Product Development & Client Initiatives Manager

At Franklin Templeton, we’re advancing 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 provide opportunities to help you reach your potential while helping our clients reach theirs.

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

We are looking for a Product Development & Client Initiatives Manager to join our Malaysia or Singapore office. This role will have dual reporting to the VP, Global Product Development & Implementation and the COO APAC Distribution. 

The primary objective of the Product Development & Client Initiatives Manager is to drive product development initiatives within the APAC region. Working closely with the distribution teams within APAC, the Global Product Strategy team and business partners across the organization to ensure product launches, closures, and changes are developed and implemented successfully and in a timely manner. The role will also involve managing other projects and initiatives deemed of strategic importance across the distribution business in APAC as required.

What are the ongoing responsibilities of this position?

• Responsible for the successful implementation of complex retail, institutional and digital solutions regionally (new product launches, mergers, closures, repositioning, restructuring, product changes, exploration of new product lines and technology).

• Manages the local registration of our product platform in Asia.

• Manages product and client initiatives. Determines the scope, the approach and sets the direction and implementation strategy for each initiative.

• Oversees and leads cross-functional project teams.

• Collaborates with Sales, the investment teams and teams within Global Product Strategy to drive the development and implementation of product initiatives.

• Taking product ideas and developing these, assessing the regulatory and operational context to ensure the product is ready for implementation.

• Building, developing and presenting business cases to senior leaders.

• Regular reviews of timelines, resources, scope and product requirements with subject matter experts across the organization to drive the successful implementation of product initiatives.

• Identifies implementation challenges in a timely manner. Escalates issues and solutions to stakeholders. Presents solutions and options to address implementation challenges.

• Builds relationships, garners support and resources, and collaborates with business partners such as Legal, Compliance, Franklin Templeton Services, Marketing, Global Shareholder Services, Franklin Templeton Technologies and other departments to sponsor and drive the implementation of product and client initiatives.

• Collaborates with Legal and Compliance to seek and stay abreast of regulatory changes affecting product development and implementation.

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

• At least 10 years industry experience with solid understanding of the investment management and financial services industry

• Relevant experience in product development and implementation

• Experience leading and managing projects with excellent project management skills

• Prior supervisory experience preferred

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

• Strong understanding of investment products

• Knowledge of regulatory, industry rules, guidelines and standards

• Excellent time management and follow through skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English are essential

• Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to interact across all levels

• Self-starter with a proven ability to work autonomously

• Meticulous and attention to detail

• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

• Excellent facilitation, mediation, negotiation, and persuasion skills

• Strong client service and customer focus

• Project management and Agile qualifications advantageous

• Business software: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), MS Project, MS Visio, JIRA, Confluence

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