Head of Member Influence and Democracy

Head of Member Influence and Democracy
£120,000 to £130,000 plus great benefits (Work Level 3)
Manchester city centre (hybrid)

Please note: In line with our internal mobility policy, we’d like to make you aware that a preferred candidate has been identified for this opportunity

We’re looking for a Head of Member Influence and Democracy to sit at the heart of our Co-op’s unique democratic model. You’ll lead a team dedicated to strengthening member-ownership by enabling our members to ‘have their say’ and shape key decisions across our business.

You’ll develop and deliver a modern, strategic approach to member engagement – making sure they always feel heard, valued, and respected. You’ll oversee our democratic processes, including elections, voting, and the AGM, and work closely with our Board, Council, and wider teams to make member insight a more meaningful and visible part of our decision-making. This is a unique opportunity to lead change, influence strategy, and help shape the future of member participation in one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives.

Why this role matters

At Co-op, our members are at the heart of everything we do. This role is key to shaping how our member-owners influence decision-making across our business. By leading democratic engagement and modernising our approach to member influence, you’ll help build trust, belonging, and a deeper sense of ownership among our members.

What you’ll do

• Enable our members to influence decision-making through a ‘Listen, React, Feedback’ loop
• Develop strategic plans to drive member engagement and democratic ownership
• Oversee elections, voting, and democratic processes, providing professional governance, legal and constitutional compliance expertise
• Support business areas across Co-op in seeking and applying member insight to deliver meaningful outcomes
• Communicate how member input has shaped decisions and created value
• Advise on governance structures and recommend updates to policies and processes
• Collaborate across the General Counsel leadership team and wider business to deliver the ownership and engagement strategy
• Manage budgets and risk, and lead your team effectively, supporting them in their development

What you’ll bring

• Practical experience and professional expertise in delivering effective and compliant elections, voting, and democratic processes and services
• Significant experience in a member-owned organisation, engaging with colleagues at senior and Board level
• Proven leadership across large, complex teams, and the ability to engage others
• Great relationship-building and collaboration skills, and the ability to challenge and influence inclusively
• Strategic planning skills, and the ability to adapt to varied business needs

Why Co-op?

At Co-op, we’re owned by our members. And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement. We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:

• A company car or £8,000 car allowance
• Private healthcare
• An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays 
• A pension with up to 10% employer contributions 
• Access to a subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ) 
• 30% discount on Co-op products and 10% off other brands 
• Stream – early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it 
• Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice 
• 24/7 colleague support service 
• Training and support for your development and career progression
• Cycle-to-work scheme

A place you’ll belong

We’re building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone, and our support centre is an inclusive environment where all our colleagues can thrive.

If you have a disability, we’ll make reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process. We’re also proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme - if you’re disabled and you meet the minimum criteria for this job, we’ll guarantee you an interview.

Learn more about our recruitment process at https://jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process

Explore our commitments to diversity, inclusion and wellbeing at https://jobs.coop.co.uk/diversity-inclusion-wellbeing

As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes up to 50 minutes. If you're a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.