Director, Commercial Sales Performance Management

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

Job summary

KeyBank's Commercial Card and Merchant Risk team seeks a seasoned Manager to assess risk implications of product changes across Commercial Card, AP automation, and merchant services. You will influence policy, build cross-functional relationships, and drive controls within the bank's risk appetite.

The role requires strong communication, strategic judgment, and the ability to lead in a matrixed organization. Hybrid work in the Northeast with on-site presence three days weekly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years in commercial banking, performance management, analytics, finance, strategy, or related discipline.
• Experience leading a team and influencing executives and cross-functional partners in a matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Product across Merchant Services and Card Issuing/AP Automation to assess the inherent risk of product changes and develop controls.
• Collaborate with line of business partners to address regulatory or environmental changes.
• Partner with 2nd line risk management to maintain bank-wide risk requirements.

Skills

Risk management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Analytical skills

Project management

Automation & AI

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Location:

127 Public Square, Cleveland Ohio

Location:

Cleveland, OH or Buffalo NY; Cleveland OH, preferred.

• Hybrid Requirement (if within specific cities): Selected candidate resides in Key Bank footprint are expected to work on-site 3 days per week at the nearest KeyBank office (non-branch location).
• Remote Option: If the selected candidate lives outside of KeyBank's geographic footprint, the position will be considered fully remote.
• Open to those residing in the United States.
• Working within East coast hours required

JOB BRIEF (PURPOSE)

The Product Risk team within Commercial Bank is responsible for the governance and tactile execution of owning and managing risk, optimizing risk and return, and enabling sound growth with speed for the business. As part of this team, the Manager - Commercial Card and Merchant Risk has responsibility for assessing risk implications of new initiatives and enhancements to existing products, continuous improvement of the risk and control environment and maintaining oversight and reporting as required across Key's Commercial Card, AP automation, and Merchant Services products. This also includes understanding regulatory impacts, industry perspective, and Key's own risk policies. The role requires an individual who demonstrates the ability to influence others, build meaningful relationships across the organization, act with a sense of urgency, and has solid communication skills.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Partner with Product across Merchant Services and Card Issuing/AP Automation to assess the inherent risk of product changes, both for new development and enhancements to existing products and services and to develop an appropriate control environment to manage the business within Key's risk appetite
• Collaborate with line of business partners to identify opportunities or areas requiring enhancements to Key's risk and control environment to proactively address regulatory or environmental changes
• Partner with 2nd line of defense risk management to maintain risk requirements in bank-wide policies and procedures
• Partner with 1st line Product Management and Business development to assess the risk impacts of new initiatives and appropriate controls and procedures to mitigate
• Develop awareness and understanding of risk framework throughout Commercial Bank
• Establish reporting leveraging internal data, benchmarks, and industry/regulatory guidance
• Maintain and understanding of regulations, regulatory guidance and network rules impacting supported products, including changes and trends in regulatory policies
• Create presentations and present as required
• Provide assistance and support to internal partners around risk related issues
• Use a continuous improvement mindset to improve risk identification, mitigation, and process efficacy

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's degree or higher or equivalent experience

Work Experience

Director

• 10+ years in commercial banking, performance management, analytics, finance, strategy, or related discipline

• Experience leading segment-level planning, forecasting, performance reporting, and executive business reviews in a complex financial services organization
• Experience leading a team and influencing executives and cross-functional partners in a matrixed environment

Sr Manager

• 7+ years in commercial banking, performance management, analytics, finance, strategy, or related discipline

• Experience leading segment-level planning, forecasting, performance reporting, and executive business reviews in a complex financial services organization
• Experience leading a team and influencing executives and cross-functional partners in a matrixed environment

Skills

• Deep understanding of commercial banking economics and trends, including revenue, balance sheet, risk-adjusted returns, productivity, and client profitability
• Strong strategic judgment and intellectual curiosity, with a record of challenging constructively
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively build trusting relationships with the Commercial Bank Leadership Teams, peer executives, team members, and stakeholders
• Leads through challenges with considerable endurance, diplomacy, and positive attitude
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and project management skills
• Strong ability to interpret and frame complex information and results, identify performance drivers, and convert insights into actionable recommendations for senior leadership
• Experience implementing automation and AI to streamline workflows and strengthen insights and controls
• Hands-on doer, conveys and executes with urgency, and drives open items to closure

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: 11/30/2026

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].