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

We are looking for an experienced Regional Officer -Bargaining to strengthen local membership structures, support workplace representatives and lead collective bargaining in the London region.

Working closely with Local Negotiating Committees (LNCs), lay representatives, employers and regional colleagues, you will act as a trusted advocate for members and help secure positive improvements to terms, conditions and working environments.

These are home-based role reporting to a Senior Regional Officer. Regular travel across London will be required to attend meetings at hospitals, trusts and other locations.  Therefore, it is a requirement for successful applicants to be based in or near the London region or willing to relocate (at their own expense).

 As a Regional Officer -Bargaining you will:

• Lead collective bargaining and negotiations with designated employers in partnership with LNC representatives.
• Plan and coordinate activity across designated LNCs, developing effective bargaining, organising and campaign strategies.
• Build strong relationships with members, workplace representatives, senior employer stakeholders, NHS organisations, other unions and medical schools.
• Provide expert advice on employment matters, contracts, terms and conditions, and local and national agreements.
• Undertake complex individual, group and collective casework, maintaining clear and comprehensive records.
• Use local intelligence and complex information to identify issues, shape negotiation priorities and evaluate the impact of campaigns.
• Support member recruitment, engagement and sustainable representative structures, including succession planning for LNC officers and representatives.
• Deliver training and briefings for members, workplace representatives and local elected officers.
• Prepare robust case histories and documentation, including material for potential legal referral.
• Support and mentor Representation and Casework Officers and provide cover across the regional team when required.

As a Regional Officer -Bargaining you’ll ideally have:

• You will have extensive working knowledge of employment law and significant experience of advising and/or representing employees or employers in complex matters.
• Substantial practical experience of collective bargaining and industrial relations.
• A strong track record of leading negotiations with employers alongside workplace or trade union representatives.
• Highly developed influencing, advocacy, dispute-resolution and conflict-resolution skills.
• The ability to analyse and present complex information to develop detailed negotiation, organising and campaign strategies.
• Excellent planning, organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing demands and tight deadlines.
• The credibility to build effective relationships with members, senior leaders, employers and external partners.
• Sensitivity and resilience when supporting members through workplace change and balancing member expectations with longer-term employer relationships.
• The confidence to work with significant autonomy while recognising when matters need to be escalated.
• A law or CIPD qualification is desirable
• A commitment to member-led organising, inclusion and the BMA’s values.

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, moving house or wedding leave (after completion of probationary period)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Group Income protection & life assurance that is seven times your annual salary
• Annual salary reviews & incremental salary increases from year one to year three
• Onsite gym and subsidised café (at BMA House in London)
• Electric Vehicle and Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme's (available after completion of probationary period)
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with free confidential counselling, a helpline and specialist support available
• Long service recognition every 5 years
• Professional subscription cover where membership of a professional institution is required for your role
• 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)
• Additional annual leave- buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year

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.

To apply please upload an up to date version of your CV and supporting information setting out your suitability for the role. 

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.

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date. 

The role profile outlines the current key responsibilities and expectations for the position. However, the British Medical Association (BMA) is presently engaged in an organisation design process, which aims to ensure that our structure, roles, and ways of working best support our strategic objectives and the needs of our members. As a result, the responsibilities and scope of this role may be subject to change as the association evolves. The BMA is committed to communicating any such changes transparently and supporting colleagues through any transitions that arise as part of this process.

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 points-based immigration system, as we do not hold a sponsorship licence.