Turn location evidence into decisions that stand up to scrutiny

Locus helps businesses understand a place before committing to their next location. We are looking for an experienced Site Selection Specialist to bring commercial judgement to our location intelligence, client research and site-selection workflows.

You will work directly with the founder to assess markets and candidate sites, challenge assumptions and turn demographic, competitor and accessibility data into clear recommendations. This is a hands-on contract role for someone who can explain why a location deserves further investigation, what could rule it out and which questions still need evidence.

The role is fully remote and open to applicants anywhere. We value practical experience across retail, restaurants, leisure, franchises or other businesses with a physical footprint.

What you’ll work on

Translate a business brief into site-selection criteria: customer profile, format, catchment, access, competitive context and commercial constraints.
Screen markets and locations using catchment and trade-area analysis, demographics, local demand signals, competitor mapping and transport accessibility.
Evaluate candidate sites against the same criteria. Distinguish source observations, estimates and assumptions, and identify the limitations of each dataset.
Prepare concise location assessments, comparison reports and client presentations that explain the recommendation, trade-offs, risks and next validation steps.
Bring field and commercial judgement to desk research, including visibility, frontage, co-tenancy, dayparts and local operating context. Flag where site visits or specialist due diligence are needed.
Work with the founder to improve Locus research methods, reporting and product workflows using practical feedback from real site-selection decisions.

What we’re looking for

At least 5 years of practical experience in site selection, location planning, network expansion, retail property research or a closely related discipline.
A track record of evaluating locations and communicating recommendations to operators, clients or investment stakeholders. Be ready to discuss the reasoning and outcome of your work.
Confidence with catchment analysis, demographic research, competitor assessment and the commercial drivers of a physical location.
Strong analytical and reporting skills. You can use spreadsheets and GIS or mapping tools, such as QGIS or ArcGIS, and make complex evidence understandable.
Sound judgement about data quality and uncertainty. You know when a map or model needs to be checked against conditions on the ground.
Clear written communication, a collaborative working style and the ability to manage an agreed scope independently in a remote team.

Experience that would be useful

Multi-site expansion, restaurant or franchise planning, commercial real estate advisory, spatial analysis, sales forecasting or working with both UK and US location data would be valuable. SQL, Python or experience turning research methods into software workflows is welcome, but not essential.

How we’ll work together

This is a fully remote freelance / contract role, open worldwide. Project scope, time commitment, fees and any travel requirements will be discussed and agreed before work starts.

You will have direct access to the founder and the opportunity to shape how a growing location intelligence platform supports real commercial decisions. We are looking for thoughtful recommendations and useful evidence, rather than a high volume of reports.

How to apply

Apply with your name, email and CV using the form below. Highlight relevant site-selection or location-planning experience in your CV. At a later conversation, we would like to hear about one or two projects, the decisions you influenced and what you learned; anonymised examples are welcome.