Data Manager – Clients Department

Baillie Gifford & Co; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Baillie Gifford is recruiting a Data Manager to shape how client data is defined, managed and used across the Clients Department. You will own and govern data supporting client servicing, reporting, analysis and decision‑making, defining ownership and standards with cross‑functional partners.

You will collaborate with Investments, Operations, Technology and Data Services to improve data quality, reduce manual work and build long‑term data capabilities while ensuring data is accurate, well

Qualifications

• Experience managing data in a complex organisation.
• Ability to translate business requirements into clear data definitions, standards and improvements.
• Knowledge of client data in an investment management firm is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage client data, defining what data is required, how it should be used and who is accountable for it.
• Establish clear definitions, hierarchies, classifications and standards for client data in partnership with data owners and stakeholders across the firm.
• Ensure data used for client servicing, reporting, analysis and decision‑making is accurate, consistent and appropriate for its intended purpose.
• Identify and resolve data quality issues, establishing appropriate controls, processes and ownership to prevent recurrence.
• Work across Clients, Investments, Operations and Technology to improve the consistency of data across internal and third‑party platforms.
• Maintain clear documentation covering key client data, including its definitions, sources, ownership, processes and controls.
• Develop an understanding of the department’s long‑term data and information requirements and identify opportunities to simplify processes and improve capabilities.
• Act as a subject matter expert and, where appropriate, product owner for tools and capabilities supporting the management, access and analysis of client data.
• Support change initiatives and embed effective data management and governance practices, providing guidance and training to colleagues.

Skills

Data governance

Data quality

Stakeholder management

Data modelling

Data definitions

Documentation

Job description

Data Manager – Clients Department

Overview of Department The Clients Department supports the firm’s relationships with clients by ensuring colleagues have the information, processes and tools required to deliver an excellent and consistent client experience. Improving how client data is defined, managed and used is an important part of developing these capabilities.

Purpose of Role

We are looking for a Data Manager to help shape how data is managed, understood and used across our Clients Department. This role will take ownership of the data that supports client servicing, reporting, analysis and decision-making, ensuring that it is accurate, well understood and used consistently across internal and third‑party platforms. You will work closely with colleagues across Clients, Investments, Operations, Technology and Data Services to establish clear ownership, definitions and standards for client data, improve data quality and reduce unnecessary manual processes. The role will also help shape the longer‑term data capabilities required by the Clients Department, identifying opportunities to improve how information is managed, accessed and used as client and business needs evolve.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage client data, defining what data is required, how it should be used and who is accountable for it.
• Establish clear definitions, hierarchies, classifications and standards for client data in partnership with data owners and stakeholders across the firm.
• Ensure data used for client servicing, reporting, analysis and decision‑making is accurate, consistent and appropriate for its intended purpose.
• Identify and resolve data quality issues, establishing appropriate controls, processes and ownership to prevent recurrence.
• Work across Clients, Investments, Operations and Technology to improve the consistency of data across internal and third‑party platforms.
• Maintain clear documentation covering key client data, including its definitions, sources, ownership, processes and controls.
• Develop an understanding of the department’s long‑term data and information requirements and identify opportunities to simplify processes and improve capabilities.
• Act as a subject matter expert and, where appropriate, product owner for tools and capabilities supporting the management, access and analysis of client data.
• Support change initiatives and embed effective data management and governance practices, providing guidance and training to colleagues.

Your knowledge and experience

You will have experience managing data in a complex organisation and be comfortable working with colleagues across business, operational and technology teams. You should be able to combine strong data management expertise with a practical understanding of how information is used to support clients and business decision‑making. Knowledge of client data in an investment management firm is advantageous.

We are looking for someone who can:

• Build a strong understanding of client data and how it supports business processes.
• Translate business requirements into clear data definitions, standards and improvements.
• Identify the root causes of data quality and process issues rather than simply resolving individual exceptions.
• Influence stakeholders and establish clear ownership across organisational boundaries.
• Balance immediate operational requirements with longer‑term strategic improvements.
• Communicate data concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical colleagues.
• Take ownership and proactively identify opportunities to improve how data is managed and used.

What Success Looks like

Client data ownership is clear, with agreed definitions, responsibilities and standards for the most important data used by the department. Confidence in client data has improved, with priority data quality issues addressed and appropriate controls in place to prevent recurrence. A clear roadmap for client data improvement is established and understood, covering priority processes, data capabilities and technology improvements. Manual effort and inconsistency have reduced, with measurable improvements in how client data is accessed, managed and used across the department.

The type of candidate we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who enjoys making data easier to use, trust and understand. You’ll bring strong data management experience and be comfortable working with colleagues across the firm. You’ll be curious about how data is used within our systems and processes, confident getting to the root cause of issues and proactive in taking ownership of solutions. You’ll also be able to build strong relationships, influence across teams and explain data concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical colleagues. Experience of working with client data in investment management would is desirable, but a practical mindset and a genuine interest in improving how data supports clients and decision‑making is of equal importance.

Critical skills

• Data literacy
• Adaptability
• Team working
• Systems thinking
• Storytelling
• Nurturing relationships

Closing Date October 19, 2026

Company culture

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.

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.

So, if this sounds like somewhere you could realise your full potential, then our next investment could be you.