Lead Closing Officer - Commercial Real Estate and Syndications

Location: 4910 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn Ohio This role can be filled as either a Lead Closing Officer or Senior Closing Officer. Lead Closing Officer Job Description: Job Summary The Lead Closing Officer provides advance closing expertise and execution support for a national team of Real Estate Loan Closing Officers responsible for closing complex commercial real estate loans for the Institutional Capital Group (ICG), including the Institutional Real Estate (IRE) and Healthcare (HC) lines of business within KeyBank Real Estate Capital (KBREC). This role serves as a subject‑matter expert and escalation point, supporting high‑complexity transactions and ensuring consistent, high‑quality execution across the closing lifecycle. The Lead Closing Officer partners closely with ICG business partners, clients, attorneys, title and insurance providers, financial institutions, and internal stakeholders to ensure all pre‑closing due diligence requirements are satisfied and that loan documentation accurately reflects approved credit terms. Responsibilities include overseeing and supporting the review of third‑party reports and insurance policies, preparation of funding notices for syndicated lending partners, production of client closing statements, and assistance with negotiation of loan documents. In addition to direct transaction support, the Lead Closing Officer may provide guidance and assistance with issue resolution for Closing Officers, ensuring workflows are executed accurately, timely, and in compliance with internal policies, federal regulations, and bank standards, escalating exceptions as appropriate. The role also oversees post‑closing requirements and subsequent loan modifications, ensuring seamless handoffs, data integrity, and effective risk management. The Lead Closing Officer also contributes to process improvement efforts that enhance efficiency, consistency, and control across the closing and servicing lifecycle. Essential Functions Manage end‑to‑end pre‑ and post‑closing activities for complex loan structures, including Healthcare, Institutional Real Estate, and other commercial loan types. Provide subject‑matter expertise throughout the closing process, including review of credit approvals, term sheets, closing checklists, and all items required to close. Proactively drive the closing process by coordinating timelines, monitoring progress of conditions, and ensuring all pre‑closing and post‑closing requirements are satisfied prior to funding and after close. Accumulate, analyze, and review loan documentation for conformity with credit approval, term sheets, internal policy, and regulatory requirements; assist in negotiating client‑requested changes with counsel and line-of-business partners. Engage and coordinate external parties including legal counsel, title agents, insurance agents, construction consultants, syndication banks, and other third‑party vendors necessary to complete transactions. Review and analyze third‑party reports and collateral documentation, including insurance certificates, flood zone determinations, title, survey and zoning documentation, appraisals, environmental and property condition reports, ensuring compliance with governmental regulations and bank standards. Coordinate funding, booking, and settlement of transactions, including preparation of funding notices, closing statements, fee collection, wire callbacks, approvals, and delivery of required booking documentation. Manage documentation exceptions using enterprise systems such as LoanIQ, and other production and compliance platforms. Maintain system knowledge and data integrity, ensuring accurate deal status updates, timely document uploads, and complete digital closing files. Identify, resolve, and escalate risks, exceptions, and issues impacting client service, compliance, or operational execution; clearly communicate issues and resolutions to management and line‑of‑business partners. Ensure adherence to all compliance and fiduciary requirements, including internal policies, governmental and bank regulations, OFAC, Patriot Act, Beneficial Ownership, and documentation, legal, flood, and insurance standards. Provide authorization to close and partner closely with Servicing Officers, line-of-business partners, and internal teams to ensure coordinated, timely closing, funding, booking, and handoff to servicing. Support post‑closing activities and subsequent loan modifications, ensuring accuracy, timely completion, and continued risk management. Serve as a resource and mentor to team members, providing onsite training, guidance, quality verification. Participate in and occasionally lead projects and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy, risk controls, and client experience, including in‑person collaboration and sessions. Participate in client meetings, pipeline discussions, and syndication bank meetings, delivering high‑quality, personalized service to internal and external clients. Complete all required training within established timeframes and maintain ongoing professional and regulatory readiness. 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. Education Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience Paralegal training, law degree and/or LPO license (preferred) Work Experience 3+ years of related experience, preferably in banking or financial services (required) Experience with closing process and commercial real estate loan financing including committed loan structures, REITs, title/liens, insurance, commercial loan documents, contracts, leases, AIA documents, project budgets and other legal documentation and compliance with governmental legal requirements (Familiarity of Healthcare products a plus). Experience with multi-bank loan participations/syndications and secondary market standards Skills Understanding of commercial lending concepts Proficiency in commercial loan documentation and closing Familiarity with commercial loan accounting systems, including LIQ Strong solution-oriented and problem-solving skills Excellent decision-making skills and judgment Ability to work independently without direct on-site supervision, understanding when to ask for assistance Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication Effective planning and organizational abilities; high attention to detail Ability to manage multiple tasks in a high-volume environment Strong aptitude for analysis, systems and mathematics Deliver distinctive personalized service to external and internal clients Experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote Core Competencies 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 (2+ days) Senior Closing Officer Job Description: Job Summary The Senior Closing Officer supports a national team of Real Estate Loan Closing Officers responsible for closing the most complex and high-risk commercial real estate loans for the Institutional Capital Group (ICG), including the Institutional Real Estate (IRE) and Healthcare (HC) lines of business within KeyBank Real Estate Capital (KBREC). This role provides senior-level subject‑matter expertise throughout the entire loan lifecycle, from approval through closing and into post‑closing servicing activities. The Senior Closing Officer partners closely with ICG business partners, clients, attorneys, title and insurance