Underwriting Manager – Commercial; CMBS, IP

Job Summary

The Underwriting Manager – Commercial (CMBS, IP) provides daily management, oversight and direction for all underwriting activities for CMBS, Investor Placement, and Debt Fund mortgage loans. This role facilitates the diligence of off-balance sheet real estate transactions, ensuring alignment with internal and market risk parameters and partners closely with internal teams, clients, and external stakeholders to deliver high-quality execution aligned with business objectives.

1 N Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois

• Demonstrated proficiency in commercial real estate underwriting, including CMBS, Life Insurance Company and Debt Funds, and provide underwriting expertise when needed.
• Mentor, inspire, and motivate teammates while demonstrating professionalism, mutual respect, and collaboration.
• Thrive in a dynamic, fast‑paced work environment and positively influence team performance.
• Maintain internal underwriting and deal assignment lists to ensure full‑time staff remains utilized and challenged – engage with embedded contractors and third‑party vendors to ensure capacity when deal flow expands beyond internal capacity.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, and promote frequent, direct communication with commercial underwriting team, internal stakeholders, rating agencies and other market participants.
• Understand underwriting trends and best practices within other products under the Commercial Mortgage Group umbrella.
• Review credit memo prior to submission to committee ensuring the underwriting and credit memo are thorough, reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the transaction and all underwriting parameters have been properly documented.
• Use internal and external trend analysis to review, assess and update commercial real estate underwriting processes and procedures.
• Identify transaction risks and work with other commercial managers to mitigate to minimize execution and pricing risks.
• Review the performance and output of third‑party vendors and provide timely and thoughtful feedback to vendors and KRETS management when needed.
• Demonstrate proficiency in complex borrower structures ensuring commercial underwriters identify necessary participants and complete proper searches and disclosures.
• Review and analyze transaction‑related documents and prepare written narrative summaries.
• Collaborate with origination, closing, and securitization managers to ensure compliance with internal guidelines and market standards.
• Build and maintain internal and external relationships ensuring commercial management team is aware of evolving market trends that could influence business strategy.
• Contribute market intelligence, ideas, and individual strengths in support of Key Bank’s mission and team goals.
• Comply with all Key Bank policies and procedures, including acting professionally, conducting business ethically, avoiding conflicts of interest, and acting in the best interests of clients and Key Bank.

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate, finance, economics, or a related field preferred.

• Ten or more years’ experience in origination, underwriting of commercial mortgage loans and/or debt capital markets banking.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Adobe products.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient understanding of underwriting fundamentals with a strong focus on debt capital markets financing structures.

• Understanding of real estate debt capital markets.
• Decision‑making and accountability.
• Risk identification, mitigation, and compliance awareness.
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast‑paced work environment.
• Problem‑solving and analytical reasoning.
• Relationship building and collaboration.
• Client service orientation.
• Confidentiality and ethical judgment.
• Business and financial acumen.
• Credit analysis.
• Know Your Customer and Anti‑Money Laundering compliance.
• Commercial lending process support.
• Mortgage advisory and underwriting expertise.
• Transaction coordination and execution.
• Sales and business support.

All Key Bank employees are expected to demonstrate Key Bank’s values and abide by Key Bank’s Code of Conduct.