At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employment relations strategy and support national negotiations for RCM members.
- Company: Join the Royal College of Midwives, a vital organisation for the midwifery community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, London allowance, excellent benefits, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence national policies and support midwifery professionals.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of midwives and shape the future of the profession.
- Qualifications: Significant trade union experience and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 67499 - 67499 £ per year.
Organisation name: Royal College of Midwives (RCM).
Salary: £67,499 pa plus £5,215 per year London Allowance if applicable plus excellent benefits.
Closing date: Sun, 26 Jul 2026 - 23:59.
Job location: Choose to be based from one of the RCM’s UK offices (London HQ, Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh) or home based, with travel to RCM offices and for other meetings, events and visits as required.
Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week), fixed-term contract for one year.
About this Role
As Head of Employment Relations, you will play a pivotal role in delivering the union’s industrial relations strategy to deliver outcomes for RCM members. You will support national negotiations, lead strategic projects, coordinate industrial action ballots and represent the organisation at a range of national negotiating forums. This is a senior, varied and influential position requiring significant experience in the trade union sector and collective bargaining, together with a strong understanding of the legislative framework governing trade unions.
Working closely with the Director of Employment Relations, you will contribute to national campaigning activity, lead the College’s health and safety work on behalf of members and build productive relationships with key stakeholders, including the TUC, NHS trade unions and other key stakeholders. You will be responsible for providing expert advice on employment relations and trade union legislation, leading the operational delivery of industrial action ballots, overseeing key employment relations projects and supporting colleagues across the UK to ensure our trade union activity is effective, lawful and member focused.
We are looking for someone with substantial trade union experience and a proven track record of successfully negotiating on behalf of members and delivering industrial action ballots. An excellent communicator, politically astute and with outstanding relationship management skills, you will have the confidence to operate effectively within a complex national environment. Above all, you will be committed to championing the interests of our members and advancing the values of the trade union movement.
About the Royal College of Midwives
The Royal College of Midwives is the UK's only membership body run for the midwifery community and by the midwifery community. We are with midwives, student midwives, MSWs and MCAs, day-to-day, throughout their careers, from the moment they start their education and training to the day they leave the profession. Our work is guided and shaped by our members and our mission is to improve their working lives, to amplify their voices and to build our midwifery community.
Royal College Of Midwives (Rcm) | Head Of Employment Relations in Cardiff employer: Trade Union Congress
The Trades Union Congress is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at Congress House in London, where flexible working arrangements and a 35-hour week promote a healthy work-life balance. Employees are encouraged to grow professionally through meaningful contributions to employment rights and labour market policies, ensuring that their work has a direct impact on improving outcomes for working people. With a strong commitment to social justice and advocacy, the TUC fosters a collaborative culture that values every voice and empowers staff to make a difference.
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We think this is how you could land Royal College Of Midwives (Rcm) | Head Of Employment Relations in Cardiff
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