Solutions CIO - Middle East

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.

From our welcoming, inclusive, and supportive culture to our globally diverse business, we offer opportunities not only to help you reach your potential, but also to contribute to our clients’ success.

About The Department

Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions (FTIS) delivers customised investment solutions across public and private markets. FTIS provides advice on governance, objective setting, investment policy development, strategic and dynamic asset allocation, risk budgeting, portfolio construction and manager selection (collectively “strategy advice”), and can take implementation discretion where clients prefer a discretionary model, to support institutional clients pursuing complex objectives. FTIS also delivers quantitative equity and multi-asset solutions.

Position Summary

The Solutions CIO, Middle East (“CIO”) is responsible for delivering strategy advice and for working with our portfolio management teams to implement client investment strategies through discretionary investment management. The CIO will serve as a senior adviser and spokesperson for all of Franklin Templeton (FT) to institutional clients and the broader market in the region.

How You Will Add Value

Investment Leadership and Portfolio Management

• Partner with the FTIS Client Investment Solutions Team to deliver strategy advice, discretionary implementation for multi-manager portfolios, and ongoing monitoring and client service for strategy advice and OCIO clients.
• Take accountability for investment performance, ensuring portfolios remain aligned with client objectives, mandates and governance requirements.
• Partner with FTIS and FT specialist investment teams across public and private markets to construct robust multi-asset and outcome-oriented portfolios.
  
  

Strategic Advice and Client Leadership

• Serve as a trusted, peer-to-peer adviser to client CIOs, investment committees, boards, and senior executives.
• Lead and participate in complex client and prospect discussions, including investment committee meetings, finals presentations, portfolio reviews, and strategy workshops including “blue sky” days and investment education sessions.
• Provide strategy advice both in support of FT “single sleeve” relationships with asset allocators and as part of discretionary, OCIO, or other customized solutions.
  
  

Market Presence

• Be a visible spokesperson for FT across the Middle East, representing the firm through client events, consultant engagement, conferences, media, and thought leadership.
• Build and maintain a strong regional network across institutional investors, consultants, intermediaries, and relevant market participants.
• Be a brand ambassador and social media champion for FT. Use LinkedIn as well as non-digital networking practices to establish and enhance your network to try to obtain referrals and coaching on client and prospect opportunities.
• Partner with distribution, FTIS client investment solutions and other client-facing teams to generate demand for both “single-sleeve” mandates and broader solutions.
  
  

What will help you be successful in this role?

• 15+ years of institutional investment-management and investment consulting experience, including experience delivering strategy advice.
• Demonstrated record of delivering investment outcomes for institutional clients.
• Expertise across public and private markets.
• Credibility and experience engaging with client CIOs, investment committees, boards, and senior executives.
• Proven ability to communicate investment views clearly through client meetings, conferences and media.
• Strong commercial acumen, relationship-building skills, and a track record of supporting AUM growth and client retention.
• Experience leading teams and working effectively in a global, matrixed organization.
• Expertise with regional asset classes and economic issues, including oil, gold, Shariah compliance, MENA equity, Shariah equity and Sukuk.
• Bachelor’s degree required; CFA, MBA, or other relevant advanced degree or professional designation preferred.
  
  

#DIRECTOR

Work Schedule & Location

Standard working hours: Hybrid (Four days in office)

Work Locations: Dubai

When applying, please be sure to attach your resume / CV. Applications without a resume file attachment will not be reviewed.

Staffing Agency Disclaimer

Please note that we are not engaging staffing agencies or external recruiters for this position at this time. Any unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted to the company or any employee will be considered the property of the company. We will not be responsible for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited submissions, and no agency or search fees will be paid.

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, color, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, or gender expression, 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.

Artificial intelligence or automated tools may be used to assist in the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants for this position.

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