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Co-operatives UK – owned by our members

View the latest roles being advertised at Co-operatives UK.

We put our people at the heart of everything we do. Fuelled by the passion of the co-op values, principles and culture, we are thriving. Our 150 year legacy drives innovation and collaboration.

We believe that creativity and freedom build a culture that is founded on trust. We work hard to ensure that we can all work effectively and co-operatively.​ We support each other, taking time to listen so that we can bring the best version of ourselves to work.​

At Co-operatives UK we are a mindful, inclusive and equal opportunities employer. As an organisation that is owned and controlled by its members, we put our people at the forefront of all that we do. Work with us and discover that co-operatives offer a better way of doing business.​

We offer:

  • Flexible working options
  • Pension scheme 
  • Discounted travel to work schemes
  • Employee wellbeing assistance programme including free eye tests
  • Personal and professional growth and development, including coaching 
  • Trade union

Our aim is to become a truly inclusive organisation with a workforce as diverse as the co-ops we serve.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we treat all job applicants equally, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or any other equality characteristic.

We particularly encourage applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, and applications from LGBTQ+ and non-binary candidates as they are under-represented within our organisation and sector.

We are members of Mindful Employers, Living Wage Employers and a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to improving employment opportunities for ethnic minorities across the UK.

At Co-operatives UK we are a mindful, inclusive, and equal opportunities employer. As an organisation that is owned and controlled by its members, we put our people at the forefront of all that we do. We offer: 

  • Flexible working options 
  • Pension scheme  
  • Discounted travel to work schemes 
  • Employee wellbeing assistance programme including free eye tests 
  • Personal and professional growth and development, including coaching  
  • Trade union 

Current vacancies

1. Programme Manager – Our Business

  • Contract: Fixed-term contract until 31 March 2025
  • Hours: Part time, 21 hours per week
  • Salary: £46,173 (pro rata – £27,704)
  • Location: Holyoake House, Manchester 
  • Application deadline: Midnight, 17 March 2024
  • Interviews: Week commencing 18 March, Manchester

Our Business

Our Business will be a platform (website and mobile responsive app) in which inclusively owned businesses, including as examples; social enterprises, co-ops, CICs, community businesses and family businesses can start and grow their business, access training and support and connect with other inclusively owned businesses. In addition, the platform will promote the products and services of these businesses to encourage businesses and public bodies to purchase their services and create community wealth building in Greater Manchester. 

Our Business will be a consortium co-op, housed within Co-operatives UK during initial set up and development. Membership of the consortium co-op will be open, inclusive and accessible. Co-operatives UK will lead the delivery and governance of the project, utilising the model constitution of an ‘unincorporated co-op' for ownership and delivery. At the end of the initial 13-month period, we anticipate that Our Business will separate from Co-operatives UK and become sustainable in its own right.  

Our Business co-op will have three member types: 

  1. Inclusive businesses in Greater Manchester.  
  2. Public bodies and anchor institutions in Greater Manchester  
  3. Associate members including national representative bodies that have an interest in supporting the Social Economy in Greater Manchester 

Co-operatives UK has been tasked by GMCA to deliver the first phase of the Our Business project and that’s where you come in. We are looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead this important and exciting project.

Skills Required

  • Project management: Strong project management skills to oversee the delivery of the online platform and manage the triage and community process effectively and ensuring all commitments and reporting to GMCA are delivered on time and on budget.
  • Technical understanding: A basic understanding of technology, especially in managing ‘Hivebrite’ online platforms, to collaborate efficiently with the Tech Lead and ensure technical requirements align with project goals.
  • Communication: Excellent communication skills to liaise with the contract manager and relevant teams at GMCA, working with the Tech Manager, line management of Digital & Community Manager, and other stakeholders including being the point of contact for 10GM. This includes conveying technical details in a clear and understandable manner. 
  • Strategic thinking: Ability to align the project with broader objectives, such as UKSPF targets, and develop strategies for effective delivery. 
  • Collaboration: Strong collaborative skills to work closely with the Tech Manager, Digital & Community Manager, and other team members, fostering a cohesive working environment. 
  • Problem-solving: The capability to address challenges that may arise during the project and find effective solutions, ensuring the project stays on track. 
  • Leadership: Leadership qualities to guide the team, make decisions, and ensure everyone is aligned with the project’s objectives. 
  • Adaptability: Given the complexity of the GM social ecosystem, adaptability to changing circumstances and the ability to adjust strategies accordingly. 
  • Stakeholder management: Effectively manage relationships with stakeholders, including GMCA and the social economy sector, to ensure their needs are considered and met. 
  • Marketing and communication: Understanding of marketing principles to support the CEO in the platform’s marketing and communication strategies to align with the project’s deliverables. 

