Sr. Channel Manager

Location:

The Senior Channel Manager - Branch Channel is responsible for leading a team to execute on KeyBank's branch distribution strategy. This role focuses on translating physical distribution strategy into actionable execution plans across the branch network, ensuring alignment to business priorities, client experience expectations, and operational efficiency goals.

The role owns end-to-end management of branch execution initiatives, including project planning, cross-functional coordination, rollout governance, and outcome attainment. The Senior Channel Manager partners closely with Retail Leadership, Corporate Real Estate, Technology, Operations, Security and Risk teams in addition to external vendors to ensure seamless delivery of branch-related initiatives that enhance client access, optimize cost efficiency, and support long-term network strategy.

• Lead a team of project managers to execute branch distribution strategies in alignment with the enterprise physical distribution roadmap, including branch openings, closures, relocations, remodels, format or functionality changes, and optimization initiatives.
• Partner with the Director of Physical Distribution to translate strategic priorities into executable roadmaps and phased deployment plans.
• Drive consistency and discipline in branch execution standards, ensuring initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned to intended outcomes.
• Support branch network optimization efforts through data-informed recommendations related to coverage, capacity, client access, and utilization.

• Lead complex, multi-workstream branch execution projects from conception through implementation, including scope definition, milestones, dependencies, and risk management.
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans across cross-functional partners including Retail, Technology, Facilities, Security, Real Estate, Operations, Risk, and Marketing.
• Identify execution risks and constraints early and proactively escalate or mitigate to maintain delivery commitments.
• Govern execution cadence through clear reporting, dashboards, and operating routines to track progress, issues, and outcomes.
• Develops, socializes and manages to a multi-year capital budget based on physical distribution roadmap.

• Serve as a central execution partner for Retail Leaders, Branch Operations, and support teams during branch-related initiatives.
• Act as the point of coordination between strategy teams and execution teams, ensuring alignment, shared accountability, and clear communication.
• Influence decision-making across matrixed partners by providing data-based insights, execution perspectives, and trade-off analysis.

• Partner with Retail Analytics and Finance to assess performance impacts of branch execution initiatives, including client experience, volume migration, and cost efficiency.
• Monitor post-implementation results and lead continuous improvement actions to optimize outcomes over time.
• Establish standard metrics and success measures for branch execution initiatives to enable consistent evaluation and reporting.

• Ensure all branch execution activities comply with applicable risk, control, and regulatory requirements.
• Support audit readiness by maintaining documentation, decision trails, and execution governance artifacts.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Seven or more years of experience in channel management, distribution strategy, project management, or operational execution within a financial services or complex enterprise environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale, cross-functional initiatives in a matrixed organization.
• Strong project management discipline with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrated sense of urgency for progress against goals.
• Provent attention to detail and execution with a focus on quality, cost and timeliness.
• Proven ability to influence without authority and partner effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proven ability to effectively lead change.
• Demonstrated experience in executing process improvement tactics and techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in developing staff members.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to tailor communication for executive level, peer level or team level.
• Advanced PC skills including Outlook, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

• Experience supporting branch networks, physical distribution, or retail banking environments.
• Familiarity with real estate, facilities, or network optimization concepts.
• Ability to read and interpret schematic and construction drawings.
• Experience using data and analytics to inform execution decisions and measure outcomes.
• Experience with vendor RFPs.

• Approaches execution with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
• Brings structure, rigor, and clarity to complex initiatives.
• Balances strategic intent with practical execution realities.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, adaptability, and comfort working through ambiguity.
• Consistently operates with KeyBank's values and a client-centric mindset.

Business/Technical Acumen:

• Demonstrates ability to identify and quantify financial impacts and business value to recommended solutions.
• Understands the value proposition of the Branch/ATM Channels and how they contribute to the Community Bank's current and future business strategy.
• Demonstrates systemic and big picture thinking; connect the dots for yourself and internal and external partners.
• Understands and applies Key's risk management philosophy in day-to-day interactions.
• Comprehend the short-term and long-term risk implications of business decisions; mitigate risk appropriately.
• Develops knowledge of the competition and what they are doing within the physical channel space.

Results Focused:

• Pursues work with energy, drive and focus.
• Demonstrates personal accountability for achieving results within established timelines and budget parameters.
• Demonstrates a bottom-line orientation and an understanding of the day-to-day progress and planning required to reach that end result.
• Identifies and escalates situations where results may not be met with recommendations for addressing gaps.
• Steadfastly pushes others for results.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Clearly defines problems beforeattemptingto solve them
• Breaks down complex issues into manageable components
• Uses data, trends, and insights tovalidateassumptions
• Recognizes patterns, relationships, and trade-offs
• Generates a range of potential solutions and alternatives
• Evaluates options based on cost, benefit, and risk
• Incorporates input, best practices, and lessons learned
• Challenges conventional thinking toidentifyinnovative approaches
• Anticipates downstream impacts of decisions
• Communicates rationale clearly to stakeholders
• Anticipates risks and develops contingency plans

Leadership

• Models organizational values, integrity, and leadership standards
• Reinforces a high-performance, inclusive team culture
• Aligns leadership behaviors to organizational brand and reputation
• Builds trust through consistency, transparency, and accountability

Partnering/Influencing

• Builds strong, trust-based relationships across functions and leadership levels
• Proactivelyidentifieskey stakeholders, decision-makers, and influencers early in the process
• Demonstrates understanding of partner priorities, constraints, and business objectives
• Fosters a collaborative environment with open dialogue and shared accountability
• Integrates multiple perspectives to develop well-rounded solutions
• Influences without direct authority through credibility, trust, and logic
• Navigates competing priorities and resolves misalignment to drive progress

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

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.

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.