At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial governance and support agile Product Teams for growth.
- Company: Join Co-op, a member-owned organisation focused on community and purpose.
- Benefits: Up to £80,000 salary, annual bonus, 28 days holiday, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance in an innovative environment with real impact.
- Qualifications: Accountancy qualification and experience in agile environments required.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
Senior Finance Manager – Digital Up to £80,000 plus excellent benefits including a company car or a £6,000 car allowance (Work Level 4) 12-month fixed-term contract Manchester City Centre - in this role you’ll be working in a hybrid way splitting your time between home and coming into the office at least two days a week including a Wednesday (find out more about our hybrid working policy at
We’re looking a Finance Manager to join our Product Team here at Co-op.
You’ll work across Finance, Strategy, Performance and Assurance (SPA) and our Product Teams, using your financial expertise and experience of agile ways of working to help shape how our Product Team model develops.
It’s an opportunity to build strong relationships across the business and help create a consistent approach that supports our future growth.
Why this job matters We’re preparing to grow from two test-and-learn Product Teams to up to nine.
Our first two teams have helped us understand what works and where we need to strengthen our approach before we grow further.
You’ll help make that happen by bringing Finance, SPA and Product colleagues together, identifying and closing readiness gaps before teams launch, and making sure our financial, asset and audit controls remain effective as the model grows.
- What you’ll do
- Develop a consistent and repeatable approach for mobilising and growing Product Teams
- Bring Finance and SPA together, making sure financial controls and delivery readiness are considered throughout mobilisation
- Track readiness for new Product Teams, identifying gaps and escalating risks
- Lead financial governance across cost allocation, capitalisation, asset accounting and reporting
- Improve the quality of financial data and audit evidence, making sure there’s a clear and reliable audit trail
- Maintain effective financial, asset and audit controls as the number of Product Teams grows
- Support the handover of finance ownership from the Product Team Technology Hub FBP to the relevant Business FBP once business cases are approved
- Work closely with Finance Business Partners, Product Leads and Delivery Managers, providing support and challenge while maintaining clear accountability What you’ll bring We’re committed to making our roles as accessible as possible, so we only ask for the minimum criteria.
To thrive here, you’ll need to bring
- A recognised accountancy qualification or equivalent experience, and product trained
- Experience of working in an agile environment or alongside agile Product Teams
- Strong financial and commercial understanding, with experience of maintaining effective financial controls
- Great relationship-building and communication skills, with the confidence to bring different teams together and constructively challenge where needed
- An organised and adaptable approach, with the ability to identify risks, solve problems and keep work moving in a changing environment 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:
- 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
- Private healthcare
- 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.
Learn more about our recruitment process at jobs. coop. co. uk/apply-process and our inclusion commitments at jobs. coop. co. uk/diversity-inclusion
Please note that we may close applications for this role early.
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.
Senior Finance Manager - Digital in Manchester employer: Co-op
Co-op is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly for the Senior Power Platform & Automation Engineer role. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have opportunities to mentor colleagues and lead digital transformation initiatives while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model in Manchester. The company values your contributions and offers a supportive environment where you can thrive and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Manager - Digital in Manchester
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Co-op.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Co-op might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Manager - Digital in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Co-op will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Co-op. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Co-op confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Co-op
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Co-op.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Co-op that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
