Location:
127 Public Square, Cleveland Ohio
Job Summary
The Senior Vice President, Portfolio Management – Functional Lead (SVP PM – Functional Lead) is a senior‑level individual contributor within the Banking Group Portfolio Management (BGPM) team. This role is responsible for leading Commercial and Industrial (C&I) underwriting for complex, high‑value corporate credit transactions, with a primary focus on the upper end of the middle market, while serving as a senior technical expert and on‑the‑job coach to Portfolio Managers (PMs) across experience levels.
This role will specifically support a regional Commercial Portfolio Management team focused on the West Region. As such, the SVP PM – Functional Lead is expected to bring a strong understanding of regional dynamics, client needs, and market practices relevant to West Region commercial clients. The role requires flexibility and availability to work effectively across U.S. time zones in order to support deal teams, Credit discussions, and business partners aligned to the West Coast.
The SVP PM – Functional Lead maintains a deliberately smaller than typical client portfolio to enable meaningful time commitment to pre‑screening new opportunities, directing and prioritizing workflow, reviewing underwriting quality, coaching PMs in real time, and attending Credit decisioning meetings in support of less‑experienced PMs. While this role does not have direct reports, it operates as an extension of portfolio management leadership—providing hands‑on expertise, mentorship, and risk leadership through influence rather than formal authority.
The SVP PM – Functional Lead partners closely with Portfolio Management leadership, Credit Risk partners, and sales teams to deliver Key’s balance sheet to clients while upholding a strong risk culture and effectively managing risk‑reward tradeoffs. This role is expected to carry themselves with credibility and judgment in senior forums, influence vertically and horizontally, promote best practices, and positively impact underwriting quality, decisioning outcomes, and portfolio health across the platform.
Responsibilities
- Lead and execute underwriting for complex, multi‑faceted corporate credit transactions, including left‑lead and administrative agent roles, in alignment with Key’s credit culture and risk appetite.
- Pre‑screen new opportunities and provide early‑stage credit perspective to Portfolio Management leadership and business partners.
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate deal structures to deal team members and Credit Risk Management, balancing client objectives with sound risk‑return considerations.
- Attend and actively participate in Credit decisioning meetings to support less‑experienced PMs, providing real‑time guidance, context, and senior‑level credit perspective.
- Maintain ownership of a focused portfolio of complex client relationships, monitoring financial performance, covenant compliance, liquidity, earnings trends, and emerging credit risks.
- Proactively identify potential problem credits and partner with Credit Risk Management and Asset Recovery, as appropriate, to protect the bank’s position.
- Ensure assigned assets are appropriately risk rated at all times, with timely rating changes and accurate system reporting.
- Review underwriting materials prepared by PMs and provide actionable feedback to elevate analytical rigor, clarity, and consistent risk identification.
- Coach PMs through complex deal execution, documentation negotiations, and approval processes without formal people‑management responsibility.
- Support Portfolio Management leadership with deal triage, workflow prioritization, and informal development of PM talent.
- Promote underwriting best practices, leveraged cash flow (LCF) determination standards, and consistent adherence to Credit Policy.
- Lead analysis and negotiation of credit agreements, guarantees, pledges, and collateral documentation for complex transactions.
- Guide PMs in working effectively with outside counsel to ensure documentation accurately reflects approved terms and mitigates risk.
- Demonstrate an enterprise mindset by partnering with sales leaders, Credit Risk, and other stakeholders to support Key’s relationship banking model.
- Influence outcomes across teams through credibility, expertise, and judgment rather than formal authority.
- Assist in process improvement initiatives, onboarding of new PMs, and knowledge sharing across BGPM.
- Coordinate or assist with ad hoc data requests as required by senior management or risk partners.
- Perform other duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and/or activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- Comply with all KeyBank policies and procedures, including acting professionally, conducting business ethically, avoiding conflicts of interest, and acting in the best interests of Key and its clients.
Education Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business, or e