Principal Solution Architect & Practice Manager

Principal Solution Architect & Practice Manager
80,000 to 90,000 plus great benefits (Work level
4) Hybrid working, splitting your time between home and coming into our Manchester city centre office once or twice a month

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.

At Co-op, technology helps us deliver better experiences for our colleagues, members and customers. We're looking for a Principal Solution Architect & Practice Manager to combine strategic architecture leadership with people leadership, shaping technology solutions that deliver real business value while supporting and developing a team of talented Solution Architects.

This is an opportunity to influence how technology enables our future business strategy while helping others grow and succeed. You’ll work closely with our Value Stream Leadership teams and the other Solution Architecture Practice Managers to bringing people together, share expertise and fostering a collaborative architecture community, you'll help make sure we deliver high-quality solutions and build a strong, engaged team for the future.

What you'll doOwn end-to-end solution architecture for key initiatives, ensuring designs align with business goals, enterprise architecture and technology strategy

Define and maintain solution roadmaps that support long-term business priorities and technology direction

Lead architectural decision-making, balancing standard capabilities, configuration options and bespoke solutions where appropriate

Support the delivery of scalable, resilient, secure and well-integrated solutions across the wider technology landscape

Act as a senior architectural leader, providing guidance on complex designs, technical trade-offs and delivery challenges

Lead, coach and develop a team of Solution Architects, supporting their growth, performance and career development

Work with our other Practice Managers to build a strong architecture community that encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Drive quality across solution designs, ensuring alignment with architecture standards, governance requirements and best practice

Manage the deployment of Solution Architects across change initiatives, matching skills and experience to business needs

Build trusted relationships with engineering teams, value stream delivery colleagues, vendors and external partners

What you'll bring

Significant experience as a Solution Architect, with a strong track record of designing and delivering complex solutions within retail or similarly complex environments

Strong architectural judgement, with the ability to balance business needs, operational requirements and technical considerations to achieve the best outcomesA passion for people leadership, with experience coaching, mentoring and developing others while creating an inclusive and supportive team environment

Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, practical guidance for a range of audiencesA collaborative mindset, with a focus on building strong relationships, sharing knowledge and bringing people together to achieve shared goals

The ability to foster innovation and continuous improvement, helping both people and technology capabilities evolve and succeed

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…