At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and improvement of people services, making them simpler and more effective.
- Company: Join Baillie Gifford, a forward-thinking company focused on people and culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for growth and development.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing employee experiences through innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management or service improvement is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
- Product Lead, People team
- Department: Human Resources-BG-UK
- Overview of Department
The people team develops the capabilities, culture and experiences that create a human and commercial edge for Baillie Gifford.
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.
Purpose of Role
People Product is how we design, improve and evolve the services, processes and tools that support our people across the employee lifecycle.
It treats our core people experiences as products: intentionally designed, clearly owned, continuously improved and measured by the value they create for colleagues, managers and the People team.
The People Product Lead brings product thinking, service design, business analysis, technology fluency and change leadership to make people services simpler, more effective, scalable and better enabled by technology, automation, AI and data, while ensuring human judgement and care remain central to the moments that matter.
Responsibilities
- Establish and embed People Product as a core capability, introducing product thinking, service design and continuous improvement across the People function.
- Own and prioritise the People Product backlog and improvement roadmap, balancing colleague value, business priorities, risk, effort and capacity.
- Diagnose and redesign end‑to‑end people services and colleague journeys, removing pain points and simplifying processes before introducing technology, automation or AI.
- Translate business, operational and user needs into clear requirements, user stories and practical solutions that improve the employee experience and operational performance.
- Partner with Technology, Data, Risk, Innovation and external suppliers to deliver digital, automation and AI‑enabled improvements.
- Lead hands‑on discovery, testing, implementation and adoption of new people services, creating artefacts, managing the detail and ensuring changes are successfully embedded across the organisation.
- Define and track success measures, using operational data to evaluate outcomes and drive continuous improvement.
- Build strong cross‑functional partnerships, aligning stakeholders around shared priorities and delivering simple, trusted, high‑performing people services.
- Success Criteria
People Product is established as a trusted capability with clear ownership and effective ways of working.
The People team has a prioritised, outcome‑focused improvement roadmap that delivers measurable value and helps focus effort on the right problems.
Colleagues and managers experience simpler, more intuitive and more consistent people services.
Technology, automation, AI and data are used effectively to improve service quality and operational efficiency.
Improvements deliver measurable gains in colleague experience, data quality, operational performance and risk reduction.
Strong partnerships exist across People, Technology, Risk and Data, enabling successful delivery and adoption of change.
- Knowledge and Experience
- Experience leading product, service improvement, transformation or operational excellence initiatives in a complex organisation.
- Strong understanding of service design, process improvement and business analysis techniques, with the ability to simplify services before digitising or automating them.
- Experience translating business needs into clear requirements, user stories and practical technology‑enabled solutions.
- Knowledge of people or business technology, workflow tools, automation and AI, with the ability to identify opportunities to improve services, reduce risk and free capacity for higher‑value work.
- Experience with HR technologies is helpful but not essential.
- Strong analytical skills with experience using data and insights to diagnose problems, prioritise work and measure outcomes.
- Proven ability to lead cross‑functional work and influence stakeholders across multiple disciplines.
- Experience managing change, driving adoption and embedding new ways of working.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage technical and non‑technical audiences and translate complex needs into shared outcomes.
- Understanding of how to balance colleague experience, operational efficiency, controls, privacy, compliance and risk in service design.
- Candidate Profile
We are looking for a product‑minded problem solver and human‑centred systems thinker who enjoys creating simple, intuitive services.
You’ll be equally comfortable understanding complex problems, identifying opportunities, prioritising improvements and delivering practical change, taking a hands‑on approach to turning ideas into outcomes.
You’re digitally fluent and curious, using technology, automation, AI and data thoughtfully to improve services and outcomes.
You’re risk intelligent and pragmatic, balancing innovation and user experience with good governance and sound judgement.
You’re data and insight‑led, using evidence to prioritise improvements and measure success.
You build strong relationships across teams and can translate between technical and non‑technical audiences.
You’re operationally empathetic and understand how change lands in the reality of day‑to‑day service delivery.
You’re comfortable with ambiguity, energised by building something new and motivated by improving the status quò in a curious and constructive way.
You may come from a product, transformation, operations, technology, consulting or change background rather than a traditional People career.
What matters most is your ability to solve complex problems, improve services, bring others with you and deliver meaningful, sustained impact.
- Critical Skills
- Systems Thinking
- Improvement Mindset
- Digital Effectiveness (including AI)
- Team Working
- Storytelling
- Closing Date
- Equal Opportunity Statement
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.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Lead, People team
✨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!
✨Make Your Presence Known
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!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Baillie Gifford.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Lead, People team
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. 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 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. 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'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
✨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.
✨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 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 and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
