At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of UK Location Strategy and Network Plan for Premier Inn.
- Company: Join Whitbread, a leader in hospitality with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 20% bonus, matched pension contributions, and discounts on stays.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and influence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of location strategy using cutting-edge analytics and AI.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills in Excel or Python and experience in strategic datasets.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 78000 £ per year.
This role leads the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of the UK Location Strategy and Network Plan for Premier Inn and hub, transforming complex market, demand and competitive insight into clear, investment‑ready decisions that shape Whitbread’s long‑term growth. Acting as a vital bridge between strategy, analytics and delivery, it ensures the business invests in the right locations, formats and priorities to maximise sustainable returns.
A key focus of the role is modernising Whitbread’s location strategy modelling capabilities—bringing automation, scalable tools and AI‑enabled analytics into the heart of decision‑making. Commercial judgement is applied throughout, grounding recommendations in real‑world trading dynamics, investment considerations and long‑term value creation. As the network evolves, the role will continue to grow, shaping how Whitbread identifies, evaluates and delivers future opportunities.
- Lead Location Strategy— Own and evolve the UK Location Strategy and Network Plan, defining where to grow, what to build and how large, while balancing returns, risk and brand priorities.
- Shape Market Insight— Act as the subject‑matter expert on UK hotel market dynamics, producing quarterly outlooks and governing competitor and market datasets to maintain a single source of truth.
- Drive Strategic Modelling— Own and enhance core growth potential and network models, translating outputs into clear strategic choices and continuously improving assumptions, inputs and governance.
- Modernise Analytics— Lead the shift toward automated, scalable and AI‑enabled modelling, applying machine-learning techniques to strengthen forecasting, scenario testing and cannibalisation logic while keeping outputs explainable.
- Influence Senior Stakeholders— Partner with Property, Finance and Strategy teams to guide investment decisions, applying commercial judgement across all areas to maximise long‑term value creation.
Why you'll love it here:
- Bonus potential up to 20%
- Pension contributions matched up to 10%
- Up to 60% off stays with Premier Inn and Hub
What you'll need:
- Ability to take full end to end ownership of the Strategic Growth Plan, working with stakeholders across acquisition, delivery, insight and strategy teams to align inputs and translate market, demand and supply insights into clear, actionable growth recommendations.
- Experience owning and maintaining strategic datasets, ensuring data quality, governance and accuracy across multiple sources to support critical business decisions.
- Strong quantitative modelling and analytical skills (Excel and/or Python), including forecasting, scenario analysis and investment modelling.
- Ability to build robust location-level insight, integrating demand, supply, competitor and market dynamics to identify opportunities, risks and priorities.
- Proven commercial judgement and communication skills, translating complex analysis into clear, evidence‑based recommendations that influence investment and strategic decisions.
Senior Location Strategy & Planning Analyst in Dunstable employer: Whitbread PLC
Whitbread PLC is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where fun and hospitality thrive. As a Restaurant Team Member at The Warrener in Thetford, you'll enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive training, and valuable employee benefits, all while being part of a supportive team that values your growth and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Location Strategy & Planning Analyst in Dunstable
✨Get to Grips with Data Visualisation Tools
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✨Join Local Business Intelligence Meetups
Look for local business intelligence meetups or analytics conferences in your area. These events are not just great for learning but also for networking with industry professionals who could lead you to opportunities at companies like Whitbread PLC!
✨Engage with Online BI Communities
Join online forums or communities focused on business intelligence—think LinkedIn groups, Reddit threads, or even dedicated Slack channels. Engage actively by sharing your insights and asking questions; this can help you build visibility and connect with potential employers.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Location Strategy & Planning Analyst in Dunstable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Whitbread PLC, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Whitbread PLC
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with Whitbread PLC’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