How to apply

Application deadline: Midnight, 17 March

Interviews: Week commencing 18 March, Manchester

Start application for Programme Manager – One Business

2. Executive Support Officer 

  • Contract: Permanent
  • Hours: Part time, 2-3 days per week subject to your availability
  • Salary: £25,454 (pro rata to 2 days - £10,181.60;  3 days - £15,272.40)
  • Location: Holyoake House, Manchester 
  • Application deadline: Midnight, 10 April 2024
  • Interviews: Week commencing 22 April 2024, in Manchester

We are delighted to share this new and exciting opportunity for an Executive Support Officer to join our dynamic organisation. 

As the voice of the UK’s co-operative movement, we empower and support co-operative enterprise with specialised knowledge and expertise, to grow the co-operative economy and create a fairer society. From football clubs and farms to convenience stores and pubs, there are more than 7,000 co-operatives in the UK, each owned and controlled by their members and based on a set of shared principles and values. By promoting shared wealth through member ownership, we are committed to enable anyone in the UK to form, or join, thriving and sustainable co-ops.

As Executive Support Officer, you will provide executive support in a one-on-one working relationship, undertake a variety of special projects for the CEO, working independently from conception to completion. 

As an organisation we are led by our unwavering values of solidarity, self-responsibility, equity, and honesty, therefore if you share these core values, we would be delighted to receive your application.

Core responsibilities

We invite all interested parties to learn more about the role and our organisation within the recruitment pack, which can be downloaded from the recruitment documents section. 

  • Undertake a variety of special projects for the CEO, some of which may have organisational impact.
  • Independently gather research for the CEO and translate the findings into completed written and visual reports.
  • Undertake data analysis where needed. 
  • Lead on the end-to-end project management of projects from the CEO.
  • Present findings, data and reports to key stakeholders as needed to gain organisational backing to pursue funding and strategic opportunities.
  • Edit and prepare Board papers and presentations for the CEO in advance of Board meetings and working groups.
  • Provide detailed briefs for the CEO in advance of key meetings and events. 
  • Maintain a high degree of confidentiality regarding issues concerning members of staff and all stakeholders, and those of organisational and strategic importance. 
  • Organise workload and prioritise daily using own initiative and knowledge of the work with minimum supervision from the CEO. 
  • Anticipate the CEO’s needs and exercise judgement based on those needs understanding the politics of a situation and understanding how the organisation functions.
  • Ensure the timely preparation and delivery of all briefing information and preparing papers and presentations required by the CEO.
  • When required, take accurate notes of meetings, ensuring that matters arising are dealt with by the appropriate person within agreed timescales. 
  • To undertake other appropriate duties and responsibilities as required from time to time.

Essential skills:

  • Administration experience 
  • The ability to proactively manage and coordinate conflicting priorities, work independently, and meet deadlines 
  • Handling sensitive situations, recognising confidential issues and dealing with them appropriately
  • Attention to detail, good organisational and administrative skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to prepare clear correspondence, minutes, reports and briefing papers
  • Highly developed IT skills with the ability to use a variety of computer systems, and proficient in Microsoft Office applications 

How to apply

Application deadline: Midnight, 10 April 2024

Interviews: Week commencing 22 April 2024, in Manchester

Start application for Executive Support Officer

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