Principal Economist Remote

The Principal Economist leads Lightcast’s research agenda at the intersection of higher education, labor market outcomes, skills, and the transition from education to work. This role is for a highly credible researcher who understands the challenges facing colleges and universities, from demonstrating the value of education and improving graduate outcomes to aligning programs with changing employer demand and responding to AI's impact on skills and careers.

The Principal Economist will develop influential research, publish original insights using Lightcast data, and serve as a trusted external voice with university presidents, provosts, researchers, policymakers, foundations, and other leaders shaping the future of higher education and work.

The ideal candidate combines academic rigor, a strong publication record, deep knowledge of higher education, and an established network across the academic and research community. They should be equally comfortable developing a rigorous research methodology, presenting findings at an academic conference, and discussing the implications with a room of university presidents.

• Develop and execute groundbreaking thought leadership that advances Lightcast’s mission across global audiences, with an emphasis on education, skills, careers, and labor market outcomes.

• Lead creative, rigorous, and high-impact research and data analysis that supports Lightcast’s strategic goals and priorities.

• Translate Lightcast data into compelling messages, research publications, and broader communications and marketing campaigns.

• Serve as an external-facing labor market expert through media interviews, research papers, blog posts, social media, podcasts, and other public channels.

• Represent Lightcast at conferences, expert groups, advisory committees, and other influential forums.

• Build a visible personal brand in coordination with the Lightcast brand.

• Define and own Lightcast’s education, workforce, and future-of-work research agenda around higher education and education-to-work outcomes.

• Identify high-impact research questions and emerging trends that inform institutional strategy, workforce policy, and economic development.

• Establish a multi-year research roadmap focused on labor market change, talent pipelines, workforce development, skills evolution, and the impact of AI on learning and work.

• Lead cross-functional collaboration with product, data, and go-to-market teams to ensure research supports strategy, market positioning, and stakeholder engagement.

• Maintain rigorous methodological standards while balancing innovation, timeliness, and relevance.

• Leverage Lightcast’s labor market and skills data to generate actionable insights that improve alignment between education, workforce systems, employers, and labor market demand.

• Build and strengthen relationships with universities, government agencies, think tanks, foundations, workforce organizations, and industry associations.

• Establish Lightcast as a trusted partner within workforce, education, economic development, and policy ecosystems.

• Develop strategic partnerships and collaborative research initiatives that expand Lightcast’s reach, credibility, and influence.

• Advise policymakers, institutional leaders, and partner organizations on labor market trends and workforce strategy.

• Participate in advisory councils, task forces, and expert networks that shape workforce, education, and economic policy.

• Create opportunities to engage prospective clients, partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders through thought leadership and executive-level conversations.

• Support business development through strategic…