Strategy Analyst

We design the places where people love to be together — and we can’t do it without you.

Populous is all about people — it’s in our name. Attracting and retaining talented people who are passionate about their work is what makes us thrive. As a global firm, we have established roots in cities across the world, uncovering the very best local talent. The diversity of our team is our greatest strength and one of the most powerful sources of our creativity. We believe in supporting each other, coming together as a team to make sure everyone is fulfilled professionally, creatively, and personally.

Why Work With Us

Culture

Populous is built around the core values of integrity, entrepreneurial creativity, excellence and enjoyment. There are many milestones and celebrations along the way — yours and ours — and we share in these special moments together. We also reach beyond our offices to help make our local communities stronger, from engaging with university students and taking part in urban clean-up projects, to partnering with sports charities and promoting sustainable design.

Understanding people is what Populous is all about — and that begins with the people in our team. That’s why we have designed a comprehensive benefits program to support your employee experience at Populous and your life outside of work, including flexible work environments. From CrossFit in London, to the Noosa Triathlon in Australia to mental health check-ins in the Americas, we have all kinds of initiatives to help you keep mind and body in top condition.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging

With more than 1,600 colleagues in 33 offices spanning four continents, we value the incredible range of talents, beliefs, experiences and perspectives of every person that makes up our team. You bring your authentic self and we’ll set the stage for you to succeed.

Professional Development

Populous is a team of people that are emotionally connected to their work. We wouldn’t have it any other way. From mentor programs and cross-disciplinary design charettes to global conferences, you will have a wealth of opportunities to innovate and learn, shaping your career to meet your personal goals.

Our commitment to innovative design has earned us the top spot in architecture on Fast Company's list of the world's 50 most innovative companies.

“We are a team of fans, dreamers, thinkers and doers. We come together to amplify the magic of fandom and break barriers for the future of sports and entertainment.”

What happens when you provoke designers to bring to life a digital footprint?

Tapping the Power of a Global Knowledge Network

For more than 40 years Populous has had a singular focus – to draw people together around the things that they love, to be the leading design firm that specialises in places, spaces and events where people gather. Our success is defined by designing projects that are seen as the benchmark. We are committed to future innovation, anticipating and shaping the future of our industries.

Our team is made up of highly talented people with a range of skills, all integral to successfully bringing to life the places and experiences we design. As our company has grown, our expertise has expanded to encompass a wide variety of disciplines – including architecture, audiovisual consultancy, brand activation, design & build, events, food & beverage strategy, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design and wayfinding.

As we continue to bring to life award-winning venues and experiences our EMEA Practice is looking for a Strategy Analyst based in our Putney studio.

About the Role

We are looking for an analytically strong and financially literate Analyst to join our Strategy Team. You will combine market and demand analysis, commercial and operating strategy to help clients make well-founded decisions about the development of and investment in, stadiums, arenas and other sports and entertainment venues.

You will sit within a broad consulting remit spanning market and demand analysis, feasibility, business planning, commercial and operating strategy, and client advisory. The aim is to develop into a rounded venue consultant with particular strength in financial evaluation and business planning.

You will help develop venue projects from conception to completion, working directly with clients and multidisciplinary design teams to translate financial outputs into clear strategic, commercial and operational recommendations.

This opportunity is suited to someone with high-quality professional training in consulting, economics, accounting, financial advisory or another analytical environment. Direct venue experience is not required, but curiosity about how venues are conceived, funded, operated and commercialised is essential.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead and support feasibility studies, business cases, venue strategies and performance-improvement assignments, considering the market, strategic, commercial, operational and financial dimensions together
• Undertake market and demand analysis, including catchment assessment, event-market research, competitor and comparable-venue review, attendance analysis and utilisation forecasting
• Develop evidence-based assumptions and scenarios for event calendars, attendance, pricing, utilisation, revenue streams, operating costs, capital expenditure and funding structures
• Build, review and maintain robust financial models for new and existing venues, including profit and loss, cash flow, NPV, IRR, payback, scenario and sensitivity analysis
• Analyse financial statements, management accounts, budgets and business plans to understand performance, identify key drivers and test the credibility of forecasts and investment cases
• Assess and benchmark venue revenue streams, operating models, commercial arrangements, event calendars, staffing, costs and performance indicators to identify practical opportunities
• Gather insight through research, data analysis, stakeholder interviews, workshops and site visits, and translate the evidence into clear strategic, commercial, operational and financial recommendations
• Prepare high-quality client presentations, reports and models including taking ownership of defined workstreams
• Contribute to proposals, benchmarks and broader team/ company knowledge

Key requirements include:

• At least two years of relevant full-time professional experience gained after university, with evidence of structured training and progressively greater responsibility
• A strong academic record, typically including a degree in economics, business, finance, accounting or another quantitatively rigorous subject
• Proven analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills, with the ability to work confidently with incomplete information and reach a defensible conclusion
• Strong financial literacy, including the ability to interpret profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and cash flow statements and understand how they connect
• Hands-on experience building or materially contributing to financial models in Excel. Models should be logical, auditable, clearly structured and capable of supporting scenarios and sensitivities
• Excellent attention to detail, sound judgement and a commitment to producing accurate, well-evidenced work
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to summarise complex findings, explain the implications, build narratives and contribute confidently to client and stakeholder discussions
• A collaborative, proactive and intellectually curious approach, with the confidence to ask good questions, challenge assumptions constructively and connect financial outputs to wider client issues
• A genuine interest in sports, live entertainment and the strategic, commercial, operational and financial dynamics of venues, with flexibility to work across projects, markets and geographies

About the Studio

Our Putney studio, which is also our EMEA Headquarters, is located on the banks of the River Thames, a short walk from Putney High Street and with excellent travel connections. Our employees enjoy a comprehensive and competitive benefits programme, as well as the opportunity to attend events at several Populous-designed venues.

Why Join the Team?

• Work alongside passionate, creative individuals who lead their industry, transform ideas into reality and celebrate the beauty of human connection
• Enjoy various benefits, such as hybrid working and gym membership discounts
• Enjoy the opportunity to attend events at Populous-designed venues
• Connect and learn at regular social and knowledge sharing events including an annual conference and a weekend abroad Christmas party