providers, financial institutions, and internal stakeholders to ensure all pre‑closing due diligence requirements are satisfied and that loan documentation accurately reflects approved credit terms. Responsibilities include reviewing third‑party reports and insurance certificates, preparing funding notices for syndicated lending partners, producing client closing statements, and supporting negotiation of loan documents. In addition, the Senior Closing Officer provides guidance, oversight, and issue resolution support to Closing Officers and Lead Closing Officers, ensuring workflows are executed accurately, timely, and in compliance with internal policies, federal regulations, and bank standards. The role manages assigned post‑closing requirements and subsequent loan modifications, ensuring accurate servicing execution, data integrity, and effective handoffs from closing to servicing. The Senior Closing Officer plays a key role in risk management and compliance by ensuring adherence to established KBREC policies, regulatory requirements, and bank standards. The role leads and influences continuous improvement initiatives by identifying and supporting enhancements to processes, tools, and controls that improve efficiency, reduce operational risk, and support a consistent, high‑quality client experience across the lending lifecycle. Essential Functions Manage end‑to‑end pre‑ and post‑closing activities for complex loan structures, including Healthcare, Institutional Real Estate, and other commercial loan types. Provide senior subject‑matter expertise throughout the closing process, including review of credit approvals, term sheets, closing checklists, and all items required to close. Proactively and effectively drive the closing process by coordinating timelines, monitoring progress of conditions, and ensuring all pre‑closing and post‑closing requirements are satisfied prior to funding and after close. Accumulate, analyze, and review loan documentation for conformity with credit approval, term sheets, internal policy, and regulatory requirements; assist in negotiating client‑requested changes with counsel and line-of-business partners. Engage and coordinate external parties including legal counsel, title agents, insurance agents, construction consultants, syndication banks, and other third‑party vendors necessary to complete transactions. Review and analyze third‑party reports and collateral documentation, including insurance certificates, flood zone determinations, title, survey and zoning documentation, appraisals, environmental and property condition reports, ensuring compliance with governmental regulations and bank standards. Coordinate funding, booking, and settlement of transactions, including preparation of funding notices, closing statements, fee collection, wire callbacks, approvals, and delivery of required booking documentation. Manage documentation exceptions using enterprise systems such as LoanIQ and other production and compliance platforms. Maintain expert‑level system knowledge and data integrity, ensuring accurate deal status updates, timely document uploads, and complete digital closing files. Identify, resolve, and escalate risks, exceptions, and issues impacting client service, compliance, or operational execution; clearly communicate issues and resolutions to management and line‑of‑business partners. Ensure adherence to all compliance and fiduciary requirements, including internal policies, governmental and bank regulations, OFAC, Patriot Act, Beneficial Ownership, and documentation, legal, flood and insurance standards. Provide authorization to close and partner closely with Servicing Officers, line-of-business partners, and internal teams to ensure coordinated, timely closing, funding, booking, and handoff to servicing. Support post‑closing activities and subsequent loan modifications, ensuring accuracy, timely completion, and continued risk management. Serve as a senior resource and mentor to team members, providing onsite training, guidance, quality verification, and acting as backup to management as needed. Lead or participate in projects and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy, risk controls, and client experience, including in‑person collaboration and sessions. Participate in and lead client meetings, pipeline discussions, and syndication bank meetings, delivering high‑quality, personalized service to internal and external clients. Complete all required training within established timeframes and maintain ongoing professional and regulatory readiness. 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 with a high level of professionalism at all times, conducting business ethically, avoiding conflicts of interest, and acting in the best interests of Key’s clients and Key. Education Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience Paralegal training, law degree and/or LPO license (preferred) Work Experience 5+ years of related experience, including at least 2 years in a Lead Closing Officer role, preferably in banking or financial services (required) Strong knowledge and experience in Institutional commercial real estate senior secured and interim loan financing including committed loan structures, REITs, title/liens, contracts, leases, AIA documents, project budgets, insurance, commercial loan documents and other legal documentation, and compliance with governmental legal requirements (Familiarity with Healthcare products a plus) Strong knowledge and experience of multi-bank loan participations/syndications and secondary market standards Skills Strong understanding of commercial lending concepts Expert proficiency in commercial loan documentation and closing Strong knowledge with commercial loan accounting systems, including LIQ Excellent solution-oriented and problem-solving skills Excellent decision-making skills and judgment Ability to work at a high level of independence without on-site direct supervision Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication Expert planning and organizational abilities; high attention to detail Expert proficiency in managing multiple tasks in a high-volume environment Expert aptitude for analysis, systems and mathematics Deliver excellent, distinctive personalized service to external and internal clients Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote Core Competencies All KeyBank employees are expected to demonstrate Key’s Values and sustain proficiency in identified Leadership Competencies. 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 (2+ days) #LI-JK1 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $57,000.00 - $87,000.00 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. Compensation above is for the Lead Closing Officer. Compensation can be offered at either level depending on job-related factors such as level of experience. Senior Closing Officer Compensation: This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $71,000 to $125,000 annually depending on job-related factors such as level of experience. Compensation for this role also includes eligibility for short-term incentive compensation and deferred incentive compensation subject to individual and company performance. Please click here for a list of benefits for which this position is eligible. 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: 06/26/2026 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 . #LI-Hybrid