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

KeyBank • Cleveland, OH

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience in finance, accounting, economics, and/or business (required)
• 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).
• Financial & Credit Acumen (expert level)
• Sound Judgement (expert level)
• Communication (expert level)
• Effective Transaction Management (expert level)
• Effective Risk Management including some knowledge with Loan Documentation
• Proactive Time Management (expert level)
• Collaboration & Teamwork (expert level)
• Accountability (expert level)
• Resilience & Ability to Manage Ambiguity (expert level)
• Critical Thinking & Intellectual Curiosity (expert level)
• Leadership & Influencing (expert level)
• Enterprise Mindset (expert level)

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree / MBA (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Conducting the analysis and underwriting of all 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.

Benefits

• Base salary in the range of $128,000.00 - $268,000.00 annually.
• Eligibility for incentive compensation which may include production, commission, and/or discretionary incentives.
• Access to a list of benefits for which this position is eligible.

What This Job Offers

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