Lead Closing Officer - Commercial Real Estate and Syndications

Location:

4910 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn Ohio

• 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)

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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.

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 flex