Director, Digital Audience Engagement

About the Department

The Franklin Innovation Research, Strategies and Technologies (FIRST) team serves as Franklin Templeton's hub for innovation, helping the firm identify, develop, and advance opportunities at the intersection of investment management and emerging technologies. The team plays a key role in shaping the firm's digital assets strategy and bringing innovative solutions to market, while fostering collaboration across business, investment, and technology functions. Through thought leadership, strategic initiatives, and experimentation with next-generation technologies, FIRST helps position Franklin Templeton at the forefront of the evolving financial services landscape.

About the Role

The Director, Digital Audience Engagement will be responsible for leading a small team and working cross-functionally with brand, marketing, communications, product, sales, investment teams, 3rd party agencies and the broader Franklin Templeton business. The incumbent will drive commercial outcomes by championing a fresh approach to strategic messaging and engagement across FIRST initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Guide FIRST and our Digital Assets teams in building strategic audience engagement and creative communication plans across earned media, social media, thought leadership, content, events/conferences, digital platforms, campaign planning and more.
• Evolve our key messaging framework, narrative, and strategy to elevate Franklin Templeton and showcase our future-forward thought leadership, as well as our fintech, digital assets, and crypto investing units, and any new innovation programs generated by FIRST.
• Write detailed strategic briefs, with deep audience and category insights, which serve as the north star for each project and the go-to resource for internal and external partners as they produce successful engagement programs.
• Support our sales and business development colleagues as they consider strategic communications and digital engagement in their plans to drive commercial activity, deal flow and AUM generation.
• Partner closely with the Franklin Templeton Global Communications team to drive an earned media, PR and market commentary strategy aligned to key business goals.
• Mentor and lead a team of hands-on managers who will oversee strategies across internal and external communications, social media management, content, creative, web experiences, events, sponsorship, conference planning and more.
• Direct 3rd party creative, PR, events, digital, and social media agencies to produce great work, efficiently and at scale.
• Lead by example and encourage the team and partners to integrate AI tools across communications and digital engagement plans.
• Serve as an expert on next-gen audiences and digital engagement trends, with a particular focus on digital native investors.
• Explore and leverage new digital engagement platforms and produce content programs optimized for emerging channels.
• Build trust and rapport with internal partners across marketing, sales, digital/web, brand, legal and compliance to launch innovative audience engagement programs and communication plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience required.
• 10+ years of experience in digital engagement or communications.
• Expertise in digital assets, cryptocurrency, blockchain, and emerging technologies.
• Exceptional presentation and storytelling capabilities.
• Strong writing, editing, and content development skills.
• Experience with digital engagement and audience growth tools.
• Practical experience applying artificial intelligence in business processes.
• Start-up or entrepreneurial experience is highly valued.
• Experience working within regulated industries is preferred.

Skills

• Ability to influence and build stakeholder alignment.
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills.
• Effective negotiation and budget management capabilities.
• Innovative mindset with a willingness to challenge convention.
• Proven people leadership and coaching abilities.
• High adaptability in fast-changing environments.
• Ability to communicate vision and drive execution.

Schedule

This is a hybrid role that can be based out of New York City (NY), Short Hills (NJ), Baltimore (MD), Stamford (CT), or Boston (MA).

Pay

We expect the annual salary for this position to range between $171,000 - $222,000, depending on location and level of relevant experience, plus discretionary bonus.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: Three weeks of PTO in your first year.
• Health Coverage: Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance to support your well-being.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with an 85% company match on pre-tax and/or Roth contributions, up to IRS limits.
• Equity & Investing: Employee Stock Investment Plan (ESIP) with discounted share purchase opportunities.
• Learning: Education Assistance Program (LEAP) to support your ongoing growth and career advancement.
• Employee Investment Benefits: Opportunity to purchase company funds with no sales charge.