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. 

Join the BMA at a crucial time for doctors and the NHS and be part of a team working for better pay and conditions for the profession.

About the role

This opportunity as a People Business Partner offers a unique chance to provide expert HR guidance, lead transformative initiatives, and support managers and leaders in creating an inclusive, high-performing workplace.

As a People Business Partner, you will act as an internal consultant, providing proactive, evidence-based solutions while championing our core values. You will collaborate across the organisation to ensure that HR services are effective, inclusive, and meet the needs of our staff and leadership.

This is a fixed term contract opportunity for 12 months. It is a hybrid role with a mix of working from home and from BMA House (min 1 day per week in the office).

We are a flexible working employer and actively welcome applications from applicants seeking part-time or alternative working arrangements. At our organisation, we value work-life balance and are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace for everyone.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior managers and directors.
• Develop and deliver evidence-based solutions by analysing workforce data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Coach managers to drive engagement, inclusivity, and organisational performance.
• Support transformation programmes, ensuring people strategies align with organisational goals.
• Provide expert advice on equalities legislation, fostering inclusivity across the BMA.
• Promote consistency in talent management, recruitment, and development initiatives.
• Manage industrial relations and collaborate with Trade Union reps
• Collaborate with staff networks and champion EDI across all people-related activities.
• Lead on employment relations, including complex case management and policy development.

Essential Criteria:

•  Educated to degree level in Human Resource Management or similar professional qualification (e.g. MCIPD).
•  Demonstrable experience as a generalist HR professional in a complex organisation, with strong expertise in employee relations, policy development, managing industrial relations and change management.
•  Comprehensive understanding of UK employment law, EDI principles, and HR best practices.
• Exceptional interpersonal, coaching, and influencing skills. Proficiency in data analysis and HRIS systems.
• A proactive, adaptable individual who embodies our organisational values

 Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working within a Trade Union or Membership organisation would be advantageous

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)
• Onsite gym and subsidised café at BMA House
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with free confidential counselling, a helpline and specialist support available
• 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

Anonymous recruitment

The BMA endeavours to be an inclusive employer, ensuring fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for roles. To support our aims, we use specific software to remove all personal identifying information from CVs and applications.  Personal information such as name, date of birth, age and gender are anonymised and will only become visible to hiring managers if you are selected for interview.

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 this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply through our website. However,  if you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support at any point during the application process, please email recruitment@bma.org.uk.

Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring: 

Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts everybody 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 points-based immigration system and we do not hold a sponsorship licence.