At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead legal strategies to support workers' rights and shape national policy.
- Company: GMB, one of the largest trade unions in the UK and Ireland.
- Benefits: Final salary pension, employee assistance, childcare support, and more.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and commitment to working people.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on social justice and workers' rights.
- Qualifications: Experience in employment law and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 95558 - 95558 £ per year.
Applications are encouraged from people who are under-represented in the union. We actively encourage women, Ethnically Diverse/Global Majority Heritage, disabled and LGBT+ people to apply.
GMB is one of the UK and Ireland’s largest general trade unions: we’re proud to represent over half a million members from across the professional spectrum and all walks of life.
About the Role
Are you a passionate legal professional committed to social justice and workers’ rights? At GMB, we are rooted in our values of solidarity, equality, democracy, and collective strength. As part of our continued commitment to ensuring fairness and justice in the workplace, we are seeking a dedicated and experienced Legal Officer to lead our national work on employment and industrial relations law, based at our National Office in London. This is more than a legal job - it’s an opportunity to use your legal skills to support working people, help shape GMB’s national industrial policy, and defend trade union rights. At GMB, we believe in the power of collective action to transform lives. We fight for better pay, safer workplaces, and dignity for all workers. This is a senior role at the heart of our legal strategy - supporting our members, shaping national policy, and defending the rights of working people. You’ll be working alongside union leaders, solicitors, and activists to ensure that justice is not just an ideal, but a reality for our members.
About You
The successful candidate will:
- Provide advice and develop strategy in relation to legal or political work as directed by General Secretary or SMT
- Develop and co-ordinate strategy for national campaigns
- Provide advice and support to Legal Department in relation to all legal provision of services to members
- Direct and co-ordinate all national legal actions run by GMB, managing costs and strategic decisions regarding adverse cost risk, selection of external solicitors and litigation strategy.
- Provide advice and support to Political Department as required
- Provide strategic support and assistance to Press Office as needed
- GMB Managing Director for UnionLine, with overall management responsibility for all aspects of GMB’s law firm supplying services to almost 1m members and their families with a current turnover of £36m
What We’re Looking For
- Broad experience in employment and industrial relations law
- A masters degree or equivalent leadership experience in business management with particular expertise in legal services management, accounting and business strategy
- Strong leadership, legal management and corporate governance experience
- Excellent negotiating and key influencer skills
- Ability to build strong interpersonal relationships with diverse group from government ministers through Union officials and union members
- Experience in managing relationships with press and media, and effectively representing Union position both on and off the record
- Good organizational and IT skills
- Experience in putting together diverse and creative campaigns, which balance achieving positive industrial outcomes with other Union goals
- Good understanding of the aims of the trade union movement and the political process
This is an extremely varied but highly rewarding role, and a commitment to putting the needs of working people first is absolutely essential.
In return, we offer excellent terms and benefits, including:
- Final Salary Pension Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Childcare Assistance Scheme
- Season Ticket Loan
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Eye Care claim back Scheme
- Annual Leave Purchase Scheme
- Annual Health Check
Further Information about the role
Though the role is based at national office and will therefore be required to be in regular attendance in Euston, London, we will consider requests for the standard place of work to be located in another GMB office in one of the regions. The successful post-holder will be expected to attend regional or national meetings/events across all four nations of the UK, so a willingness to travel is a must. The hours of work for this post are designated as ‘unspecified’, and there will therefore be a requirement for the successful candidate to work some unsocial hours, which may include some weekend and/or evening work, when required by the role.
Grade 11 (starting at £95,558.88 plus London Weighting if applicable)
General Counsel- Equal Pay and People - GMB National Office in London employer: GMB Union
GMB is an exceptional employer that champions social justice and workers' rights, offering a dynamic work environment rooted in solidarity, equality, and collective strength. Based in London, our National Office provides a unique opportunity for legal professionals to engage in meaningful work that directly impacts the lives of over half a million members. We prioritise employee growth through comprehensive benefits, including a Final Salary Pension Scheme, childcare assistance, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, making GMB a rewarding place to advance your career while advocating for fairness in the workplace.
