Economist, Economic Consulting - FTC

Founded 60 years ago and representing some of the biggest names in business, household brands and globally traded corporations that employ people in all sectors and across every region and nation of the UK, the CBI is the voice of business. The CBI represents 850 members who themselves comprise 1,100 separate registered companies and 150,000 trade association members.

The CBI is committed to ensuring a safe, supportive and inclusive people-centric culture where our people can excel to achieve their full potential and be their best authentic selves in an environment where ethical values and respectful behaviours are at the very heart of who we are in our everyday interactions.

This is a 18 month fix term contract. This role sits within payband 6, with a salary ranging from £40,000 to £42,000 depending on experience.

CBI Economics is a growing economic consultancy providing independent analysis and evidence to businesses, government bodies, trade associations and other organisations across the UK. We help our clients understand their economic, social and environmental impact, build the evidence case for policy and investment, and answer complex questions about how industries, places and the wider economy are changing. Our work spans economic impact assessment, cost-benefit analysis and evaluation, sector and market analysis, surveys and primary research, and the development of new analytical tools and approaches.

Our economists work across a diverse range of projects and sectors, with recent work exploring issues including the economic opportunities from the transition to net zero, the impact of AI on jobs and skills, the health and economic benefits of cleaner air, regional and sector growth, and the contribution of businesses and industries to the UK economy.

CBI Economics is part of the CBI, giving our consultancy team access to a distinctive combination of economic expertise, business insight and networks across UK industries and regions. We work closely with colleagues specialising in economic surveys, data and macroeconomic analysis, while delivering commissioned consultancy projects for our own clients.

We are looking for an Economist to join our growing team. This is an opportunity to build your career in economic consultancy, working on varied, high-profile projects that use economics to answer real-world business and policy questions. You will work alongside experienced economists on live client projects from the outset, contributing to research, data analysis and economic modelling, through to communicating findings to clients and wider audiences.

You will take responsibility for defined areas of analysis, interact directly with clients, and contribute to proposals and new areas of work as your skills and experience develop. You will also work closely with our Economic Surveys and Data and Economic Intelligence teams, giving you exposure to survey research and wider macroeconomic analysis and insight.

We are looking for someone at an early stage of their career with strong analytical skills, intellectual curiosity and an interest in applied economics. You might be joining us directly from university or bring some relevant professional experience.

As an Economist, you will work across a varied portfolio of consultancy projects, taking responsibility for defined areas of analysis while working closely with more senior economists and other colleagues. Your responsibilities will include:

• Delivering high-quality economic analysis across client projects, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. This could include economic modelling, data analysis, survey analysis, desk research, literature reviews and other research methods.
• Taking ownership of project work streams, managing your own tasks and deadlines and working collaboratively with colleagues to ensure projects are delivered to a high standard, on time and within budget.
• Turning analysis into clear and compelling outputs, including reports, presentations, briefings and data visualisations that communicate complex economic evidence effectively to different audiences.
• Working directly with clients, contributing to project meetings, presenting analysis and findings, responding to feedback and building strong working relationships.
• Supporting the development of proposals and new business, including researching client needs, developing methodologies, defining deliverables and timelines, and…