Senior Officer (Trade Union Employment Relations)

Employment relations, complex casework, line management and regulatory supp

About the BDA

The British Dietetic Association is the professional body and trade union for dietitians in the UK. The BDA supports the dietetic profession and represents the professional, educational, public and workplace interests of its members. Dietitians are qualified and regulated health professionals who assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at both an individual and wider public-health level.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced trade union professional and people manager to join the BDA as our Senior Officer. This is a senior and varied position with responsibility for employment relations, complex casework and regulatory support across the four UK nations. You will help shape the BDA’s national employment relations strategy and ensure that members receive a high-quality, consistent and legally robust service.

You will manage the Employee Relations Team, comprising National Employment Relations Officers and Casework Support Officers, providing day-to-day leadership, casework oversight, coaching and support. You will also act as a senior point of escalation for complex, sensitive and high-risk matters, including professional regulatory investigations and Employment Tribunal cases.

Working closely with the Director of Trade Union and Employment Relations and colleagues across the BDA, you will ensure that members are supported, protected and represented fairly in matters affecting their employment and professional practice. The role will also involve attending negotiation and collective bargaining meetings and contributing to the development of employment relations strategy, policy and operational processes.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the Employee Relations Team.
• Oversee the delivery and quality of the BDA’s casework service across the four UK nations.
• Provide senior representation and advice in complex, sensitive and high-risk employment and professional matters.
• Act as the senior point of escalation for complex casework and urgent member enquiries.
• Support, coach and supervise colleagues handling difficult or high-volume casework.
• Represent the BDA at employer meetings, partnership forums, negotiations and collective bargaining meetings.
• Provide clear briefings and recommendations on emerging employment relations, workforce and professional issues.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives by reviewing services, processes and member feedback.

About you

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• Significant experience of working within a trade union environment.
• Previous experience of managing, supporting and developing a team.
• Substantial casework and representation experience, including complex matters such as dismissal, discrimination and Employment Tribunal processes.
• Strong and current knowledge of employment law, trade union legislation and employment practice.
• Experience of negotiation and collective bargaining.
• The ability to analyse complex information and make sound, balanced judgements.
• Excellent influencing, advocacy, negotiation and communication skills.
• The ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters with professionalism, discretion and resilience.

Experience of working within the NHS, the wider health and social care system or a regulated health profession would be advantageous.

You must be committed to the ethos of the trade union movement, the fair representation of members and upholding the BDA’s values and professional reputation.

As UK travel is required, applicants must hold a valid driving licence.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter explaining how your experience meets the requirements of the role to [email protected] by 5 October 2026.

Please refer to the full job description and person specification before applying.

Interviews will take place in person and will include scenario-based exercises. The interview date will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates.