Principal Enterprise Architect

We’re looking for a Principal Enterprise Architect to join our Enterprise Architecture team and help us shape the future of technology across our Co-op. In this role, you’ll take an enterprise-wide view of change, helping us connect business strategy, technology investment and transformation activity across the organisation. You’ll work with senior leaders to develop architecture strategy, influence major technology decisions and ensure we’re delivering change that creates real value for our colleagues, members and customers.

Why this role matters

We’re at an exciting point in our journey. As our organisation continues to evolve, we’re strengthening how we make technology decisions, govern change and deliver value through product-led ways of working. This is a rare opportunity to help shape how enterprise architecture operates at Co-op, influencing everything from strategic roadmaps and technology standards to governance frameworks and future ways of working. If you’re passionate about connecting business goals with technology strategy and enjoy building approaches that enable organisations to thrive, here you’ll have the freedom and support to make a lasting impact.

What you’ll do

• Develop and maintain enterprise architecture strategies, target states and roadmaps that align technology investment and transformation activity to our business priorities

• Set and evolve enterprise architecture principles, standards, governance frameworks and guardrails that enable effective decision-making across business, data, application and technology architecture

• Partner with Product Line Architects and Engineering teams to shape target architectures, technology roadmaps and strategic technology decisions, ensuring architecture enables delivery through platforms, practices and code

• Provide guidance and assurance on major technology decisions, helping teams make informed choices that align with our wider strategy and long-term goals

• Build strong relationships with senior business and technology leaders to understand future needs and translate them into technology outcomes

• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise and rationalise technology platforms across the organisation, driving efficiency, resilience and long-term value

• Lead enterprise-wide analysis of emerging technologies, industry trends and market developments to identify opportunities, risks and innovation potential

• Coach, mentor and support architects across the organisation, helping to develop capability, share best practice and ensure transformation delivers measurable business value

• Significant experience operating in an Enterprise Architecture role within a large, complex organisation, with a track record of shaping technology strategy and enterprise-wide change

• Strong strategic, analytical and architectural thinking skills, with the ability to evaluate complex business and technology challenges, connect related initiatives and make pragmatic recommendations that balance competing priorities

• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills, with experience building alignment and driving informed decision-making across senior business and technology leaders without direct authority

• Strong commercial awareness and judgement, with the ability to balance business value, cost, risk and operational considerations when shaping technology decisions and investment priorities

• Leadership skills, with experience of coaching, mentoring and developing others through structured development frameworks, while creating an inclusive and supportive team environment.

• Experience developing enterprise architecture governance, standards, frameworks and assurance processes, ideally within organisations adopting product-based ways of working

• Experience applying recognised Enterprise Architecture frameworks such as TOGAF or equivalent practical experience

£80,000 - £90,000 plus private healthcare, company car or car allowance and more great benefits (Work Level 4), 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

• A company car or £6,000 car allowance

• 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.