Product Management Director - Mutual Funds

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Lead efforts with investment teams and distribution leaders to assess, make recommendations and manage assigned product range to ensure the competitiveness of existing products; make recommendations to modify product features and pricing, and/or to merge or liquidate
• Collaborate with US Product Strategy and others within Franklin Templeton to identify gaps within the existing product range and define the product management roadmap for US Distribution, ensuring it meets both current market demands and long-term strategic goals
• Work with US Product Management, Governance & Implementation, investment teams and others in US Distribution to ensure timely and successful delivery of USD's product strategy, including rationalization
• Identify, evaluate and communicate current and emerging regulatory and market trends and determine potential implications to products within the assigned product range
• Apply product and investment expertise of assigned product range and regulatory regime to identify product gaps and recommend proposals to modify product features and pricing, and/or to merge or liquidate products
• Gather feedback and input from US Distribution and internal partners, including legal, compliance, finance and investment management to develop product proposals
• Routinely review pricing for assigned product range, including as part of the annual 15c contract renewal process, to ensure that products remain competitively priced within the US while providing acceptable profitability levels to Franklin Templeton
• Analyze product characteristics and industry data to develop cross investment team product positioning including data-driven proof points, market trends, and product attributes, driven by and in collaboration with investment teams for assigned product range
• Articulate product positioning relative to competitors to US Distribution and US Marketing
• Support US Distribution by researching and providing answers to questions related to product management lifecycle for assigned product range (e.g., pricing, timing of product changes, launches, mergers, and closures)
• Act as the primary internal resource for the assigned product range by providing leadership in representing product to investment teams and other business partners for US Distribution initiatives
• Oversee day-to-day efforts of product management team members for assigned product range, leading by example, and managing overall US Distribution needs, business priorities and team resources

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required; CFA or MBA preferred
• 15+ years in investment management/financial services
• 10+ years in product management/investment specialist roles
• Series 7 & 63 required
• Strong understanding of the 1940 Act regulatory requirements
• Excellent knowledge of markets, products, and investment processes with an emphasis on fixed income
• Strong demonstrated ability to accurately curate and analyze data from Morningstar Direct, SimFund, Lipper and other relevant sources
• Attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple projects
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
• Exceptional relationship management and collaboration skills
• Ability to solve complex problems independently and direct team efforts
• Highly motivated and a self-starter

Nice to Have

• Experience with US Distribution strategies and product lifecycle management
• Experience working within a global asset management firm
• Knowledge of regulatory trends and market developments in mutual funds and fixed income products

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Series 7 & 63 licenses
• 15+ years in investment management/financial services
• 10+ years in product management or investment specialist roles

Benefits & Perks

• Annual discretionary bonus
• 401(k) plan with a generous match
• Comprehensive healthcare options, insurance, and disability benefits
• Employee stock investment program
• Reimbursement for certain education expenses
• Paid time off including vacation, holidays, sick leave, parental & caregiving leave, bereavement, volunteering, and floating holidays
• Onsite fitness and recreation centers (at certain locations)
• Onsite cafeteria (at certain locations)