Director of Trade Union and Employment Relations

About Us

We are the British Dietetic Association (BDA). We are an award-winning not-for-profit Trade Union, based in Birmingham, employing dedicated, dynamic and professional staff who deliver services for our membership of more than 12,400 dietetic professionals. Founded in 1936, we are one of the oldest and most experienced dietetic organisations in the world. We represent the whole of the dietetic workforce – practitioners, researchers, educators, support workers and students. The BDA seeks to ensure the fair and equal treatment of all members, including fair representation and access to services and participation. We also promote the equality of opportunity for the dietetic profession, and work to remove barriers to career progression.

Employment Benefits

• Pension Scheme (employer 12% contribution)
• Flexible Working Policy
• THRIVE Accreditation
• Staff Well being Group Parental Leave arrangements
• 'Cash Back' Healthcare and Healthcare Scheme
• All positions subject to 6 months probationary period, statutory sick pay during this period
• Sickness Benefits – after successful probationary period
• Trade Union Recognition- GMB
• 30 days Holidays per annum (1 to be taken last working day before Christmas and 3 to be taken between Christmas and New Year, this is for full time, will be pro-rata’d for part time employee)
• Staff Development opportunities

About The Role

The British Dietetic Association is recruiting for a Director of Trade Union and Employment Relations. This is an exciting, dynamic role which will involve travel throughout the four nations (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) to attend key Trade Union and aligned Political Events. The Director of Trade Union and Employment Relations will report to the BDA’s CEO. The role holder will also oversee Trade Union National Executive Committee (TUNEC) Board, which ensures the proper management and direction of the BDA Trade Union. You will also manage a team of staff who oversee the Employment Relations (for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland) and manage the dietetic trade union reps. In this role you will represent the BDA to our stakeholders – TU officials, civil servants, employers and politicians. At times you may be required to do high profile presentations or speeches at events and sometimes organise BDA TU events.

About You

To be shortlisted for this role you will need to have worked in a Trade Union role (or affiliate) for 5 years or more. You will likely have a degree and a high level of understanding of employment law, which will be required day to day. Experience of leading others and developing their progress and knowledge-base is also important. As a person, you will be passionate about supporting the rights of workers and have a good working knowledge of the NHS, to be best placed to support a large proportion of our members. You will need to be a great communicator, able to deliver compelling verbal presentations and equally produce excellent concise and informative reports. Good governance knowledge will be advantageous too, as you will co-ordinate the Trade Union National Executive Committee (TUNEC) Board and sit on the BDA Board, as a non-Executive Director. Our offices are based in the centre of Birmingham, where you will be required to work 2 days a week, so willingness to travel into Birmingham and manage a team based on site is essential.

To Apply

Please apply to j.otoole@bda.uk.com with a covering letter (*please note that applications without a covering letter will not be shortlisted). For further details of the role please download the full job description from the BDA website (search ‘british dietetic association’ ‘Director of Trade Union and Employment Relations’). Applications must be received by the end of Monday 5 January 2026. Interviews will be in person on Friday 23 January 2026 at our Birmingham office (B3 2TA). Please ensure that you are available to travel on this date.