Senior Climate Analyst in Edinburgh

locations: Edinburgh

posted on: Posted Today

job requisition id: R0004429

Department

Investment - Equities-Positive Change-UK

Overview of Department

Climate Future is a global, growth equities portfolio focussing on the theme of climate. Its ambition is to deliver attractive long-term returns by investing in companies that are making a material contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The fund sits within Baillie Gifford's Sustainable and Impact Neighbourhood, alongside the flagship Positive Change Fund and Global Islamic Strategy. The Neighbourhood is highly integrated; analytical resource and stock discussions are shared between the three strategies. The Climate Future fund is currently in development. After several years of philosophical development, the fund seeded in March 2025 with capital from the Baillie Gifford partnership. The fund is tracking well on its milestones and expected to launch in the latter half of 2026.

Purpose of Role

We are seeking a Climate Analyst to sit within the Sustainable and Impact Neighbourhood. The Neighbourhood Climate Analyst should expect to lead on our definition and analysis of companies, products and behaviours, making a specific contribution to climate solutions – be that in mitigation or adaptation. They will act as a bridge between the Sustainable and Impact Neighbourhood and our firmwide climate efforts, spending approximately 20% of time on this. This position has been deemed a Certified role within the FCA's Senior Manager and Certification Regime. As a result occupants' details will be displayed on the FCA register and both initial and annual fitness and propriety assessments must be completed.

Responsibilities

• Research, analysis and engagement

• Research and analysis that identifies, challenges and supports the intersection between climate solutions and company business models. This will include existing holdings and pre-buy research, as well as industry, country, or thematic analysis.
• Proactively informing investors of new information and perspectives that are relevant to delivering client outcomes, contributing to investment decision-making meetings as required.
• Writing thought leadership on climate-related topics on behalf of the Sustainable and Impact Neighbourhood and central Climate team.
• Leading engagement with industry bodies, frameworks and academics relating to the climate and environment on behalf of the Sustainable and Impact Neighbourhood.
• Leading engagement with companies on climate-related topics on behalf of the Sustainable and Impact Neighbourhood.

• Contributing to the climate integrity of the Climate Future fund by reviewing the portfolio with a climate and environment lens, contributing to presentation materials, and being the point-person on the investment team for compliance with sustainability-related regulation.
• Liaising closely with Baillie Gifford's central Climate team, in particular support of our firmwide approach to define "climate solutions".
• Leading the development of the Sustainability Report for the Climate Future fund, including writing thought leadership, making strategic decisions over which metrics to include, and project-managing its development.

• Maintaining a good grasp on the evolution of climate within finance and relevant regulation, proactively alerting the Neighbourhood to key developments, especially as they relate to the 35-60 Climate Future stocks.
• Presenting internally and externally, including to clients, prospects and consultants, on climate-related topics, and providing insight on how climate factors are integrated into the Baillie Gifford investment research processes.

Your knowledge and experience:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. The ability to cut through jargon/acronyms and influence both investors and climate experts.
• An opportunity-seeking mindset toward climate, i.e. solutions-led rather than risk management focused.
• Demonstration of a deep interest in the field of climate. This may be rooted in climate adaptation, physical risk, energy transition, nature and biodiversity, or company-level emissions and net zero ambitions.
• Intellectual curiosity, with commitment to self-learning and development. To be successful in the role a growth mindset is important.
• Developing understanding of investment and commercial acumen. Sufficient financial literacy to integrate well with the investment team and lead stock-level engagements.
• Highly collaborative and proactive team player. This role is all about integration and influencing.
• A strong sense of accountability and responsibility for client assets.
• A pragmatic, adaptable and execution-focussed approach to the role.
• Network/contacts in the field of climate or the ability to cultivate these over time.
• Evident expertise and credibility in the field of climate. This may be rooted in climate adaptation, physical risk, energy transition, nature and biodiversity, or company-level emissions and net zero ambitions. (Preferred)

The type of candidate we are looking for:

We are looking for a Climate Analyst who combines deep subject-matter interest with the ability to apply climate insight in an investment context. The ideal candidate will be solutions-oriented, intellectually curious and motivated by the real-world impact of capital allocation on climate outcomes. They will be comfortable researching and analysing companies and industries, engaging constructively with management teams and external climate experts, and translating complex climate issues into clear, decision-useful insight for investors and clients. Highly collaborative by nature, they will enjoy working across teams, acting as a bridge between investment professionals and climate specialists, and taking ownership of projects that contribute to both portfolio outcomes and broader firmwide climate efforts.

Critical Skills:

• Storytelling
• Systems Thinking
• Nurture relationships
• Team working
• 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 the following 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

March 16, 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.

If you are currently working at Baillie Gifford as an employee or contractor please apply to this job from the firm's Workday internal career site. Baillie Gifford is an independent, private partnership, which allows us to focus entirely on our clients and their investments. It helps our stability, motivation and culture and enables us to take a long-term view on all that we do, including staff development, client relationships and investing. And just like with our investments, we're good at spotting potential in our employees. Join us and we'll actively support you to explore the possibilities of your career and interests. We'll give you on-going training and development, all to ensure you have valuable opportunities to grow your unique talents and pursue your goals. We're also incredibly committed to the wellbeing of our employees. This is just a taste of our culture. One that was created by the partners who own and will work with you every day in the firm. People who are always on hand to hear your ideas and suggestions of how to make Baillie Gifford an even better place to be.