Head of Data Science Technology Solutions

At Franklin Templeton, we are advancing our industry forward by developing new and innovative ways to help our clients achieve their investment goals. Our dynamic firm spans asset management, wealth management, and fintech, offering many ways to help investors make progress toward their goals. We invite you to join us in delivering better outcomes for our clients around the world. Head of Data Science – Investment Technology Solutions The Head of Data Science will lead the development of a globally scalable, AI‑enabled data science capability within Investment Technology Solutions (ITS), delivering advanced analytics and machine learning solutions that directly enhance investment outcomes across asset classes. Reporting to the Head of ITS, this role will bridge front‑office investment teams and enterprise technology, ensuring that data science capabilities are platform‑based, industrialised, and embedded into portfolio construction, risk management, and investment operations workflows. Key Responsibilities Investment‑Focused Delivery Partner closely with CIOs, Portfolio Managers, and Research Heads to translate investment challenges into scalable analytical solutions. Develop and productionalise alpha signals, risk models, optimisation engines, liquidity analytics, and scenario‑modelling capabilities. Ensure analytics are embedded within portfolio construction, trading, and risk systems (e.g., Aladdin, Wall Street Office, Axioma or equivalent platforms). Drive quantifiable improvements in performance attribution, risk‑adjusted returns, drawdown management, and portfolio efficiency. Data Science Platform & Architecture Design and implement a robust, cloud‑enabled data science platform supporting research and experimentation environments, feature stores and reusable signal libraries, model development, validation, and testing frameworks, MLOps and model lifecycle management, and deployment pipelines into investment and risk platforms. Ensure architecture supports cross‑asset reuse, security, auditability, and regulatory compliance. Align platform standards with broader ITS data and infrastructure strategy. Enterprise & Cross‑Functional AI Enablement Collaborate with Risk, Finance, Operations, and Distribution teams to extend AI capabilities where aligned to investment technology priorities. Contribute to enterprise AI initiatives including stress testing automation, operational intelligence, and advanced reporting analytics. Represent ITS Data Science in enterprise AI governance and model risk forums. Promote responsible AI principles including explainability, transparency, and bias mitigation. Organizational Build & Global Scale Establish and scale a high‑performing global data science organization embedded within ITS. Develop a federated delivery model supporting regional investment teams across market hours. Create clear differentiation between quantitative research, data science, AI engineering, and ML platform engineering roles. Implement strong talent development pathways to build deep capital markets and vendor platform expertise. Product Mindset & Value Realisation Operate data science as a product capability, with defined roadmaps, prioritisation frameworks, and measurable value tracking. Establish adoption metrics and performance KPIs for all deployed solutions. Balance near‑term market support needs with longer‑term platform innovation. Governance & Controls Implement robust model validation, monitoring, and lifecycle management processes. Ensure compliance with model risk management standards and regulatory expectations. Maintain data lineage transparency and documentation standards aligned with ITS governance frameworks. Candidate Profile Experience 10+ years’ experience in asset management, capital markets, or quantitative investment technology environments. Demonstrated leadership building and scaling data science or quantitative analytics teams within a technology‑enabled operating model. Proven track record delivering production‑grade AI/ML solutions embedded in investment platforms. Experience operating in regulated financial services environments. Capital Markets Expertise Deep understanding of multi‑asset portfolio construction and optimisation, risk modelling and stress testing, market structure, liquidity dynamics, and execution considerations. CFA designation strongly preferred. Advanced degree (PhD/MSc) in quantitative finance, statistics, mathematics, computer science, or related discipline desirable. Technical & Platform Expertise Strong command of statistical modelling, machine learning, and time‑series analysis. Experience integrating alternative datasets into investment workflows. Familiarity with cloud‑native data architectures, distributed compute, and MLOps frameworks. Experience working with enterprise investment platforms (e.g., Aladdin, Wall Street Office, Axioma) strongly preferred. Leadership & Operating Style Technology‑forward leader with strong investment credibility. Product‑oriented and outcome‑driven. Comfortable operating in a global, matrixed ITS organisation. Strong communicator capable of influencing senior investment and technology stakeholders. Benefits Competitive salary range of $208,000–$270,000 plus discretionary bonus. Annual discretionary bonus and 401(k) plan with company match. Medical, dental and vision insurance, employee stock investment programme, tuition assistance, and paid time off. Well‑being programme and support for physical and mental health. Equal Opportunity Employer Franklin Templeton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to ancestry, age, colour, disability, gender identity, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation. If you need an accommodation or adjustment to search for or apply for one of our positions, please send an email to accommodations@franklintempleton.com with the accommodation or adjustment you are requesting, the job title, and the job number you are applying for. We may take up to three business days to respond. #J-18808-Ljbffr