Economist

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Our Economics team works across disciplines to help clients understand the economic, social and wider impacts of investment and policy decisions. Working alongside colleagues in transport, planning, environment, energy, water, digital, design and engineering, we bring economic insight to complex challenges and help create better outcomes for places, communities and society.

We are looking for an Economist to join our growing Economics team in the Midlands and West.

This is an opportunity to work across a varied portfolio of projects where economics is used to shape better decisions around infrastructure, development, policy, investment and place. You could be contributing to business cases and economic appraisals, developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, undertaking socioeconomic research or helping clients understand the benefits and impacts of proposed investment. You will analyse quantitative and qualitative evidence from public datasets, client information, surveys and stakeholder engagement, translating your findings into clear economic narratives, reports, presentations, dashboards and other outputs.

Working closely with senior economists and multidisciplinary project teams, you will contribute to feasibility studies, options assessments, cost-benefit and value-for-money analysis, benefits assessment, socioeconomic impact work and wider advisory commissions. You will also have opportunities to support client and stakeholder engagement and contribute to bids, proposals and the continued development of our Economics capability. The breadth of our work means you will have opportunities to build your skills across different sectors and methods.

You might already have experience in areas such as transport, planning, regeneration, development, energy, water, environmental economics or public policy, or you may bring strong economic and analytical skills that you are keen to apply to new sectors.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

We are looking for people who have:

• A degree or equivalent qualification in economics or a related discipline, such as transport, planning, geography, public policy, environmental economics or urban development.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with confidence working with quantitative and qualitative data and communicating findings clearly.
• Experience or a strong interest in areas such as economic appraisal and business cases, cost-benefit analysis, monitoring and evaluation, socioeconomic assessment, regeneration, development economics or place-based strategy.
• An ability to turn complex evidence into clear, concise and practical insights and recommendations, with strong written communication and attention to detail.
• A collaborative and curious approach, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and an interest in applying economics to different sectors and challenges.

Knowledge of frameworks and guidance including the HM Treasury Green Book, Magenta Book, Better Business Cases and Department for Transport Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) would be beneficial, rather than essential.

We are particularly interested in people who are curious about the economic, social and environmental issues shaping investment and development, including decarbonisation, inclusive growth, housing,…