Head of Legal Services

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

Job summary

A leading trade union is seeking a Head of Legal Services to oversee legal affairs and advise on employment law. This role involves flexibility with no set hours, managing a diverse legal team, and ensuring effective legal service delivery to union members. An exciting opportunity for an experienced solicitor/barrister looking to make a positive impact.

Benefits

Defined contribution pension

Generous holiday entitlement

Free onsite parking

Free health assessments

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in employment and industrial law.
• Valid driving licence required.
• Experience managing legal staff preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Union's solicitor and advise on employment relations law.
• Oversee personal injury caseload and external solicitors.
• Develop legal services and improve systems for member delivery.

Skills

Employment law

Managing staff

Industrial law

Education

Solicitor or Barrister qualification

Job description

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

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

Location: Head Office, Salford Quays, M50 3XZ

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. Alternatively, please e-mail or telephone the HR Section on , quoting Ref: 921.

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

CVs are not accepted. No agencies please.

Usdaw is an Equal Opportunities Employer.