Assistant General Counsel, Commercial Lending

KeyBank; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 268,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

KeyBank National Association is seeking an attorney to lead its Commercial Lending team and serve as the primary legal counsel supporting KeyBank's Small Business, Business Banking, Middle Market, SBA, and related commercial lending activities.

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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree, Juris Doctor, Active State Bar Membership are required.
• 10 years minimum relevant experience in a law firm or in-house.
• Mastery in assigned support area with focus on commercial lending lifecycle from legal/operational perspective.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Experience advising on important legal, business and regulatory issues; banking industry knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provides senior level consultation on complex matters influencing business outcomes.
• Leverages legal knowledge to design solutions driving bottom-line impact; mentors others.
• Provides proactive counsel facilitating business initiatives.
• Advise lines of business on legal issues related to changes in laws/regulations.
• Partner with outside counsel as needed.
• Lead and support governance activities and employee engagement.

Skills

10+ years legal experience

Regulatory compliance expertise

Analytical writing skills

Leadership/mentoring

Banking industry knowledge

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Active State Bar Membership

Bachelor's Degree

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

• 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

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.