Economist - Consultancy Team

We look for people who are creative problem solvers, who possess strong analytical skills, and who have the ability to express themselves with clarity and concision. Our consultancy team is seeking to hire an economist to work on bespoke assignments, applying their economic skills to assist clients in a variety of industries, situations and economies.

The team has recently carried out projects as diverse as:

• Supporting due diligence on Private Equity deals in Europe and the US
• Assessing the current and future gains in productivity from AI across sectors
• Developing scenarios for the UK housing market
• Evaluating the economic contribution of a nuclear power plant
• Estimating the impact of rising interest rates on households’, governments and businesses’ balance sheets

You will have the opportunity to apply a wide-range of analytical approaches such as input-output analysis, modelling, econometrics, scenario development and survey design. You will acquire, analyse and interpret data from a variety of sources. You will be involved in all stages of writing and preparing reports and presentations, as well as liaising with clients and assisting with new business development. To develop your skills, you will receive training and guidance from your colleagues and attend in-house classes run by our award-winning economists.

In return, we offer a competitive package, the opportunity to work in an intellectually stimulating environment with potential for advancement and the chance to interact with clients on a regular basis. The working arrangement is currently one to two days per week in the office and the remainder from home, but team members are welcome to spend more days in the office if they prefer.

We are looking for a talented candidate with a strong academic background in economics, the intellectual curiosity to thoroughly understand assignments and clients’ needs, and the desire to deliver a variety of high quality outputs. Ideally, the candidate will have two to three years’ experience applying their university education but, exceptionally, we may consider applicants with work experience outside of this range.

Responsibilities:

The post holder will contribute to the winning, conducting and delivery of assignments (i.e. bespoke consultancy and research commissioned from us by our clients). The economist will support senior members of the team and may be responsible for all aspects of smaller projects or significant elements of larger commissions.

• Building a broad knowledge of official and other sources of social, economic and market data
• Liaising with external data providers and clients to source relevant data
• Creating and maintaining spreadsheets, databases and models
• Analysing, critically assessing and interpreting a wide variety of data with the ability to understand results and draw key messages and implications for clients
• Economic modelling and forecasting and policy appraisal
• Conveying conclusions of research clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences in written form, through formal presentations and in meetings
• Maintaining an awareness of international macroeconomics through appropriate reading and self-development
• Maintaining knowledge of Capital Economics’ house views and forecasts
• Keeping abreast of local, national and international news and key government policy changes relevant to a project
• Active involvement with clients to ensure there are clear lines of communication throughout the project
• Producing informative and persuasive materials for both technical and non-technical audiences including reports, briefings, presentations and graphics
• Proof-reading and formatting documents and supporting other members of the team
• In addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined above, the Economist may be required to perform other duties assigned in the normal course of company business. Some travel may be required.

At Capital Economics, we are striving to create a diverse workforce and inclusive environment, which we believe are critical to help us make better decisions for the company, our employees and our clients. A diverse and inclusive workplace makes for more innovative, engaged and empowered employees, from whom business strength can be derived. This is particularly important in macroeconomic research, which relies on a diversity of views and opinions to be relevant and insightful.

Capital Economics is committed to equality, inclusion and diversity. We encourage applications from all candidates regardless of ethnicity, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or gender identity. If you need reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process to ensure you are not at a disadvantage to other candidates, please include this in your cover letter. This is applicable if you have a disability or if you are neurodiverse/hold neurodiverse traits.

Please send a CV with a short covering letter explaining why you want to work for Capital Economics and why you are suited to the role.

Requirements

Skills:

• Thorough and grounded knowledge of macroeconomics, microeconomics, econometrics and statistics, and their real-world application
• Proven analytical and quantitative skills with great attention to detail
• Advanced level in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word, and familiar with Outlook.
• Skills in econometric and statistics packages are desirable but not essential
• Ability to write in a concise and accessible manner, and to adapt writing style depending on the audience
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills that inspire the confidence of clients and colleagues
• Ability and desire to undertake the widest range of intellectual and practical economic challenges
• Excellent time-management skills, ensuring that several projects can be handled simultaneously while meeting all deadlines
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team
• Commercial acumen

Experience and qualifications:

• Excellent first degree in economics or similar. Masters degree preferred
• Two to three years’ experience applying macroeconomics in consultancy, the corporate or financial sectors, the civil service or think-tanks

Benefits

• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Life assurance
• 24 hour online GP
• Good annual leave & sick package
• Hybrid working, 2-3 days in the office
• Flexible working policy
• Training & development
• Good additional maternity and paternity policies
• Bike to work scheme
• Thriving social committee