Based in Bristol | Field-based across Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire & North Somerset
We’re looking for an experienced trade union organiser to lead campaigns, grow our membership, support activists and deliver outstanding representation.
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 a Regional Organiser, you’ll be playing a hands on, day to day leadership role, as well as acting as an advocate of the union. Guiding, supporting and developing local branches and activists to ensure the strongest possible workplace organisation, you’ll identify activist training and development needs, provide coaching and mentoring to stewards and branch officers, and manage a small team of area/local organisers. Additionally, you will lead negotiations, represent members individually and collectively, and help branches to develop effective systems and processes for handling casework.
The person
What we’re looking for...
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An understanding of our movement, its pressures and drivers, with a passion for equality.
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Ability to provide advice and guidance on the effective organisation of key branch duties (eg maintaining membership density, activist base enhancement, supporting employers with major restructuring, maintaining confidence in union ability to influence outcomes, oversight of case work and reducing response times).
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Good knowledge of key employment law, including developing case law and upcoming changes that may affect members.
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Good understanding of the political landscape and how this might impact our approach.
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Ability to manage a team of staff, with a willingness to collaborate and to lead by example.
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Excellent communication and advocacy skills, with proven ability to manage high level negotiations and representation of cases in challenging situations.
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Ability to build and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, ability to influence and engage at all levels eg activists, democratic bodies/committees.
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Strategic project management experience, including budget management. Ability to develop strategies and solutions to solve complex problems.
Please refer to the job description and person specification for full requirements for this role.
This is a field based role and you will need to be able to travel in and around the South West region, including to our regional offices in Bristol, Exeter, Taunton and Poole, as required and occasionally to London for training, meetings or other purposes. The South West region covers a large area from Wiltshire to Cornwall. However, for the foreseeable future we expect this post to be based in the Bristol office and will be supporting our branches in the north of the region (Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire).
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.
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 Sunday 13 September 2026.
In-person interviews will be held in our Taunton office on Tuesday 29 September 2026.
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.
Non Charity Employer 
Thank you!
We are looking for a warm, thoughtful and organised Dementia Adviser to join our supportive team in London Borough of Bexley working 21 hours per week on a 12 months fixed term contract.
You'll regularly travel between different locations across London Borough of Bexley, manage your own diary and build relationships with a wide range of people. This role involves being out in communities throughout the week, so you'll need to be comfortable travelling independently and working across different locations as part of your normal working pattern.
While some planning and administration can be completed from home, the focus of this role is being present in communities, meeting people face to face and building trusted local connections.
You will work closely with people living with dementia and those who care about them, providing ongoing support. You will listen carefully, understand what matters most to each person and offer guidance that helps them feel steadier and more confident as their situation changes.
Your days will be varied and meaningful. You might be visiting someone at home, offering calm reassurance over the phone, or working closely with other professionals to make sure the right support is in place. We operate a triage system for new referrals and you will play your part in making sure people are responded to quickly and thoughtfully. You will manage your own caseload, keeping clear and accurate records, while always seeing the person behind the paperwork.
You will be part of a caring and dynamic local team who share ideas, reflect together and support one another. There will be time to meet as a team and opportunities to keep growing your knowledge of dementia, with your manager and colleagues alongside you. We provide training and ongoing support.
You don't need previous dementia experience to apply. You may have gained these skills through customer service, retail, education, housing, hospitality, community work, charities, faith organisations or other people focused roles. You may also have personal experience of supporting or caring for someone affected by dementia.
Please don't be put off from applying if you don't meet every requirement listed below. We recognise the value of transferable skills, lived experience and potential.
About you
You will have:
- An understanding of dementia, personal experience of supporting someone affected by dementia, or a willingness to learn about the experiences of people living with dementia and those who care for them.
- Experience providing information, guidance, advice or emotional support. This could be gained through health, social care, community, voluntary, customer service, education, housing, retail, hospitality or other people-focused roles.
- You will be able to listen and communicate, with the ability to build trust and rapport with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
- The ability to manage your workload effectively, with appropriate support and tools, and to balance competing priorities.
- Confidence using IT systems to maintain accurate and confidential records.
- A compassionate, non-judgemental and person-centred approach, with respect for diversity and individual lived experiences.
- The ability to travel independently.
- The confidence and ability to communicate with a wide range of people, adapting your approach to ensure understanding. You may occasionally represent Alzheimer's Society at local events, providing information about dementia and signposting people to further support and resources.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build supportive, trusting relationships with people living with dementia and their carers across, recognising and respecting individual needs and circumstances.
