Remote Risk Governance Leader - Credit & Lending

KeyBank; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

KeyBank is seeking a Governance Manager - Credit & Lending to join the commercial risk team. This role leads governance activities across the Middle Market and Financial Sponsor relationships, translating risk data into clear narratives and guiding cross-functional initiatives.

You will partner with risk, control, and business functions to support regulatory readiness, portfolio oversight, and executive reporting, while maintaining strong communication and project management in a highly

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; industry experience preferred.
• Experience in risk management, first line of risk, governance, or risk oversight.
• Credit or lending knowledge within a Commercial or Banking environment.
• Experience working in a highly regulated industry, preferably Banking or Financial Services.
• Project management experience, including managing multiple workstreams and stakeholders.
• Experience supporting or interacting with regulatory exams, internal audits, or control reviews.
• Demonstrated ability to present to senior leadership and executives.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; experience with Salesforce and Tableau preferred.
• Proven track record of creating, implementing, and sustaining governance or oversight processes.
• Strong ability to analyze data, synthesize insights, and develop clear, concise narratives.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively, build networks, and influence across functions.

Responsibilities

• Support governance activities tied to the Commercial lending portfolio, including oversight of delinquency trends, forecasting, and emerging credit risk themes.
• Participate in risk profile assessments, contributing analysis and business commentary for internal risk forums, leadership updates, and governance reporting.
• Review and assess risk acceptance requests related to Middle Market and other Commercial lending activities, ensuring alignment with risk appetite, policy requirements, and governance expectations.
• Manage the Middle Market Financial Sponsor review process, including:Developing and maintaining review documentation; Facilitating sponsor review forums and governance discussions; Preparing summary materials and outcomes for leadership.
• Design and implement an annual Financial Sponsor portfolio review process, leveraging internal data and partnering with stakeholders to:Build dashboards and reporting;Identify risk themes, concentrations, and trends;Deliver clear, executive ready insights.
• Assist in the preparation and management of monthly and periodic business reviews for the Commercial loan portfolio.
• Synthesize large volumes of information into clear narratives, key takeaways, and actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
• Serve as a firstline liaison for regulatory exams, internal audits, and independent risk reviews related to credit and lending activities.
• Coordinate collection of documentation, responses, and evidence from business partners.
• Track and support remediation of findings, issues, and action plans related to governance or portfolio oversight.
• Partner effectively with business leaders, second line risk management, compliance, operations, and finance to enhance governance processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve oversight frameworks, reporting, and governance efficiency.
• Maintain strong awareness of regulatory expectations, internal policies, and industry trends impacting Commercial credit and lending activities.

Skills

Risk management

Governance experience

Communication skills

Project management

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Salesforce

Tableau

Job description

KeyBank is seeking a Governance Manager - Credit & Lending to join the commercial risk team. This role leads governance activities across the Middle Market and Financial Sponsor relationships, translating risk data into clear narratives and guiding cross-functional initiatives.

You will partner with risk, control, and business functions to support regulatory readiness, portfolio oversight, and executive reporting, while maintaining strong communication and project management in a highly