towards a common goal. ◦ Consistently displays the highest standards, values, and behaviors, inspiring others to follow, and setting a model for excellence.
• Enterprise Mindset (expert level) ◦ Demonstrates an ability to understand and prioritize the broader goals and well-being of the entire organization over the interests of individual departments or teams. ◦ Understands the interconnectedness of different parts of the Bank; makes decisions that benefit the whole. ◦ Displays "big picture" thinking, considering the broader implications of decisions and actions.

Core Competencies

All KeyBank employees are expected to demonstrate Key’s Values and sustain proficiency in identified Leadership Competencies.

Physical Demands

General Office - Prolonged sitting, ability to communicate face to face in person or on the phone with teammates and clients, frequent use of PC/laptop, occasional lifting/pushing/pulling of backpacks, computer bags up to 10 lbs.

Travel

Travel to include overnight stay.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $128,000.00 - $268,000.00 annually. Placement within the pay range may differ based upon various factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and geographic location. Compensation for this role also includes eligibility for incentive compensation which may include production, commission, and/or discretionary incentives.

Please click here for a list of benefits for which this position is eligible.

Key has implemented an approach to employee workspaces which prioritizes in-office presence, while providing flexible options in circumstances where roles can be performed effectively in a mobile environment.

Job Posting Expiration Date: 05/26/2026 KeyCorp is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to sustaining an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to apply on this site may request reasonable accommodations by emailing HR_Compliance@keybank.com.

 

 

#LI-Hybrid