Head of Corporate Services at UNISON in Leeds
About the role
If you can rise to the varied challenges of strategic development, staff management, finance/budgeting, administration, communications and improving systems, here’s your chance to play a key strategic role.
The role
Our 1,200 staff work across 12 UK regions and our national centre in London. Regional offices support the work of local branches, helping to represent, recruit, organise and retain members – as well as making key contributions in areas such as campaigning, strategies for negotiation and bargaining, and actions against discrimination.
As Head of Corporate Services, working under the direction of the Regional Secretary, you’ll be responsible for all aspects of Corporate (Operational) Services within your region and will be expected to make a key contribution within the Regional Management Team to strategic development planning and management of change. You’ll also line manage, coordinate, support and motivate teams across administrative, membership records, finance, IT & systems, personnel and other functions, in order to deliver and maintain services to branches and the region’s staff. In doing so, you’ll act as the vital liaison between the regional office and the branch level lay structure.
The person
What we’re looking for...
Experience of organisational problem solving, including analysis of financial information and statistics, plus evidence of contributing to strategic plans, developing systems/processes and implementing performance standards.
Demonstrable commitment to personal and staff development.
Experience of operating and influencing effectively in a trade union or voluntary organisation environment.
Highly developed interpersonal skills including mentoring and coaching, motivating, dealing with complaints, handling relationships, eg between staff and lay members, presenting and influencing at all levels.
Experience of negotiating commercial contracts and agreements.
Ability to produce comprehensive and coherent reports.
A track record of leadership and day to day team management, including effective delegation, management of resources and staff issues, plus dealing with change.
Experience of project coordination, including time management, developing budgets/controlling expenditure, maintaining databases and confidential information.
A track record of using initiative where independent decision making is required.
Please refer to the job description and person specification for full requirements for this role.
How to apply
To apply for this opportunity please download and complete the general application form, referring to the job description and person specification.
Please note that only the relevant application form will be accepted. CVs will not be accepted.
The completed application form, along with the Recruitment and Disability Monitoring Form, should be sent by email to Y_Hpersonnel@unison.co.uk and quote reference R13/108.
Please save each of your documents to include your full name, followed by job title, region/dept and reference.
Completed application forms must be received by no later than 11:59pm on Tuesday 15 September 2026.
In-person interviews will be held on Monday 28 September 2026 at UNISON Regional Centre, Quayside House, Canal Wharf, Leeds, LS11 5PS.
Please see a map of our regions
About UNISON
UNISON is the UK’s leading public services trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public sector, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services. We employ approximately 1,200 staff, with around 370 at our national centre in Euston in central London and the remainder in our 12 regions across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
UNISON is a dynamic, progressive union, committed to equality. We encourage men and women of all ages, Black and minority ethnic groups, disabled people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to work with us.
