Head of Performance and Planning

We’re excited to be recruiting for the role of Head of Performance & Planning. This brand new opportunity will be key in providing strategic counsel and operational support to the CEO of The Co-operative Bank and the Chief Commercial Officer of the Coventry Building Society Group. It will be at the centre of shaping the future of both institutions - coordinating large-scale transformation efforts, aligning strategic priorities, and fostering cross-organisational collaboration.

The role holder will facilitate the creation of a high –impact, dynamic environment across the Bank and the Group Commercial Office and play a key role in driving significant change through both local and Group-wide transformation activities. It plays a critical role in driving continuous improvement to help business leaders achieve the right customer and commercial outcomes ensuring alignment with the Strategic plan. 

It will provide the Bank CEO and Group CCO with a broad outlook on all aspects of the Bank and Group, making necessary information available and providing new perspectives to enable effective decision-making. Provide thought leadership, guidance and insight to shape projects which deliver the Bank CEO and Group CCO’s key priorities, supporting strategic projects and contributing to shaping the long-term strategic plan.

Collaborating with a range of stakeholders across both organisations, as well as with 3rd party stakeholders and regulatory bodies will also be key parts of the role.

The role will operate as a dual location role, working from both Manchester and our Head Office campus in Binley, Coventry. A team-led hybrid working arrangement is in place.

To be successful you’ll already have experience in a senior-level operations or strategic advisory role. You’ll be a role model – emotionally intelligent, inspires commitment and empowers people to deliver.

To be successful in this role it’s essential you have:

• Proven leadership experience in a senior management role
• Extensive experience of influencing across organisations at varying levels
• Experience in strategic advisory capacity from either financial services or similar regulated environment
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and adept at managing relationships, securing stakeholder buy-in, and driving alignment across diverse teams
• Demonstrable expertise in producing high-level executive outputs (e.g., briefing notes, PowerPoint presentations, verbal updates)
• Strong analytical, organisational, and communication skills, capable of translating complex challenges into actionable insights.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment with multiple high-priority demands
• Ability to anticipate future challenges / opportunities and shaping long-term strategies
• Adept at managing relationships, securing stakeholder buy-in, and driving alignment across diverse teams

Desirable experience will be:

• Financial services background
• Knowledge of banking regulations and risk management practices
• Skilled at navigating shifting priorities and evolving market conditions in a dual organisational setting.

We’re one of the largest building societies in the UK and we share a mutual goal across our branches and our offices to improve the lives of others.

We’re officially recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work’ and our benefits go beyond basic pay, with a discretionary bonus scheme, a culture of reward and recognition and comprehensive support for wellbeing.

At the beginning of the year, The Co-operative Bank officially became part of our Group. Together, we have shared values and an ethical approach towards our members, customers, and colleagues.

We’re serious about equality, of race, age, faith, disability, and sexual orientation and we celebrate diversity. By working together, we know you’ll build more than just a career with us.

All together, better.

Flexibility and why it matters

We understand the need for flexibility, so wherever possible, we’ll consider alternative working patterns. Have a chat with us before you apply to see what the possibilities are for this role. 

Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer

We’re proud to offer an interview or assessment to every disabled applicant who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As part of the application process, disabled applicants can opt in for the Disability Confident Interview Scheme. If there are ever occasions where it is not practicable to interview all candidates that meet the essential criteria, such as when we receive a high number of applications, we commit to interviewing disabled candidates who best meet the minimum essential and desirable criteria.