Co-operative Development Worker

Role Purpose

This is a practical, people-facing role which will support the development of co‑operatives and community-owned businesses by providing advice, training, and resources to help them start, grow, and flourish. You'll work closely with workers, communities and networks at a local and national level, to promote the co‑operative model; contribute to research and policy work; and identify new opportunities for consultancy.

Co-operative Futures is looking for someone who enjoys working with people, has a passion for co-operative values and community-led approaches. It's a varied consultancy role, which is mostly home-based but with opportunities to get out and about from meeting a co-op member over a coffee for business coaching to presenting at a national conference.

The role would be suited to someone who would appreciate the freedom to develop new initiatives, manage their own projects, and work collaboratively as part of a small, supportive team.

About Co-operative Futures

Co-operative Futures was established in 2000 and is a business consultancy specialising in co-operative, mutual and community-owned enterprises. They provide business support, for start-ups and existing organisations including worker co-ops, consumer co-ops, housing co-ops, and community co-ops. They work in a wide range of sectors, including retail, leisure, housing and care and have supported all sorts of businesses, including an independent cinema and a service station.

They particularly specialise in place-based work and supporting groups of workers or community members to identify and take control of local knowledge, assets, and services. They also support and promote co-operative and community business models, through workshops, policy work with the public sector, and campaigning. They are a company limited by guarantee and we are committed to the co-operative values and principles, particularly the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.

Key Details

• Salary: £31k – £36k pro rata (depending on experience)
• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Full-time permanent
• Location: Home-based
• Deadline: Midnight 23 August 2026
• Right to work: Candidates must already hold the legal right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship not available)

Location Coverage

The role will work across the Co-operative Futures core operating areas of the wider West Midlands region, Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Benefits

• Supportive working culture
• Generous annual leave and pension contributions
• WFH allowance
• Flexible working and time off in lieu policy
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Opportunity to build a long-term career in the co-operative sector

How to Apply

Please check the job description and more info: futures.coop/job-vacancies/

Fill in our online application form here.

Deadline: The deadline for applications is Midnight on Sunday 23rd of August.

Shortlisting: You will be notified if invited to an interview by Tuesday 25th.

Interviews: The interviews will take place at The Warehouse in Birmingham on Thursday the 10th of September. We will be asking candidates to prepare a short exercise for the interview.

Please note: We are interviewing in Birmingham because it is easily accessible by transport from all areas of the Co-operative Futures core operating areas.

Co-operative Futures do not accept applications from recruitment agencies.

If you'd like to discuss the role or have any questions about the application process, please contact us on recruitment@futures.coop and we will respond or arrange a phone call.