Relationship Manager, Dealer Finance

KeyBank

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Dealer Relationship Manager III is responsible for developing, managing, and expanding a large portfolio of wholesale commercial credit products for automotive dealers, serving as a trusted advisor and industry expert. This role leads in business development, credit structuring, and performs risk management efforts, while collaborating with internal partners to deliver tailored financial solutions, ensure compliance, and drive long-term client growth and profitability. Candidate must reside in the New England market, in order to cover clients in Maine.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree OR equivalent experience
• 5+ years as a Relationship Manager working with commercial clients
• Automotive industry experience
• Evaluating the creditworthiness of automotive dealers and clients by analyzing financial statements, credit reports, and risk factors to support sound lending decisions.
• Demonstrating a strong focus on achieving performance targets, driving revenue growth, and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Working effectively with internal teams—including credit, operations, and sales—to deliver seamless service and achieve shared goals.
• Establishing and nurturing long-term, trust-based relationships with dealer clients and internal stakeholders.
• Overseeing a portfolio of dealer clients by monitoring performance, managing risk, and identifying opportunities for growth and retention.
• Driving revenue by identifying cross-sell opportunities, expanding product usage, and deepening client engagement.
• Identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial and operational risks within the dealer portfolio to protect the bank’s interests.
• Understanding the automotive industry, market dynamics, and client business models to deliver relevant financial solutions.
• Supporting or managing budgeting processes related to client portfolios, revenue targets, or departmental planning.
• Developing and executing long-term plans that align client needs with the bank’s growth objectives and market opportunities.
• Providing guidance on investment-related products or services, where applicable, in alignment with client goals and regulatory standards.
• All KeyBank employees are expected to demonstrate Key’s Values and abide by Key’s Code of Conduct.

Nice To Haves

• Occasional travel to include overnight stay.
• May need to drive to multiple locations in a single day; ability to operate a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, expand and manage portfolios of wholesale commercial credit products to automotive dealers.
• Serves as trusted advisor to auto dealer clients and prospects functioning as the dealer finance industry expert.
• Possesses firm understanding of industry-specific commercial lending products, including floor plan, real estate and construction financing, working capital term loans, acquisition financing, and equipment loans and leases.
• In conjunction with their manager, leads business development efforts for assigned auto dealer prospect base by developing a clear, concise understanding of their business strategy, markets and competition.
• Develops and implements strategies to retain and grow existing dealer relationships.
• Partners with all product specialists and Portfolio Managers to cross sell bank products and services consistent with the overarching relationship strategy.
• Responsible for completion of all documentation required to assess relationship profitability and document relationship contact activity.
• In conjunction with their manager, leads and participates in the credit process to insure accurate and thorough underwriting, complete financial analysis, loan structuring and risk management.
• Adheres to and manages client Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Maintains strong asset quality, through gathering and periodic review of dealer financial information, including audit reports and monthly dealer financial statements.
• Maintains strong functional/technical sales and credit expertise. Shares this knowledge with team members.
• Assesses dealership performance and maintains a dialogue with dealership management regarding the same.
• Effectively communicating with Credit and Risk Management around issues including Risk Rating modifications.
• Creation and execution of risk management strategy for all assigned pass rated relationships in conjunction with their Manager, Credit and Risk Management.
• Working with credit partners or outside legal counsel, to identify and complete all legal and bank documents needed to fully comply with loan approval.
• In conjunction with appropriate support staff ensures all obligors are in full compliance with the terms and conditions of legal and bank agreements.
• Taking appropriate action to communicate non-compliance to Manager, Credit and Risk Management staff.
• Ensuring necessary steps are taken to address noncompliance with loan obligors.
• Performs other duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities and/or activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
• Complies with all KeyBank policies and procedures, including without limitation, acting professionally at all times, conducting business ethically, avoiding conflicts of interest, and acting in the best interests of Key’s clients and Key.

Benefits

• Base salary in the range of $96,000.00 - $181,000.00 annually.
• Eligibility for incentive compensation which may include production, commission, and/or discretionary incentives.
• A list of benefits for which this position is eligible.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree