Sr. Leader Payments BD - Technology & Consumer/Retail Verticals

KeyCorp; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 128,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

KeyCorp is seeking a Tech & Consumer Payments Leader to oversee end-to-end payments strategy, go-to-market, and commercialization for Technology and Consumer & Retail verticals. The role drives vertical P&L, new business, and partnerships, while collaborating with Coverage, Product, Risk, Operations, and Technology to deliver measurable growth and strong governance.

The leader will refine the vertical strategy, define plays by sub-segment, and ensure executable plans with clear ownership and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated senior leadership in payments commercialization, treasury/payments product strategy, and/or card & merchant/omni-channel payments in the Fintech or Banking arenas.
• Strong vertical acumen in Technology and/or Consumer/Retail (or proven ability to build it quickly).
• Track record driving growth through a consultative sales motion, disciplined execution, and cross-functional influence.

Responsibilities

• Refine and scale vertical payments strategy for Technology and Consumer/ Retail.
• Own go-to-market and commercial discipline including pipeline hygiene, pricing, and deal strategy.
• Drive cross-sell and integrated solutions across treasury, cards, merchant services, and payments rails.
• Identify and manage strategic partnerships with tech platforms, fintechs, or ecosystem partners.

Skills

Payments strategy

Cross-functional leadership

Enterprise sales

Payments portfolio

Relationship management

Job description

Location: 1675 Broadway, Denver Colorado Reporting to the Group Head of Institutional Payments (Commercial Bank), the Tech & Consumer Payments Leader is accountable for end-to-end payments strategy, go-to-market, and commercialization for two priority verticals: Technology and Consumer & Retail. This leader owns the vertical Payments P&L and annual new business production, builds and modernizes the growth plan, and drives execution across client acquisition, retention, solutioning, partnership strategy, and delivery - working tightly with Investment Banking Coverage / Relationship Management, Payments Advisors, Client Managers, Product, Risk, Operations, and Technology. What great looks like Clear, client-centric vertical strategy that translates into measurable growth in deposits, treasury adoption, merchant / card / money movement revenue, and retention. Credible "field + product" leadership: develops repeatable plays, enables Payments Advisors (direct reports), and stays close to priority deals and partnerships and fist-line day to day servicing via Client Managers (direct reports). Operational excellence and follow-through: crisp accountability, clean handoffs, and predictable momentum. Executive-level collaboration and risk posture: pushes growth while keeping underwriting, compliance, and operational controls tight.

Key priorities & responsibilities

1. Refine and scale vertical payments strategy (Tech + Consumer / Retail) Refine and scale the multi-year vertical payments strategy and annual operating plan for Technology and Consumer & Retail Payments. Translate vertical context into a practical, differentiated point of view: what problems we solve, why we win, and where we focus. Define a clear set of "plays" by sub-segment (e.g., platform/vertical SaaS, marketplace, fintech, retail chains, franchise systems, omni-channel, etc.) and ensure Payment Advisors can execute them.
2. Own go-to-market + commercial discipline (pipeline, pricing, deal execution) Lead a consultative, solutions-oriented sales motion - focused on client outcomes, not product push. Actively manage the disciplines of the sales management process, including pipeline hygiene, calling activity, opportunity strategy, pricing strategy, solution development, and goal attainment. Partner with Banking Segment Leaders, Relationship Managers, and Product Specialists to structure and execute complex Payments opportunities, renewals, expansions, and competitive takeaways. Oversee contract negotiations, addenda, and renewals - leveraging internal legal and compliance partners and ensuring we don’t "leave risk behind" at the finish line.
3. Drive differentiated vertical solutioning across payments capabilities Ensure strong cross-sell and integrated solutioning across a broad existing payments portfolio, including (as applicable): treasury and cash management, receivables, disbursements, merchant services, cards, BIN/ICA Sponsorship and emerging payment rails. Bring vertical-specific insight into product strategy and roadmap influence - especially where Tech and Consumer/Retail needs converge (e.g., API-first capabilities, omni-channel experiences, reconciliation/reporting, fraud/risk tooling, and operational scale).
4. Partnerships + ecosystem strategy Identify, evaluate, and advance strategic partnerships with technology platforms, fintechs, and ecosystem partners that extend Key's capabilities and distribution. Build the vertical partner pipeline (sourcing -> diligence -> deal structure -> onboarding -> ongoing performance management). Ensure partnerships are "production-real" with measurable outcomes, not just announcements.
5. Governance, accountability, and risk management Establish a crisp operating cadence with clear owners, milestones, and escalation paths. Carefully manage client and prospect risk in alignment with Key's standards and the enterprise risk strategy. Build decision-ready narratives for complex opportunities, including risks, mitigants, economics, and operational readiness.
6. Cross-functional leadership and communication Align priorities across Commercial Bank strategy, Institutional Bank Coverage (KeyBanc Capital Markets), Institutional Payments, Product, Operations, Risk, and KeyBank Technology. Communicate consistently and directly to maintain momentum - reducing "documentation theater" and ensuring the right work gets done. Create a culture where issues are surfaced early, decisions are made with clarity and at the right levels of the organization, and teams execute with speed.

Leadership Expectations

This role is expected to model the leadership behaviors that drive strong outcomes in the Technology & Consumer verticals: Answer the real question: show command of segmentation, coverage, penetration, and performance metrics—not just in-year production stories. Operate with clean accountability: set direction then translate it into an execution plan with owners and deadlines, and close the loop towards long-term sustained process. Be a force multiplier for the broader team: when other groups are overloaded, proactively lean in to unblock progress across linear siloes rather than defaulting to a someone else's job posture. Stay present in the moments that matter: actively lead key negotiations & presentations (e.g., network/partner agreements, strategic contracts) and ensure no late-stage drop-off. Build trust through directness and transparency: communicate clearly, avoid passive escalation, and reduce over-indexing on email trails and dead-ends.

People leadership

Attract, develop, and retain a high-performing, inclusive team. Build bench strength and succession, including developing leaders who can own plays and relationships end-to-end. Coach team members into solution-oriented consultants with strong client and business acumen. Reinforce accountability for prospecting, onboarding, profitability management, and risk tolerance.

Metrics

• Vertical payments revenue: core treasury, cards & payments (merchant, automation), money at rest solutions (virtual account management, investment & cash management products) Deposit growth tied to vertical wins
• Pipeline quality + conversion, win rate, and time-to-close
• Retention / renewals / expansions
• Partnership performance (volume, revenue, client adoption)
• Operational health (onboarding cycle times, issue rates, client experience signals)

Location

Flexible within Key footprint (United States); travel expected based on client and partner needs.

Who this role partners with most

Group Head of Institutional Payments (direct manager) Vertical coverage leaders (Tech, Consumer & Retail) Relationship Management and Payments Advisors Enterprise Payments Product & Innovation Risk, Compliance, Operations, and KeyBank Technology

Candidate profile

Demonstrated senior leadership in payments commercialization, treasury/payments product strategy, and/or card & merchant/omni-channel payments in the Fintech or Banking arenas. Strong vertical acumen in Technology and/or Consumer/Retail (or proven ability to build it quickly). Track record driving growth through a consultative sales motion, disciplined execution, and cross-functional influence. Comfortable in executive settings; can create clarity, drive decisions, and lead through complexity.

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. Please click here for a list of benefits for which this position is eligible. 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

10/23/2026

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].

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