Organisation name BDA Salary £45,718 Pro Rata Closing date Thu, 26 Mar 2026 - 23:59 Job location Hybrid – minimum of 2 days in Birmingham Office per week Hours Part-time Website https://www.bda.uk.com About this Role
Responsible To: Director of Trade Union and Employee Relations
Job purpose
Responsible for the delivery of a full range of trade union services to BDA members
To assist the Director of Trade Union and Employee Relations and Trade Union committees deliver the strategic policy and direction of the Trade Union to promote, develop, and protect the
collective and individual interests of BDA members.
To represent BDA members in employment relations settings and to represent the BDA within a range of union, NHS, and political environments.
Job context
The post holder must be committed to the ethos of the Trade Union movement and representing members of a health profession.
The post holder is expected to always protect the integrity and good standing of the profession and the BDA, upholding the values of the Association.
The National Employment Relations Officer is a full time official within the BDA trade union which supports, represents and protects the interests of members of the association in relation to employment matters; and supports the Director of Trade Union and Employee Relations in the development and implementation of strategy and policy relevant to employment and related matters.
Key areas of responsibility
1. Representation
1. To represent members as a full-time trade union official, providing individual and collective advice and guidance on all issues that affect their employment or welfare for example, sickness absence, disciplinary, grievances, and investigations.
2. Provide advice, guidance, and training for trade union representatives. To be a key point of contact for queries about trade union services and member advice, providing information and responding to complaints as appropriate.
3. To represent and advance the interests of the BDA in policy-making processes, always reflecting the Union’s priorities.
4. Represent members in complex cases that can generate public and media interest.
5. Produce briefings and analysis to enable relevant committees and representatives to identify key priorities for action in line with the needs of the membership and BDA strategy.
6. To take part in lobbying activities to promote the BDA
7. To function as required as the policy or advisory lead on aspects of key policy areas e.g., health and safety or training.
2. Relationship and Communication
8. To build relationships with BDA representatives, fellow trade union officials, and key officials within the NHS.
9. To maintain regular contact with external organisations as designated by the Director of Trade Union.
10. To attend and provide guidance to relevant meetings of the union including the Trade Union National Executive, Annual Conference.
11. To participate in cross team projects, leading where appropriate, to support the Trade Union and assist in the production, implementation and delivery of team priorities and the BDA work plan.
12. To prepare articles/information to inform members and to raise the profile of the profession and the trade union.
13. Prepare complex employment information in a format that informs and develops members knowledge of their terms and conditions of employment.
Initiative and Independence
14. To draft appropriate briefings, guidance, consultation responses, and other materials.
15. Make decisions on complex employment law issues and contractual issues that affect members terms and conditions of employment.
16. The capacity for identifying essential elements from often disparate information and produce measured options for action.
17. The application of employment and legislative matters.
Role Dimensions
Knowledge
The role requires a working and contemporary knowledge of relevant policy and legislation including public (health) policy, employment law and other relevant legislation and pay and reward structures affecting members across the UK. To interpret employment data, research material, proposals and other statements from NHS and other employers for strategic, tactical, and forecasting purposes.
Impact on Reputational Risk
The role will collaborate closely with members, representatives, and employers. The role will be expected to build strong relationships, while ensuring the promotion, strategy and key interests of the BDA and their members.
Work complexity and judgement.
The role requires operating in situations where complex knowledge of employment law is imperative in achieving the desired outcomes for individual members and the wider membership. Sound judgment and decision-making skills are needed in highly pressured situations such as disciplinary hearings, collective bargaining negotiations and dealing with complex and emotive issues. Ability to handle responsibility and highly confidential information while working under pressure to make deadlines and to prioritise time and decisions. Manage complex and highly emotive issues with members that can have long term impacts on their careers. This role also involves a high degree of lone working.
Freedom to make decisions
The post holder will at times have to make key decisions in negotiating forums and at formal hearings.
People Management and leadership
No direct line management but will provide leadership, support, and direction to lay representatives.
Money and resources
No budget responsibility.
Emotional Impact
The role often deals with members experiencing challenging workplace issues and as a result can have an emotional impact.