At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape global design standards and ensure inspiring coffee experiences across all markets.
- Company: Join Costa Coffee, a brand on a mission to reimagine coffee experiences worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive bonuses, pension matching, and generous discounts.
- Other info: Collaborate globally while enjoying excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by translating creative concepts into practical, scalable solutions.
- Qualifications: Strong expertise in F&B or retail design with a strategic mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
At Costa Coffee, we’re on a mission to reimagine coffee experiences worldwide and you will help shape how our brand comes to life across all markets. In this role you will own and embed the global design standards, frameworks and toolkits that ensure every new format and proposition is inspiring, executable at scale and aligned with our commercial strategy.
What you’ll do
- Develop global design standards: Own the creation and governance of Costa’s global design standards, playbooks and store toolkits, ensuring clear, consistent and scalable guidance across all markets.
- Translate design into delivery: Turn creative concepts into practical, buildable solutions by partnering with design, property and construction teams, reviewing technical outputs and signing off prototypes that support quality delivery.
- Balance global consistency with local relevance: Collaborate with regional teams and partners to adapt standards for local regulations, cultural nuances and market needs while maintaining strong brand guardrails.
- Drive design governance: Establish design review processes, approval frameworks and compliance checks to support efficient, high‑quality delivery.
- Support cost efficiency and value engineering: Work with procurement, construction and delivery teams to optimise materials, specifications and costs, ensuring durable, commercially viable designs aligned to brand standards.
- Sign off specifications and standards: Collaborate with procurement and regional teams to sign off prototypes and specifications in line with local regulations and market needs.
Who you are
- Deep technical and commercial expertise: Strong knowledge of F&B, hospitality or retail store design, including technical drawings, construction details, material specifications, and cost structures with a solid understanding of CAPEX, FF&E and value engineering principles.
- Strategic thinker with strong delivery focus: Able to translate design vision and propositions into clear, practical standards and toolkits that are commercially viable and operationally effective.
- Global mindset and stakeholder influence: Proven ability to work across multiple markets, influencing and aligning diverse cross‑functional teams and external partners.
- Strong governance and problem‑solving skills: Experienced in establishing design governance, navigating global and regional guidelines and compliance while balancing brand, cost, operations and customer expectations.
- Proven track record in design standards and rollout: Demonstrated success in creating and managing global design standards or playbooks, ideally within multi‑site equity or franchise environments, with exposure to end‑to‑end delivery and cost optimisation.
- Specification specialist: Strong knowledge of build materials and their performance across regions, with exceptional attention to detail when reviewing prototypes, samples and specifications based on global standards.
Benefits
- Hybrid working – 3 days per week at Loudwater Innovation Centre.
- Annual discretionary bonus scheme based on business results and individual contribution.
- Smart pension with up to 10% employer match.
- Costa Financial Support Fund for unexpected financial pressure.
- Discounts: 50% off in all Costa‑owned stores, 25% off in participating stores.
- Private medical cover through our Private Healthcare scheme.
Location
Hybrid – based at Loudwater Innovation Centre, with the option to work remotely at other times.
Proposition and Design Standardisation Manager employer: Costa Coffee
At Costa Coffee, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our Loudwater Innovation Centre provides a hybrid working environment, allowing for flexibility while ensuring our team members are supported through comprehensive benefits such as a generous pension scheme, private medical cover, and discounts at our stores. We are committed to employee growth, providing opportunities to influence global design standards and contribute to meaningful projects that shape coffee experiences worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Proposition and Design Standardisation Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at Costa Coffee or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your experience with design standards and project delivery. Make it visually appealing and easy to navigate, so potential employers can see your expertise at a glance.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Costa Coffee’s brand and design philosophy. Be ready to discuss how your background aligns with their mission to reimagine coffee experiences and how you can contribute to their global design standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Costa Coffee team.
We think you need these skills to ace Proposition and Design Standardisation Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Design:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for design shine through! We want to see how much you care about creating inspiring coffee experiences and how you can bring that passion to Costa Coffee.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in F&B, hospitality, or retail store design. We love details, so share specific examples of how you've developed design standards or managed projects that align with commercial strategies.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We appreciate when candidates show they understand what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining the Costa Coffee team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Costa Coffee
✨Know Your Design Standards
Before the interview, dive deep into Costa Coffee's design standards and frameworks. Familiarise yourself with their global approach and think about how you can contribute to maintaining consistency while adapting to local markets. This will show your commitment and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of F&B, hospitality, or retail store design. Bring examples of past projects where you've successfully managed design standards or specifications. Highlight your experience with technical drawings and cost structures to demonstrate your commercial acumen.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Think about how you can translate creative concepts into practical solutions. During the interview, share specific instances where you've balanced global consistency with local relevance. This will illustrate your ability to think strategically while being operationally effective.
✨Prepare for Governance Questions
Expect questions about design governance and compliance. Be ready to discuss how you've established review processes and approval frameworks in previous roles. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and your ability to navigate complex guidelines while ensuring high-quality delivery.