- Provide personalised information, advice and emotional support that reflects each person’s culture, background, values and preferences.
- Deliver support through home visits, telephone contact and partnership working other professionals.
- Participate in the triage rota, ensuring new referrals are handled promptly, sensitively and equitably.
- Manage a defined caseload, maintaining accurate, respectful and confidential records.
- Signpost and connect individuals to appropriate local services and community networks, reducing isolation and increasing access to support.
- Work collaboratively within a supportive team environment, contributing to reflective practice and continuous improvement.
- Facilitate and deliver regular peer support groups, creating a safe, inclusive environment where people affected by dementia can share experiences, build connections, and access tailored information and guidance.
Interviews for this role have been provisionally scheduled to take place via Teams w/c 14th September 2026.
About Alzheimer's Society
Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.
At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.
Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.
Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.
Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.
We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society.
Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
Our hiring process
During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.
We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.
We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.
Giving back to you
Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society.
You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it's like to be an employee at the Society.
Thank you!
The Deputy Director (Operations and Business Development) is a new senior leadership role that will work in close partnership with the Director and Board of Trustees to improve strategic effectiveness and sustainable growth. Created to support the next stage in The Burton's development, this role will translate strategic ambition into practical delivery, ensuring the organisation has the leadership, systems and operational capability needed to achieve its long-term goals.
The Deputy Director will lead organisational planning, internal operations, financial planning and performance, while supporting business development, commercial activity and income growth. They will oversee the systems, processes and infrastructure that enable The Burton to operate effectively, make informed decisions and deliver its ambitions.
Job Details
Job Title: Deputy Director (Operations and Business Development)
Contract: Full time (37.5 hours per week)
Duration: Two-year fixed-term contract. We hope this role will become a permanent part of our senior leadership team, subject to securing sustainable funding. There is a three-month probationary period.
Salary: £45,000 per year
Hours: The Burton works on a 7-day rota and the hours can be worked flexibly over the full week dependent on operational need. Some weekend and evening work will be required on a rota basis.
Location: The Burton at Bideford, EX39 2QQ. Occasional flexible/home-working is offered but the majority of the working week will be at The Burton.
Responsible to: Director
Responsible for: Commercial Operations Manager, Finance Officer, Operations and Front of House Coordinator-day rota and the hours can be worked flexibly over the full week dependent on operational need. Some weekend and evening work will be required on a rota basis.
Person Specification
Potential applicants may already be in a similar role or feel ready to take the next step in developing their careers and contributing to an ambitious organisation at a pivotal moment of its journey. Experience of working within the arts or charity sector may be an advantage to this role but is not a requirement – we are excited to explore transferable skills from other sectors.
You do not need to meet all of the person specification but we are excited to meet candidates with:
- Significant experience in operations, business development and/or a senior leadership role.
- An ability to translate strategy into practical delivery, balancing competing priorities within a small or medium-sized organisation.
- Demonstrable experience contributing to organisational planning, budgeting and performance management.
- Confidence using financial information, budgets and management reporting to support decisions.
- Experience supporting income generation through commercial activity, partnerships, fundraising or business development.
- Experience leading, supporting and developing teams and creating collaborative working cultures.
- An understanding of HR process and experience in policy development.
- Experience as a designated safeguarding lead or a willingness to complete a level three safeguarding training and undergo an enhanced DBS check.
- A track record of improving systems, processes or ways of working to increase organisational effectiveness.
- Strong communication, relationship-building and influencing skills with a range of stakeholders.
- An understanding of governance, risk and compliance within a charity, public or mission-led environment.
- Experience working in museums, galleries, charities, visitor economy, public sector or mission-led organisations.
- An understanding of charity finance, restricted/designated funding, grant reporting and project accounting.
- Part-qualified or qualified finance qualification (for example AAT Level 4, CIMA, ACCA, ACA) or equivalent professional experience with an understanding of cloud-based accounting software (Xero desirable).
We are looking for someone who is:
- Strategic but enjoys making things happen.
- Financially confident and commercially aware.
- Able to build trust and work collaboratively.
- Comfortable moving between strategic thinking and operational delivery.
- Excited to work in a small organisation where responsibilities are varied and interconnected.
Key Dates
Application deadline: 10am, Tuesday 1 September 2026
First interviews: Monday 14 September 2026
Second interviews: Date to be confirmed
How to Apply
Please download the full Recruitment Pack and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form on our website.
The Burton at Bideford is an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer who understands the benefits of diversity so that everyone – irrespective of individual identities, background, or any personal characteristics – receives fair and equal treatment in a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment.
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