At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead People Operations, creating human-centred services and enhancing colleague experiences.
- Company: Join Baillie Gifford, a forward-thinking firm dedicated to career growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Embrace a dynamic environment that values trust, empathy, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming how people operations support colleagues and leaders.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in People Operations or related fields, with a focus on service excellence.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The People team develops the capabilities, culture and experiences that create a human and commercial edge for Baillie Gifford. We exist to make the firm the world's most distinctive place to grow a career, investing in our people with the same long-term conviction as our portfolios and continually reimagining how work is done to outpace the industry.
The team supports the full people lifecycle, including people operations, people partnering, leadership, learning and capability development, attraction and resourcing, organisational culture, reward, wellbeing and the end-to-end people experience. Through this work, we ensure that people and performance are deeply connected and that our colleagues are equipped to deliver long-term value for clients.
This role leads People Operations across Baillie Gifford, delivering clear, human-centred and technology-enabled services across our people lifecycle. The role protects organisational health, compliance, and trust, while enabling the wider People Team to focus on long-term value.
Responsibilities:
- Lead all People Operations activity, creating an integrated team that delivers high-quality, efficient, and human-centred services.
- Oversee employment law and complex people relations matters, ensuring fair outcomes, compliance, and policy clarity.
- Own people risk reporting, governance, and operational resilience for the People function.
- Lead change enablement, automation, and readiness for AI across people processes and ways of working.
- Own self-service platforms and the People technology roadmap, improving adoption, reliability, and colleague experience.
- Simplify policies and processes so it is easy for colleagues and people managers to do the right thing.
- Build and lead a service-oriented team that works in close partnership with the wider People Team and the business.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, transparency, and accountability within People Operations.
- Contribute as a member of the People Leadership Team to the overall People strategy.
- Represent the operational perspective of the People function in cross-firm projects and external discussions.
What success looks like:
- Clear, human people experiences: People Operations delivers simple, supportive services across the people lifecycle, from onboarding to exit.
- Strong organisational health, risk, and compliance: People risk is well understood, well managed, and proportionate to the firm’s long-term ambitions.
- Modern and effective people operations: People Operations uses technology well to remove friction and free capacity for higher-value work.
- Trusted people data and insight: People data is accurate, timely, and used to support sound decisions.
- An engaged, service-oriented people operations team: The team is confident, capable, and focused on continuous improvement.
- Leadership across the People Team: You provide clear operational leadership that strengthens the whole People Team.
Your knowledge and experience:
- Senior leadership experience running or transforming People Operations, Shared Services or people-adjacent operations in a complex, high-performing organisation.
- Experience leading operational services in regulated or risk-aware environments, with exposure to people risk and governance considerations.
- A track record of building service-oriented teams with clear accountability, strong partnerships and a focus on continuous improvement.
- Experience using HR technology, automation and digital tools to reduce friction, improve reliability and unlock capacity.
- Confidence working with people data and insight to support sound decisions and organisational planning.
The type of candidate that we’re looking for:
We’re looking for an exceptional operational leader who may not come from a traditional People background, but who has deep experience owning and improving services that matter at scale. You bring a systems mindset, strong judgement, and a genuine focus on building trust through delivery.
Critical skills:
- Systems thinking
- Digital effectiveness (including AI)
- Data Literacy
- Enabling others
- Improvement mindset
Additional information:
Instead of a cover letter, candidates are asked to submit a CV and short written responses (maximum 300 words each) to specific questions. We expect candidates may use AI tools thoughtfully as part of their application. We are interested in your judgement, prioritisation and trade-offs – not perfection.
Closing Date: February 12, 2026
At Baillie Gifford we are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful culture in which each of our colleagues can thrive and develop. We believe that our clients are best served by a diverse workforce with the experiences, ideas and perspectives that this brings.
Director of People Operations in Edinburgh employer: Baillie Gifford & Co
Baillie Gifford is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. Located in the UK, the firm offers a supportive environment where innovative ideas are welcomed, and employees are empowered to lead change in People Operations. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, Baillie Gifford provides ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement, making it a distinctive place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of People Operations in Edinburgh
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
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Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Baillie Gifford & Co!
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We think you need these skills to ace Director of People Operations in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Baillie Gifford & Co. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Baillie Gifford & Co and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Baillie Gifford & Co. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Baillie Gifford & Co's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Baillie Gifford & Co
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Baillie Gifford & Co.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Baillie Gifford & Co will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Baillie Gifford & Co and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
