Your chance to lead and help shape an organisation that defends public servants and promotes public services.

For over a century the FDA has been a strong, pragmatic trade union representing public sector leaders and professionals working in the civil service and parliaments across the UK. The FDA is not party-political and seeks to improve members’ working lives and the public services they deliver through negotiating and campaigning. We act as a powerful voice for public services and the people who deliver them, with an influential membership of more than 22,000 senior managers, policy advisors, diplomats, tax professionals, economists, solicitors, prosecutors and other professionals working across government and the NHS.

This is a great time to become a part of the FDA. We are a growing, exciting and vibrant union with many different opportunities to improve the working lives of FDA members. Whether that’s defending civil servants against attacks on their impartiality, leading the campaign for an independent complaints process for dealing with Ministerial misconduct or campaigning to improve pay outcomes for key public servants.

Your role

Based at the union’s HQ in London Bridge, you will be one of two Assistant General Secretaries who share responsibility for managing the bargaining, organising, communications and career development work of the union. This will involve directly managing the staff working in these areas and leading on strategic negotiations, as well as developing areas of national policy.

Together with the Head of Resources and General Secretary, you will be part of a small senior management team responsible for the operational delivery of the union’s services, building its organisational capability and increasing its influence.

You will directly support the work of the union’s Executive Committee and substitute for the General Secretary as required.

What we are looking for

This is a leadership role requiring strong people management skills and an ability to think and act strategically. You will be creative, seek out responsibility and be able to work collaboratively within a small organisation with limited resources and ever increasing demands.

In return you’ll be given significant autonomy to help shape and lead a union whose members play a vital role in delivering public services.

The FDA offers a good package of terms and conditions including 31 days annual leave and a high quality defined benefit pension scheme. The FDA is committed to equality of opportunity and treatment both in the service it provides to its members and as an employer.

The closing date for receipt of applications (CV’s and cover letter) is: 12 January 2024

Interviews will be held on: 29 January 2024