VP, Head of AI and Optimization Research

At Franklin Templeton, we’re driving our industry forward by developing new and innovative ways to help our clients achieve their investment goals. Our dynamic and diversified firm spans asset management, wealth management, and fintech, offering many ways to help investors make progress toward their goals. Our talented teams working around the globe bring expertise that’s both broad and unique. From our welcoming, inclusive, and flexible culture to our global and diverse business, we offer opportunities not only to help you reach your potential but also to contribute to our clients’ achievements.

Come join us in delivering better outcomes for our clients around the world!

AI is a new and growing field across industries. There is a significant opportunity to adapt AI capabilities to the asset management industry across investment management, distribution, and operations. This would require extensive research to adapt capabilities like neural networks, reinforcement learning and generative AI for this industry. FT's initial steps in AI have led to award winning capabilities. It has helped underpin our digital offerings and created a significant digital pipeline globally. This has allowed us to expand our research ambition and create a path towards commercialization. This role will help drive the organization towards a mature AI and Innovation driven organization, which in turn has the potential to fuel the next leg of growth for the company and the industry.

As the Head of AI and Optimization Research, this role will oversee AI research across investments, distribution, and operations. This role will be the expert on FT’s AI capabilities, as well as our connection with the evolving space. Stay on top of industry research in this space, connect with industry colleagues, adapt existing research into FT use cases and/or driving completely new areas of research. Liaise with head of digital products, as well as with senior business and investment leaders to translate research into productized capabilities. Standardize the process of research and build out an AI platform for ongoing research. Influence, energize and direct a whole ecosystem of stakeholders towards AI driven innovation. Drive the AI strategy for the company. Collaborate with multiple business lines to help them think through AI and make it a part of their business strategy.

What are the ongoing responsibilities of the Head of AI and Optimization Research

• Build prioritize and execute on the research roadmap. Engage with Investments, Distribution, and operations strategic leaders to identify areas of research. Build a roadmap with clear objectives and targets. Balance advanced fundamental research with applied research for commercial and client requirements.

• Identify opportunities by staying on top of AI research within and across industries. Stay on top of areas like reinforcement learning, neural networks, generative AI and their applications in investments, wealth management and related financial services.

• Build a small and highly qualified team of scientists and quant developers. Mentor them on academic as well as business aspects of research. Scale the team through proven commercial viability.

• Oversee execution through the l team of inhouse scientists as well as external network of researchers and vendors. Develop a strong sense of applied research with a constant focus on commercialization. Ensure standardization of quant development as well as engineering processes within AI.

• Connect with academics and professionals to establish a governance and oversight. Ensure transparency and explainability of AI research. Establish governance mechanisms and processes to interact with regulatory framework. Engage with select clients, partners, leaders and media on research background, observations, findings, and implications.

• Partner with Product Management and Development for translating the AI research into commercially viable products. Drive the build and integration of AI capabilities into different domains of the business Establish processes to ensure seamless connection between research, products, and engineering.

• Beyond the AI research roadmap, drive the AI strategy for the company. Partner with business leaders to help them include AI as a fundamental part of their business strategy. Partner with technology leaders to do the same. Oversee cross functional teams to get AI embedded in different parts of the organization.

• This is a highly influential role. AI is a new field for the industry. An ability to engage with senior stakeholders, help them understand the opportunities and challenges and drive the organization towards a vision is crucial. While technical capability is a foundational need, a demonstrated ability to influence the organization, to drive execution across different teams and a clear passion for business results is critical. This role is clearly oriented towards business growth and not towards standalone theoretical research

What ideal qualifications, skills & experience would help someone to be successful?

• PhD or master’s related to Artificial Intelligence or Optimization techniques; Bachelor’s in engineering, computer science, or other relevant technical discipline is required.

• Minimum 10 years of work experience with at least 5 in a leadership role.

• Hands on experience in AI, quant development and research are required.

• Published academic research, patents or innovation background is preferred.

• Financial services, investments background is preferred but not necessary.

• While the core role is to drive research, the focus on commercialization is crucial. Demonstrated ability towards commercial viability, or a background in product management and/or managing a business would be an important differentiator. The role will work closely with the head of product to drive ideas to execution.

• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive change will be crucial. Prior experience in transformation roles would be a plus.

Compensation Range: Along with base compensation, other compensation is offered such as a discretionary bonus, 401k plan, health insurance, and other perks. There are several factors taken into consideration in making compensation decisions including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. At Franklin Templeton, we apply a total reward philosophy where all aspects of compensation and benefits are taken into consideration in determining compensation. The salary, benefits and variable rewards will reflect the seniority of the position and a competitive market rate. We expect the salary for this position to range between $225k - $325k.

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