Member Democracy Specialist

Co-op; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

28 days holiday

Pension contributions

Onsite gym (Manchester HQ)

Discounts on Co-op products

Stream pay access

Virtual healthcare

Support service

Training & development

Cycle-to-work

Job summary

Co-op is seeking a Member Democracy Specialist to drive participation and influence for 7.5 million member-owners. You will oversee elections and polls, coordinate candidate communications, and collaborate with external suppliers to deliver accurate results with high standards.

The role offers hybrid working in Manchester, with home and office days, evening/weekend flexibility, and a strong focus on strengthening democratic engagement and member connections within the cooperative movement.

Qualifications

• Experience of running elections end-to-end with a 'voter first' approach.
• Previous experience of working with elective representatives and external suppliers.
• A passion for continuous improvement and driving new ways to deliver democratic processes.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and a keen eye for detail.
• A talent for building positive relationships with a wide variety of people up to senior level.

Responsibilities

• Oversee our formal and informal democratic processes, including Board and Council elections, motions and polls, creating an accessible and engaging experience for member-owners.
• Develop and deliver plans that increase member participation and support year-round democratic engagement opportunities.
• Co-ordinate outreach to prospective election candidates and lead candidate communications, providing professional guidance and support throughout the process.
• Work to increase engagement and turnout across elections, polls and wider democratic activity, using insight and feedback to continuously improve the member experience.
• Make sure election and poll results are delivered accurately, on time, and to the highest standards of administration, in line with Co-op Group rules and FCA guidance.
• Manage relationships with external suppliers, ensuring democratic activities are delivered to the right standard, on budget and to agreed timescales.
• Continuously identify new ways to involve member-owners in democratic processes and engage a broader and more diverse range of members.
• Support the effective functioning of local democracy, helping Council Members build meaningful connections with the members they represent.

Skills

Election management

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Communication skills

Relationship building

Job description

Member Democracy Specialist

£45,000 to £48,000 plus excellent benefits (Work level 6A)

Manchester city centre – in this role you’ll work in a hybrid way splitting your time between home and coming into the office at least twice a week, with occasional evening and weekend work (find out more about our hybrid working policy at jobs.coop.co.uk/hybrid-working-policy).

We’re looking for a Member Democracy Specialist to join our Member Influence and Democracy team. At Co-op, our 7.5 million member-owners are at the heart of everything we do. In this role, you’ll help create meaningful opportunities for members to engage with and influence their Co-op, building strong connections between member-owners and their elected representatives and encouraging participation in the decisions that shape our business.

Why this job matters

Our member-owned difference is what makes Co-op unique. You'll play an important role in helping member-owners feel informed, involved, and empowered to have their say. From increasing participation in elections and polls to creating engaging opportunities for members to connect with representatives and share their views, you'll help ensure more voices are heard across our Co-op. By working with teams across the business to continuously improve the member experience, you'll help strengthen our democratic culture and make it easier for member-owners to shape the future of Co-op. If you're looking for the next step in your career, you'll have the opportunity to develop in this role.

What you’ll do

• Oversee our formal and informal democratic processes, including Board and Council elections, motions and polls, creating an accessible and engaging experience for member-owners
• Develop and deliver plans that increase member participation and support year-round democratic engagement opportunities
• Co-ordinate outreach to prospective election candidates and lead candidate communications, providing professional guidance and support throughout the process
• Work to increase engagement and turnout across elections, polls and wider democratic activity, using insight and feedback to continuously improve the member experience
• Make sure election and poll results are delivered accurately, on time, and to the highest standards of administration, in line with Co-op Group rules and FCA guidance
• Manage relationships with external suppliers, ensuring democratic activities are delivered to the right standard, on budget and to agreed timescales
• Continuously identify new ways to involve member-owners in democratic processes and engage a broader and more diverse range of members
• Support the effective functioning of local democracy, helping Council Members build meaningful connections with the members they represent

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:

• Experience of running elections end-to-end with a 'voter first' approach
• Previous experience of working with elective representatives and external suppliers
• A passion for continuous improvement and driving new ways to deliver democratic processes
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and a keen eye for detail
• A talent for building positive relationships with a wide variety of people up to senior level

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
• 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