Commercial Leader

KeyBank • For Those Who Work At Home, CA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Middle Market Commercial Leader (MMCL) manages a team of Middle Market Relationship Managers and sales support staff to acquire new clients and expand the share of wallet among existing business clients with annual sales of $100 million to $2 billion. The role leads and coaches the sales team to build trusted-advisor relationships through knowledgeable advice aligned with clients’ business objectives and lifecycle, while driving profitable revenue growth and maintaining credit quality. MMCLs are assigned the MMCL I designation unless they manage another MMCL or the role’s scope exceeds $25 million in annual revenue and $1 billion in loans and deposits. The successful candidate must be located in Orange County or San Diego and will lead a team covering Orange County, the Inland Empire, and San Diego.

The leader directs sales strategy and execution, including prospecting, client development, relationship growth, product and competitive knowledge, and collaboration with the Corporate Bank and KPB. The role also oversees credit underwriting, structuring, portfolio management, and asset-quality performance in partnership with Credit Officers. In addition, the MMCL hires, develops, evaluates, and retains talent; sets performance expectations; and partners with Human Resources on talent management and a pay-for-performance culture.

The position is eligible for a base salary of $128,000 to $268,000 annually, with potential incentive compensation that may include production, commission, and/or discretionary incentives. Key’s employee-workspace approach prioritizes in-office presence while providing flexible options where work can be performed effectively in a mobile environment. The job posting expires December 4, 2026.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 10 years of experience in finance, banking, or a related field.
• Understanding of Corporate Finance and Capital Markets.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, inspect, coach, and champion a sales team to success.
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Excellent credit skills and demonstrated ability to manage portfolio credit needs effectively.
• In-depth knowledge of financial products and banking regulations.
• At least five years of demonstrated sales and business-development experience with proven results.
• Excellent sales, interpersonal, communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills.
• Proven leadership ability, including setting and communicating goals, holding people accountable, and developing others.
• Ability to collaborate vertically and horizontally across stakeholders and lines of business to build and maintain strong relationships.
• Ability to execute with discipline and consistency.
• Must be located in Orange County or San Diego.

Nice To Haves

• MBA, CPA, or CFP.
• Leadership experience managing commercial lenders.
• Experience as an agent bank in a syndicated credit structure.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach Middle Market Relationship Managers and sales support staff to acquire new clients and grow existing client relationships.
• Set and communicate team sales strategy, and coach the team in disciplined prospecting, client development, retention, and growth.
• Maintain knowledge of the bank’s products and services and proactively learn about competitive offerings.
• Build working relationships with the Corporate Bank and lead the team in using the bank’s collaboration model.
• Advise Relationship Managers on individual business-development efforts and participate in joint client calls to strengthen selling skills and identify opportunities.
• Coach team members to develop a holistic understanding of clients’ and prospects’ businesses and industries and to serve as financial strategists.
• Act as a rainmaker and trusted advisor for current and prospective high-value relationships, leading by example through preparation and understanding clients’ strategies, motivations, industries, and competition.
• Collaborate with KPB to jointly develop Middle Market KPB clients.
• Manage credit underwriting, structuring, and portfolio-management processes to support sound asset quality.
• Partner with Credit Officers on policies and procedures that support sound and profitable credit decisions.
• Coach team members in credit knowledge and manage asset-quality measures, timely identification of deteriorating credits, and accurate portfolio risk ratings.
• Create a positive work environment, set high standards, and support staff career growth and job satisfaction.
• Set and track team-member performance objectives, evaluate performance, differentiate performance, and hold bankers accountable for their goals.
• Partner with Human Resources on recruiting, employee skill development, career progression, goal setting, performance management, employee engagement, and pay-for-performance practices.
• Develop and execute a proactive talent pipeline strategy, assess and develop talent across markets, and source external talent.

Benefits

• The position is eligible for incentive compensation, which may include production, commission, and/or discretionary incentives.
• The posting refers applicants to a benefits list for the benefits for which the position is eligible, but does not specify individual benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager