Head of Legal Services

USDAW; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading trade union seeks a Head of Legal Services for its legal department. The role requires a qualified solicitor or barrister with extensive experience in employment law to provide legal advice and manage a team. The position offers flexibility with travel across the UK and includes a generous benefits package.

Benefits

Defined contribution pension

Generous holiday entitlement of up to 32 days

Free onsite parking

Free health assessments (post probation)

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in employment and industrial law and practice required.
• Experience managing staff is ideal.
• Valid driving license and willingness to travel are necessary.

Responsibilities

• Advise on employment relations law and oversee personal injury caseload.
• Develop and draft responses to consultations and improve legal service delivery.
• Supervise the legal department's operations and responsibilities.

Skills

Employment law

Industrial law

Staff management

Education

Solicitor qualification

Barrister qualification

Job description

Head of Legal Services – Legal Department – Head Office (Ref: 921)

Deadline: Noon on 10 July 2025.

Salary: £72,804 pa (pay award pending)

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers is one of the UK’s largest trade unions.

There are no set hours for this position. The postholder will be expected to be adaptable and flexible to meet the needs of the job, which will include working outside of normal office hours and travelling to any part of the UK which may involve overnights at short notice.

A Union car will be provided, and applicants must hold a valid driving licence and are required to live within 50 miles of Head Office.

This is an exciting and diverse role for a Solicitor or Barrister with substantial experience of employment and industrial law and practice and, ideally, experience of managing staff. The in-house Legal Department currently consists of 16 staff.

What we Offer:

• Defined contribution pension.
• Generous holiday entitlement – 24 days rising to 32 days plus bank and customary holidays (pro-rata to commencing month in holiday year and number of days a week worked).
• Free onsite parking, subject to availability.
• Free health assessments (post probation).

The principal duties of the post are: to act as the Union’s solicitor; to be responsible for advising on employment relations law and practice; oversight of a personal injury caseload and other services which are conducted and delivered through a panel of external solicitors; oversight of pensions and health and safety policy; development of and drafting papers and responses to consultation; the general development and improvement of systems of delivery in respect of the Union’s legal services to its members.

An application pack can be downloaded from here by clicking on the ‘apply’ button.

The closing date is noon on Thursday, 10 July 2025.

CVs are not accepted. No agencies please.

Usdaw is an Equal Opportunities Employer.