Executive Director, Innovation Banking

Fifth Third Bank; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 262,000; Full time

Job summary

Fifth Third Bank is seeking an Executive Director, Innovation Banking in San Francisco to lead strategic advisory and complex financial transactions for VC-backed tech clients. You will oversee origination, deal execution, risk management and portfolio oversight, while expanding an insider network with senior executives.

The role requires 8+ years in corporate banking or related fields, MBA preferred, and licenses (SIE, Series 79/63; Series 24 preferred).

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; MBA or graduate degree preferred.
• 8–10+ years of experience in Corporate Banking, Investment Banking, Technology Finance, Capital Markets or Venture Capital.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience at the Director level.
• Advanced relationship management with technology startups and/or VC firms.
• Forward-thinking strategic client advisory, business development, corporate finance, and risk management acumen.
• Proven track record of leading a sales team to originate, structure, negotiate and execute complex financial transactions.
• Leadership experience and involvement in key decision making at a financial services firm.
• Excellent presentation skills with senior executives (oral and written).
• Licensing: SIE, Series 79 and 63; Series 24 preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of VC backed technology and emerging growth clients, focusing on origination, deal execution and risk oversight.
• Attends industry forums and meetings to expand pipeline and deepen market knowledge.
• Supports sales to Capital Markets, Investment Banking, and FX by assessing product fit for clients.
• Underwrites and approves credit requests with Portfolio Manager and Credit Administration.
• Ensures reporting, documentation and risk review for ongoing portfolio risk assessment.
• Builds relationships with Innovation Banking leadership and other stakeholders.
• Manages portfolio priorities while handling multiple high-priority engagements.
• Demonstrates strong credit and corporate finance knowledge applied to strategy.
• Represents leadership in internal and external presentations to support team efforts.
• Engages independently with stakeholders during strategic client engagements.

Skills

Advisory & Relationship Management

Origination & Sales Coverage

Team Leadership & Development

Market Insight & Thought Leadership

Risk Management

Strategic Advisory

Education

Undergraduate degree

MBA or graduate degree

Tools

Securities licenses (SIE, Series 79, 63)

Series 24 license (preferred)

Job description

Make banking a Fifth Third better®We connect great people to great opportunities. Are you ready to take the next step? Discover a career in banking at Fifth Third Bank.

Make banking a Fifth Third better®We connect great people to great opportunities. Are you ready to take the next step? Discover a career in banking at Fifth Third Bank.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities for this role are below; you may support projects of varying complexity based on skill and organizational priorities.

• Manages a portfolio of VC backed technology and emerging growth clients, with primary responsibility for transaction origination, deal execution, return generation and risk management oversight.
• Attends industry-specific forums, conferences, and/or meetings to expand sales pipeline and broaden relationship network and continually deepen knowledge of trends and practices.
• Provides sales support to the Capital Markets, Investment Banking, and FX verticals by assessing whether the respective products and services would be appropriate for a particular client.
• Works with Portfolio Manager, Analysts, and other members of Credit Administration to underwrite and approve credit requests.
• Ensures proper reporting, documentation, and risk review to determine acceptable ongoing portfolio risk.
• Develops good working relationships with peers and senior leaders in Innovation Banking and the rest of the organization.
• Manages key portfolio priorities while working on numerous high-priority client engagements simultaneously.
• Exhibits a strong background in credit and corporate finance and the ability to apply that knowledge to corporate finance-oriented strategy.
• Serves as direct support to the Managing Director and can make internal and external presentations to support team leadership efforts.
• Interacts independently with all important stakeholders during the development and delivery of a strategic, client facing engagements.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree required, MBA or graduate degree preferred.
• 8 – 10+ years of experience in Corporate Banking, Investment Banking, Technology Finance, Capital Markets or Venture Capital.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience at the Director level.
• Advanced relationship management skills working with technology startups and / or VC firms.
• Forward-thinking strategic client advisory, business development, corporate finance, and risk management acumen.
• Proven track record of success in leading a sales team to originate, structure, negotiate and execute complex financial transactions.
• Leadership experience and history of involvement in key decision making at an established financial services firm.
• Excellent presentation skills, both oral and written, along with the ability to interact effectively with senior executives inside and outside our organization.
• Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), Series 79,and 63 license required per Fifth Third guidelines.
• Series 24 license preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

Qualified candidates will bring professional proficiency, generally acquired through 8+ years of relevant work or internship experience in finance, accounting, or a related field.

• Expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Infrastructure & Applications, Enterprise Software, Cybersecurity, Data Governance, Frontier Technology, or other technology sectors is a plus.
• High attention to detail and commitment to deliver high-quality work product consistently.
• Ability to understand and evaluate complex technology financial models.
• Strong communication, collaboration, execution, and risk management skills.
• Strong leadership track record mentoring, training, retaining, and developing talent.
• Executing transactions as part of a team in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required securities licenses in accordance with company policy.

SKILLS FOR SUCCESS:

• Advisory & Relationship Management – Ability to lead strategic conversations, build trust, and deliver tailored solutions that deepen client relationships.
• Origination & Sales Coverage – Skilled in identifying opportunities, developing pitches, and converting ideas into revenue-generating engagements.
• Team Leadership & Development – Proven ability to mentor, develop, and lead high-performing teams.
• Market Insight & Thought Leadership – Ability to translate technology and venture capital market trends into executable growth strategy.

DOING THE RIGHT THING:

Our employees take pride in doing the right thing for customers and colleagues as well as being accountable for risk by openly exchanging ideas and opinions, elevating concerns, and following policies and procedures that protect all our valuable assets —including you .

Executive Director, Innovation Banking

Total Base Pay Range 121,900.00 - 262,100.00 USD Annual

At Fifth Third, we understand the importance of recognizing our employees for the role they play in improving the lives of our customers, communities and each other. Our Total Rewards include comprehensive benefits and differentiated compensation offerings to give each employee the opportunity to be their best every day.

The base salary for this position is reflective of the range of salary levels for all roles within this pay grade across the U.S. Individual salaries within this range will vary based on factors such as role, relevant skillset, relevant experience, education and geographic location. In addition to the base salary, this role is eligible to participate in an incentive compensation plan, with any such payment based upon company, line of business and/or individual performance.

Our extensive benefits programs are designed to support the individual needs of our employees and their families, encompassing physical, financial, emotional and social well-being. You can learn more about those programs on our 53.com Careers page at: https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en/careers/benefits.html or by consulting with your talent acquisition partner.

LOCATION -- San Francisco, California 94111

Attention search firms and staffing agencies: do not submit unsolicited resumes for this posting. Fifth Third does not accept resumes from any agency that does not have an active agreement with Fifth Third. Any unsolicited resumes – no matter how they are submitted – will be considered the property of Fifth Third and Fifth Third will not be responsible for any associated fee.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is proud to have an engaged and inclusive culture and to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity in all employment decisions regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, veteran status or any other legally protected status.