Senior Contracts Specialist (J.D.)

Location:

555 Patroon Creek Boulevard, Albany New York

The Principal Transaction Manager is the most senior transaction-focused individual contributor within Key Equipment Finance (KEF) Transaction Cycle Management (TCM) and serves as the lead resource for highly structured, strategically significant, and heavily negotiated financing transactions. This position is responsible for independently leading complex transaction execution activities from opportunity review through documentation, closing, and funding while partnering closely with Sales, Capital Markets, Credit, Pricing, Asset Management, Tax, Legal, external counsel, and third-party financing institutions.

This individual serves as KEF's subject matter expert for complex transaction structures, including syndicated transactions, multi-investor transactions, synthetic real estate financings, structured finance opportunities, and other transactions involving extensive documentation negotiations or unique operational requirements. The Principal Transaction Manager is expected to apply advanced business judgment and creative problem-solving skills to structure and execute transactions that fall outside of standard operating practices while ensuring compliance with all applicable credit approvals, policies, procedures, and risk management requirements.

This role functions as the primary escalation point for complex documentation, transaction structuring, and negotiation matters within TCM. The Principal Transaction Manager works independently with minimal supervision and is expected to lead negotiations with customer counsel, participant institutions, investors, external legal counsel, and other transaction stakeholders. In addition, this position serves as a consultant and mentor to Contract Managers, Account Managers, and business partners by promoting best practices in transaction structuring, documentation, negotiation strategy, and risk identification.

Success in this position requires exceptional expertise in equipment finance documentation, transaction structuring, capital markets transactions, legal negotiations, risk mitigation, and cross-functional leadership. The individual must possess the ability to synthesize large volumes of information, identify risks and opportunities, build consensus among multiple stakeholders, and successfully execute transactions that are critical to KEF's strategic objectives while delivering an exceptional client experience.

Job Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as the lead transaction manager for KEF's most complex, highly structured, and strategically significant transactions.
• Independently manage and execute transactions involving multi-party financing structures, syndications, synthetic real estate transactions, structured finance facilities, and other non-standard financing arrangements.
• Lead negotiations of complex financing documentation with customers, external counsel, participant institutions, investors, and other transaction stakeholders.
• Partner with Sales, Capital Markets, Credit, Legal, Asset Management, Pricing, Tax, and other stakeholders to develop, evaluate, and implement transaction structures that meet customer needs while appropriately managing risk.
• Serve as the primary escalation point within TCM for documentation issues, transaction structuring questions, and complex negotiations requiring advanced subject matter expertise.
• Identify documentation, structure, operational, collateral, compliance, and execution risks and develop solutions or recommendations to mitigate those risks.
• Review, analyze, and negotiate legal documentation while balancing commercial objectives, risk management considerations, and client requirements.
• Provide consultation and guidance to Contract Managers and Account Managers on complex transactions, documentation matters, funding structures, and transaction strategy.
• Participate in transaction structuring discussions during the opportunity phase and provide recommendations regarding documentation, operational feasibility, risk considerations, and execution strategy.
• Develop and maintain negotiation best practices, documentation guidance, standard positions, and transaction playbooks for use by TCM personnel.
• Act as a trusted advisor to Sales and Capital Markets personnel regarding documentation strategy and transaction execution matters.
• Exercise delegated documentation and funding authority within Schedule of Authority guidelines ensuring adherence to pricing, structure, asset, underwriting, compliance, and tax requirements.
• Facilitate communication among internal and external stakeholders to ensure the timely execution and funding of highly complex transactions.
• Participate in training and development activities designed to enhance the documentation and transaction management expertise of TCM personnel.
• Lead or participate in strategic projects involving transaction documentation, transaction execution processes, and complex financing initiatives.
• Serve as a subject matter expert representing TCM in internal working groups, business initiatives, and special projects.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of equipment finance products, capital markets structures, legal documentation developments, regulatory requirements, and market practices.
• Other duties, special projects, and reports as assigned.

Required Qualifications Include:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Accounting, Legal Studies, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 10 years of equipment finance, commercial finance, banking, structured finance, legal documentation, or related industry experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in complex transaction structuring, documentation negotiation, and transaction execution.
• Extensive experience negotiating legal documentation directly with customers, external counsel, financial institutions, and other counterparties.
• Strong understanding of equipment finance products, syndications, structured finance transactions, collateral perfection, documentation practices, and risk management principles.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage highly complex transactions involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to influence and lead across organizations without direct management authority.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and highly dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications Include:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
• Experience negotiating complex commercial finance or equipment finance documentation.
• Experience with syndicated transactions, multi-investor structures, synthetic real estate transactions, or capital markets transactions.
• Experience working directly with external legal counsel and third-party financing institutions.
• Advanced knowledge of equipment finance legal documentation and transaction structuring.

COMPETENCIES/SKILLS

Communication

• Strong oral and written skills
• Active listener
• Fosters open communication
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Synthesizes information quickly and efficiently

Personal Effectiveness

• Acts with integrity
• Detail orientation
• Inquisitive mindset
• Strong time management skills and ability to work independently
• Works well under pressure
• Solves problems and offers solutions
• Partners well with co-workers.

Interpersonal

• Builds relationships
• Commands respect
• Drives for results

Technical

• Equipment finance expertise
• Risk management practices
• KEF/KGF ExpressLink

Analytical

• Ability to synthesize significant amounts of information,  process funding events and identify red flags and/or escalate issues to the appropriate individual.
• Ability to effectively communicate analyses (written and verbal), with varying degrees of detail as appropriate for the situation

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $96,000.00 - $181,000.00 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: 10/28/2026

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 HR_Compliance@keybank.com.

 

 

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