Job Description

Main Responsibilities
We are seeking an Interim Director of Member Relations to lead approximately 200 colleagues in supporting the organisation, representation, recruitment and retention of medical students and doctors across England, while we recruit to the full-time position in the longer term. This role also has oversight of our legal support for member employment cases as well as the membership records, pensions, employer advisory service and support teams.


This is an exciting time to take on this role. In recent years we have supported nationally elected representatives and local members to help the BMA to grow to record membership levels, beat ballot turnout records and fight for fair pay and conditions.


The successful candidate will ensure a collaborative approach between the Member Relations Directorate and BMA members, other directorates and across the four UK nations. They will also play a key role as a member of the BMA senior leadership team, starting to deliver on the BMA's newly approved five-year strategy - organising to win, campaigning to influence, enabling success. The interim appointee will be required to support the initial stages of the implementation this strategy and the accompanying organisational design work to deliver it.


This is a great opportunity to lead the Directorate; working in co-production with members to continuously improve the support we provide to doctors and medical students, on an individual and collective basis, at both local and national level.


The Ideal Candidate
To be successful as a Member Relations Director (interim) you will have:

Extensive, senior level, strategic and operational leadership experience of working in a trade union, professional association or membership organisation Empathy with and understanding of the medical profession, their working/training environments and the professional challenges facing medical students and doctors in the UK. Good awareness and understanding of union campaigning and organising, the broader health policy landscape and relevant political and technological developments within area of expertise. Experience of delivering expert support and advice services, welcoming feedback to continuously improve the support available and the quality of the advice offered. Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders; including the ability to collaborate with members to support delivery of strategic priorities. Strong alignment with the BMA's values and behaviours, with the ability to effectively and constructively contribute as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Demonstrable success in managing, developing, engaging and motivating large teams to deliver tangible results against a strategy, with experience of change management.

Why work for us?

We offer a wide range of benefits including:

30 days holiday entitlement plus bank holidays and a BMA company day Double matching pension contributions up to 12% of salary Additional leave entitlement for volunteering or moving house (after completion of probationary period) Onsite gym and subsidised cafe at BMA House Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with free confidential counselling, a helpline and specialist support available BMA Law - discounted rates for employees requiring legal services such as will writing/conveyancing Multiple flexible benefits and discounts through our employee benefits platform Lots of Learning and Development/training opportunities via our internal learning hub Season ticket loan (up to 10,000) after completion of probationary period

Anonymous recruitment

The BMA endeavours to be an inclusive employer, ensuring fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for roles. To support our aims, we use specific software to remove all personal identifying information from CVs and applications. Personal information such as name, date of birth, age and gender are anonymised and will only become visible to hiring managers if you are selected for interview.


Whether the role needs you to work at home, in an office or in a hybrid way, we`ll provide all the support you need.


If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply through our website. However, if you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support at any point during the application process, please email recruitment@bma.org.uk.

Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring:

Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts everybody signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.


BMA is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge as we recognise that diversity makes us stronger.

Please note, we are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system and we do not hold a sponsorship licence.

Closing date: 18 July 2025, Interviews: provisionally w/c 4 August

Immediate/short notice availability required.

Job Overview

About the BMA


The British Medical Association (BMA) is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the UK. We represent, support and negotiate on behalf of all UK doctors and medical students.


Join the BMA at a crucial time for doctors and the NHS and be part of a team working for better pay and conditions for the profession.