Job Description

Senior Security Architect – Platforms

£70,000 - £76,000 plus private healthcare, pension with up to 10% employer contributions and more great benefits (Work Level 5)

Manchester city centre - in this role you’ll work in a hybrid way splitting your time between home and the office when required for workshops, team meetings and events (find out more about our hybrid working policy at https://jobs.coop.co.uk/hybrid-working-policy).

We’re open to applications from people who may require flexible working arrangements. There’ll be an opportunity to discuss your flexible working requirements during the interview process, and at offer stage.

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.

We're looking for a Senior Security Architect to join our Security Architecture team and help us build secure technology solutions that protect our colleagues, members, customers and business. In this role, you'll work across a wide range of programmes, projects and technology initiatives, providing expert guidance on security architecture and design. You'll review solutions from the earliest stages, identify risks, recommend controls, and help teams make informed security decisions. Working closely with colleagues across Architecture, Cyber Security, Engineering and Product teams, you'll play a key role in embedding security into everything we do.

Why this role matters

As Co-op continues to evolve its technology landscape, security needs to be considered from the very beginning of every solution, not added as an afterthought. That's where this role comes in. You'll help shape and strengthen a growing security architecture function, influencing decisions across the organisation and helping teams deliver secure, resilient and trusted technology. It's an opportunity to make a visible impact, work across a diverse range of technologies and stakeholders, and help establish the standards, patterns and practices that will support Co-op's future.

What you’ll do

• Review technology solutions, architectures and designs to identify security risks and recommend appropriate controls
• Provide security guidance and assurance throughout the lifecycle of projects, products and technology initiatives
• Partner with architects, engineers, product teams and business stakeholders to embed security-by-design principles into decision-making
• Develop and promote security standards, patterns and best practices across the organisation
• Assess emerging technologies and security risks, ensuring solutions remain secure, resilient and fit for purpose
• Support architecture governance processes, providing expert input on security considerations and risk mitigation
• Build strong relationships with internal teams and third-party suppliers, acting as a trusted security advisor
• Keep up to date with cyber security trends, threats and industry developments to help drive continuous improvement

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:

• Significant experience in cyber security, security architecture, security engineering or a related technical discipline
• Strong knowledge across areas such as cloud, networks, infrastructure and secure solution design
• Experience reviewing technical designs and providing security assurance, recommendations and risk-based guidance
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex technical challenges and identify practical solutions
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge constructively at all levels
• Experience working within complex technology environments, collaborating with multiple teams to deliver secure outcomes

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.

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