Head of Legal Services

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

Job summary

USDAW seeks a Head of Legal Services to lead its Legal Department at the Head Office in Salford. This pivotal role requires a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with substantial experience in employment and industrial law and involves providing expert legal advice while managing staff and services effectively. Notable benefits include a defined contribution pension and generous holiday entitlement.

Benefits

Defined contribution pension

Generous holiday entitlement

Free onsite parking

Free health assessments

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in employment and industrial law.
• Experience managing staff is ideal.
• Must hold a valid driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Union’s solicitor.
• Advise on employment relations law and practice.
• Oversee personal injury caseload and legal service delivery.

Skills

Employment Law

Industrial Law

Staff Management

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 [e-mail] or telephone the HR Section on 0161 413 0904, 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.