Head of Enterprise Portfolio Enablement & Planning in Manchester

Up to £105,000 plus private healthcare, company car or car allowance and more great benefits (Work Level 4). Manchester city centre - in this role you’ll work in a hybrid way splitting your time between home and the office once a week. We’re open to applications from people who may require flexible working arrangements. There’ll be an opportunity to discuss your flexible working requirements during the interview process, and at offer stage.

We’re reshaping our Digital, Technology and Data function for the future, creating new opportunities, strengthening our capability, and building clearer, more resilient ways of working so we can deliver even better services for our Co-op, our colleagues, members and customers. You'll bring together business units, value streams, strategy, finance, architecture and delivery planning to create a clear and achievable view across a portfolio of products, projects and programmes. Working in a complex digital and product environment, you'll partner with senior leaders to shape priorities, identify risks early and enable confident decision-making, while leading a team of portfolio specialists who help teams deliver successful outcomes.

Why this role matters

This is a unique opportunity to shape how Co-op plans, funds and delivers change across a diverse portfolio of products, projects and programmes. You'll work closely with senior leaders across the business to influence priorities, investment decisions and delivery plans, helping ensure people are focused on the outcomes that matter most. It's a role where you'll combine strategic thinking, leadership and collaboration to make a real difference, improving visibility, enabling better decisions and helping teams achieve more together.

What you’ll do

• Lead the integrated planning process, bringing together teams across the different business units, value streams, strategy, finance, architecture and delivery to develop joined-up plans.
• Create the structures, rhythms and ways of working that support effective portfolio planning and decision-making.
• Build and maintain a clear view of portfolio performance across products, projects and programmes, using data and insight to support decision-making and delivery confidence.
• Enable the early identification and resolution of risks, dependencies, issues and constraints across portfolios.
• Facilitate discussions on priorities, funding, sequencing and trade-offs, helping leaders balance product and project investments effectively.
• Set and maintain proportionate planning and tracking standards that support consistency without creating unnecessary complexity.
• Lead and develop a team of Planning and Portfolio Managers and Analysts, building capability across portfolio management and planning.
• Partner with business unit leaders and value streams to help them manage their portfolios, track performance and make evidence-based decisions.
• Continuously improve the portfolio enablement service, using feedback and insight to ensure it meets the needs of the business.

What you’ll bring

• Significant experience leading portfolio planning or portfolio management within a complex digital, technology or product-led environment.
• A good understanding of how product delivery differs from traditional project and programme delivery.
• Proven ability to bring together senior stakeholders from different disciplines and build alignment around shared goals.
• Experience translating strategy, priorities and investment decisions into realistic, deliverable plans.
• Strong judgement and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complexity and balance competing priorities.
• The ability to turn data and portfolio information into meaningful insight that supports decision-making and drives continuous improvement.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams and developing a culture in which they can thrive.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and influence at senior levels.
• Experience managing or enabling product portfolios, and developing structures, rhythms and ways of working.

We know some people may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every requirement. At Co-op, we’re committed to building diverse and inclusive teams, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we still encourage you to apply.

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 £6,000 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 and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work. We’re proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll support you.