Assistant General Counsel, Commercial Lending

KeyBank National Association; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

KeyBank National Association seeks an attorney to lead its Commercial Lending team in a hybrid role based in Cleveland, OH. The Assistant General Counsel provides legal guidance across Small Business, Business Banking, Middle Market, SBA, and related lending activities.

The position partners with lending, credit, operations, compliance, risk management, and outside counsel to ensure compliant, risk-adjusted transactions.

Qualifications

• JD from an ABA-accredited law school and active bar membership
• 10 years minimum experience in a law firm or in-house corporate law
• Deep knowledge of commercial lending lifecycle and regulatory environment
• Ability to manage and supervise junior attorneys and paralegals
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a financial institution
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills

Responsibilities

• Provide senior level consultation on complex commercial lending matters
• Design legal solutions to drive business outcomes
• Advise on changes in laws and regulations
• Actively partner with outside counsel when needed
• Lead and coach junior attorneys
• Support governance and risk management activities
• Collaborate with business leadership and internal stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with KeyBank policies and procedures

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Juris Doctor

Active State Bar Membership

Job description

Location:

127 Public Square, Cleveland Ohio

Job Summary

KeyBank National Association is seeking an attorney to lead its Commercial Lending team. The Assistant General Counsel, Commercial Lending serves as primary legal counsel supporting KeyBank's Small Business, Business Banking, Middle Market, SBA, and related commercial lending businesses. The role provides legal advice, risk management guidance, documentation support, regulatory interpretation, policy development, and strategic counsel across the full lifecycle of commercial lending products and operations. The position works closely with lending, credit, operations, compliance, risk management, closing teams, servicing teams, technology teams, and outside counsel to help ensure that commercial lending activities are consistent with KeyBank's risk appetite.Candidates should demonstrate strong experience in working in legal environments and have depth of expertise in applicable laws and regulations. The candidate should have management experience as this position will lead another attorney, also supporting Commercial Lending. The preferred location for this position is Cleveland, Ohio, or Buffalo, New York.

Essential Job Functions

The key responsibilities for the Assistant General Counsel, Commercial Lending include:

• Provides senior level consultation on complex matters that influence business outcomes
• Leverages deep knowledge of the law and business to design solutions that drive bottom-line impact; develops problem solving skills in others
• Provides proactive counsel and advice that facilitates line of business/corporate initiatives
• Makes recommendations to lines of business including senior management and direct manager on how to respond to legal issues on proposed changes in laws and regulations
• Actively partners with outside counsel when needed
• Is a recognized subject matter expert at Key on legal areas within the scope of coverage
• Supports governance activities through management committee involvement
• Coaches and develops consultation skills in other attorneys
• Actively leads and supports employee engagement actions
• 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.

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree, Juris Doctor, Active State Bar Membership
• 10 years minimum relevant experience in a law firm or in-house
• Mastery in assigned support area, with a specific focus on understanding the full commercial lending lifecycle from both a legal and operational perspective
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Experience providing proactive, solution-oriented advice on important legal, business and regulatory issues
• In-depth understanding of the banking industry and regulatory environment
• If relevant, ability to manage, train and supervise junior attorneys and paralegals
• Mature understanding of law firm billing and pricing practices to enable oversight of outside counsel
• Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships within a large organization, including at the most senior levels
• Willingness to learn new areas of the law, acquire new skills, and take on additional and/or new responsibilities as needed
• Experience providing proactive, solution-oriented advice on important legal, business and regulatory issues
• Ability to work in fast paced environment and assist team with managing demands based on understanding of organizational priorities

Why Key

• Exposure to sophisticated corporate and commercial market transactions within a diversified and growing national financial institution

• Opportunity to collaborate closely with business leadership and internal stakeholders

• Supportive team environment emphasizing professional development and work-life balance

• Long-term career growth within Key’s Legal organization

Core Competencies

• All KeyBank employees are expected to demonstrate Key’s Values and abide by Key’s Code of Conduct.

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.

Work Location Category

• Hybrid (3+ days)

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.

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: 10/10/2026

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 [e-mail].