SMA Specialist

At Franklin Templeton, we believe success is built through powerful partnerships. As a forward-thinking asset manager, we build dynamic relationships with clients, understand their goals, and navigate complex markets together. We leverage cutting-edge strategies and deep insights to unlock opportunities for long-term wealth creation. Our talented, global teams bring expertise that is both broad and unique.

About the Role

Franklin Templeton’s SMA team within the firm’s Global Product organization is responsible for delivering and driving the growth agenda for the retail SMA business, providing a full suite of powerful investment solutions to meet the evolving needs of clients. The SMA team works closely with Franklin Templeton’s Investment Groups and provides product, sales, and client service support to the broader Distribution organization. The team ensures that the firm’s SMA offerings are supported at the highest levels of investment standards and represented effectively both internally and externally.

The SMA Specialist acts as a subject matter expert and resource to Franklin Templeton’s Distribution organization and Financial Advisors across the firm’s network of distribution partners by working with Franklin Templeton’s independent Specialist Investment Managers and other internal groups. This role requires a deep understanding of retail separately managed accounts and both proactive and reactive sales and client service support of Franklin Templeton’s distribution efforts.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert and organizational advocate for Franklin Templeton retail SMA business
• Cultivate relationships with internal/external Sales teams to support business development and growth objectives
• Respond timely to sophisticated inquiries from field sales and financial advisors related to the SMA product line
• Partner with Sales and Financial Advisors to assess complex SMA platform, sponsor, and client opportunities
• Advise on customized SMA, direct indexing, and personalized solutions with Sales and Financial Advisors
• Maintain deep knowledge of the intermediary landscape, advisory platforms, and SMA Sponsor arrangements
• Liaise across Investment Managers, Distribution, and Product to execute a consistent client experience
• Research, resolve, troubleshoot, and escalate complex client inquiries or operational issues as appropriate
• Educate Sales on SMA capabilities, product developments, availability, and industry trends as needed
• Support strategic business initiatives, maintain CRM activity records, and travel as needed for client engagements

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent relevant professional experience
• 7+ years of investment industry experience, including demonstrated expertise in retail SMAs
• Strong investment acumen across equity, fixed-income, direct indexing, and customized solutions
• Deep understanding of the managed solutions landscape, intermediaries, and operations
• Demonstrated ability to manage sophisticated, high-volume competing priorities with urgency and judgement
• Highly organized, self-directed, and capable of leading sales and business initiatives with minimal supervision
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint
• FINRA Series 7 and Series 63 licenses required
• Ability and willingness to travel periodically for client, advisor, and sales engagements

Benefits

• Competitive base compensation with an annual discretionary bonus
• 401(k) plan with an 85% company match on pre-tax and/or Roth contributions, up to IRS limits
• Comprehensive healthcare options, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Disability and insurance benefits
• Employee Stock Investment Plan (ESIP) with discounted share purchase opportunities
• Learning and career development programs, including reimbursement for certain education expenses
• Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick leave, parental & caregiving leave, bereavement, volunteering, and floating holidays)
• Wellbeing program
• Employee Investment Benefits: Opportunity to purchase company funds with no sales charge

Pay

We expect the annual salary for this position to range between $110,000 - $125,000, depending on location and level of relevant experience, plus discretionary bonus.