Network Strategy Manager

St Albans City Station, Station Way, St Albans AL1 5HE, UK

Job Description

Posted Monday 2 March 2026 at 00:00 Expires Monday 16 March 2026 at 23:59

At Costa Coffee, we're on a mission to reimagine coffee experiences across the globe. From bustling cities to local communities, we're creating meaningful coffee moments, powered by innovation and driven by purpose.

As a proud part of the Coca-Cola system and working hand in hand with our pioneering partners, we're in over 50 countries and counting. Whether it's served in-store, from a machine, at home, or on the go, every cup is thoughtfully crafted by our passionate teams who put heart into every moment.

Our teams truly make a difference. Whether it's pioneering new tech for the perfect pour, launching award-winning campaigns, developing exciting new menu items, or supporting our people to grow - together, we stir up success.

We're looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Network Strategy Manager to lead our UK&I network planning strategy shaping where and how we grow through smart, data led decisions on new store openings, relocations, refurbishments, closures and portfolio optimisation. This is a pivotal role within a fantastic Property team, responsible for delivering a compelling location strategy that fuels commercial growth and ensures we have the right stores in the right places at the right time. If you're motivated by turning insight into impact and influencing the future of our estate, this is your opportunity to make a real difference.

We value curiosity, inclusivity, and a problem solving mindset. If you thrive in a fast paced, global environment and are excited to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.

With inspiring experiences, development programmes, and our apprenticeship scheme, your career can grow far beyond the day to day.

What you'll do

Being a Network Strategy Manager is about so much more than bringing our coffee to the world. It's your chance to stir up real success - which means you'll be:

• Defining and delivering the 3+ year UK&I Network Strategy. Creating a clear, prioritised plan for new stores, relocations, refreshes and closures, ensuring the right investment decisions by region.
• Leading data led site and location planning. Owning the evaluation of new stores and relocations, building robust business cases and clear forecasts to support senior decision making.
• Building and prioritising the growth pipeline. Identifying target locations across equity, franchise and partnerships, aligned to long range sales and PBIT goals.
• Optimising portfolio performance. Monitoring market potential, cannibalisation and competitor activity, ensuring capital is deployed into the right formats and locations.
• Enabling delivery through strong internal and external stakeholder leadership. Partnering with regional teams, franchisees and global markets to turn strategy into action and measurable results. As well as managing our external Location Planning team.

Who you are

It's your unique ingredients we're interested in:

• Proven Network Strategy leader. Extensive experience in retail network strategy and location planning within large, multi site businesses, with strong knowledge of estate and property acquisition processes.
• Commercially sharp and insight led. Translating complex data into clear actions, with a track record of optimising portfolios to drive performance and growth.
• Influential and collaborative. Strong people leadership, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, able to operate confidently within a matrix and influence at senior level.
• Strategic, curious and market aware. Able to bring drive, tenacity and a deep understanding of market dynamics and competitor landscapes
• Thrives in fast paced environments. Comfortable navigating complexity and delivering results through partnership and accountability.

So, why Costa?

We didn't become a global coffee brand by sitting back. When you work here, you join a community that values passion, progression, and integrity-with some brilliant perks to sweeten the deal. We work in a hybrid environment, giving us the flexibility to balance life while still spending meaningful time together and building strong connections:

• Own a piece of Costa's success by becoming a share owner in Coca Cola with our Share Investment Plan (SIP)
• An annual discretionary bonus scheme, based on business results and individual contribution.
• A smart pension that saves you money on tax and national insurance, and matches your contributions up to 10%
• The Costa Financial Support Fund, supporting team members who find themselves in unexpected financial pressure
• 50% discount in all Costa owned stores, and 25% off in other participating stores
• Private medical cover thanks to our Private Healthcare scheme

Location - Where you'll work: Hybrid, St Albans

Right now, our Support Centre teams work flexibly, blending home working with in person time whenever it matters most - whether that's a team moment, a creative session, or simply coming together to share ideas.
We're excited to be moving into anew home for our brand in St Albans in January 2027 an inspiring space from which our Support Centre teams will work three days a week to connect and collaborate in person to bring our bold ambition to life

For any reasonable adjustments and general queries, please get in touch with

We believe in living life with heart - and that starts with our people. By showing up as our authentic selves, we create a culture where everyone belongs. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are committed to building an equitable and inclusive environment-one that embraces the unique blend of experiences, identities, and perspectives each person brings. This rich diversity strengthens our teams and reflects the spirit of our global brand.

Grounded in our core values-Disciplined to Deliver, Passion for Progress, Win with Warmth, Courage to Challenge, and Trusted Team Players-we strive to make a meaningful impact in everything we do. From empowering communities through the Costa Foundation to supporting local initiatives, we're committed to changing lives in coffee growing regions and right here at home.

St Albans City Station, Station Way, St Albans AL1 5HE, UK