Job Overview

About the BMA

The British Medical Association (BMA) is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the UK.  We represent, support and negotiate on behalf of all UK doctors and medical students. 

We’re looking for an influential and politically astute National Director to provide strategic leadership and direction for BMA Scotland.  The successful applicant will play a key role as a member of the BMA senior leadership team in shaping the strategy and structure of the organisation to help meet the BMA’s overall goals and objectives at a UK-wide level.

The National Director is a senior, multi-faceted role accountable for all matters relating to policy and strategy, contract negotiation, communications and public affairs, committee strategy and activity and member support within Scotland. They will lead a team of department heads and the wider team in Scotland to deliver the business strategy. They will also be accountable for representing the BMA at the highest level of government, engaging directly with the First Minister and health ministers, the public, the media and with key external stakeholders including other trade unions and medical royal colleges.

Join BMA Scotland at a crucial time for doctors and the NHS and lead the strategy and team that are working for better pay and conditions for the profession.

This is a hybrid role with a mix of working from home and from our Edinburgh office.

To be successful as a National Director you’ll have:

• Extensive leadership experience
• A proven ability to develop and execute a business strategy aligned to organisational objectives
• Budgetary management experience to deliver cost effective organisational and resourcing solutions
• Demonstrable success in managing, developing, engaging and motivating a management and wider team to achieve performance targets and deliver tangible results against the organisational objectives
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective relationships with key internal stakeholders and influential external figures (including politicians, the media, senior leaders in health and social care in Scotland and policy makers).
• Knowledge and expertise of government plans/policies, health and trade unions within Scotland and the wider UK political context
• Experience of a leadership role within a Membership organisation (desirable)

Interviews will take place mid-June at our Edinburgh office.

Why work for us?

We offer a wide range of benefits including:

• 30 days holiday entitlement plus bank holidays and a BMA company day
• Double matching pension contributions up to 12% of salary
• Additional leave entitlement for volunteering or moving house (after completion of probationary period)
• BMA Law - discounted rates for employees requiring legal services such as will writing/conveyancing
• Multiple flexible benefits and discounts through our employee benefits platform
• Lots of Learning and Development/training opportunities via our internal learning hub
• Season ticket loan (up to £10,000) after completion of probationary period

Whether the role needs you to work at home, in an office or in a hybrid way, we`ll provide all the support you need.  

If you require any reasonable adjustments at any point in the application or interview process, please email recruitment@bma.org.uk.

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply through our website. Please, note that we are unable to accept CVs and applications via email.

Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring:

Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts everybody with the right skills and experience and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

BMA is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge as we recognise that diversity makes us stronger.

Please note, we are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK Licenced Worker Scheme, as we do not hold a sponsorship licence.