Head of Platform - Network & Voice

In this role you'll lead a significant portfolio of services, influence major technology investment decisions and work with senior stakeholders across the business to ensure our connectivity platforms remain secure, reliable and fit for the future. From driving large-scale transformation programmes to managing strategic supplier relationships, including a major partnership with BT, you'll play a key role in enabling digital innovation and delivering great experiences for colleagues and customers alike.

•    Define and lead the strategy, roadmap and operating model for Co-op's network and voice services, including WAN, LAN, Wi-Fi, SD-WAN and telephony platforms
•    Ensure network and voice services provide a reliable, secure and resilient foundation for business operations and digital services
•    Lead and develop a team of Network & Voice specialists, creating a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and technical excellence
•    Ensure teams deliver a busy portfolio of network change including major network technology transformations
•    Own the prioritisation and delivery of both operational and change activity across the Network & Voice domain
•    Manage budgets, commercial performance and total cost of ownership across network and telephony services
•    Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, including oversight of key telecommunications partners
•    Use service performance, operational and cost data to drive decisions, improve service quality and increase value
•    Ensure services remain compliant, resilient and aligned with security, risk and continuity requirements

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:

•    Proven experience leading enterprise-scale network and voice platforms across complex organisations
•    Deep technical knowledge of networking technologies, including WAN, LAN, Wi-Fi, SD-WAN and voice or telephony platforms
•    Experience developing and delivering technology strategies and transformation roadmaps
•    Proven leadership experience managing technical teams and delivering results across operational and change environments
•    Strong commercial and financial management skills, including ownership of large technology budgets and supplier contracts
•    Experience managing strategic third-party suppliers and driving value from key partnerships
•    Good understanding of network security, resilience, operational risk and service continuity requirements
•    Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and build strong relationships across the business

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.

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
•    Company car or £6,000 car allowance
•    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

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.