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SEO Economist - Investment Analysis - Job Opportunity at Department for Business and Trade

London, United Kingdom
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 25, 2025
Hybrid
GBP 41,156 - 48,817 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive Civil Service defined benefit pension with exceptional 28.97% employer contribution worth £11,922 annually - significantly above private sector standards
Generous 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays providing superior work-life balance
Flexible working arrangements including job share and part-time options enabling career longevity
Professional development opportunities tailored to role with access to Government Economic Service training
Additional analyst allowance of £4,245 annually recognizing specialized expertise
Inclusive workplace culture with strong diversity and inclusion commitments
Job security through permanent civil service employment with structured career progression

Key Responsibilities

Lead transformational economic analysis programs to understand sub-national investment impacts, directly influencing ministerial decisions and UK economic policy
Conduct high-stakes Green Book appraisals of government interventions, determining value for money assessments that shape multi-million pound investment decisions
Develop cutting-edge econometric models and data science applications using novel datasets to drive evidence-based policy making
Provide strategic analytical insights to senior government officials and ministers during critical fiscal events and spending reviews
Collaborate with international organizations including UNCTAD and OECD to position UK as global leader in investment analysis
Manage complex stakeholder relationships across government departments, overseas networks, and external partners to maximize policy impact
Commission and oversee external research projects worth significant government investment, ensuring delivery to challenging political timelines
Mentor junior analysts and contribute to organizational capability building in world-leading investment analysis team

Requirements

Education

First or 2:1 Honours Bachelor's degree with at least 50% economics in final two years, or Post Graduate Diploma/Master's degree in economics with substantial macro and microeconomics

Experience

Several years of economic analysis or research experience in research agency, market research agency, or specialist research team environment

Required Skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills with ability to articulate economic analysis to non-analysts and senior officials Strong technical skills in handling and manipulating large datasets Practical application of econometric analysis and data science techniques Coding and programming capabilities for data analysis Project delivery skills in complex and uncertain environments Collaborative working across organizational boundaries Ability to synthesize complex analysis for non-technical audiences

Certifications

Government Economic Service membership (required upon appointment) Meeting GES technical framework requirements covering three core components
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Industry Trends

Government economics roles are experiencing unprecedented demand as post-Brexit UK focuses on rebuilding international trade relationships and attracting foreign direct investment to compete globally. The creation of the expanded Office for Investment represents a significant policy shift toward evidence-based investment promotion. Public sector analytical roles are becoming increasingly sophisticated, incorporating advanced data science techniques and econometric modeling that rivals private sector quantitative roles. This reflects government's recognition that complex economic challenges require cutting-edge analytical capabilities. International collaboration in economic analysis is intensifying, with organizations like UNCTAD and OECD seeking partnerships with national governments to develop global best practices. This creates opportunities for UK government economists to influence international economic policy frameworks.

Salary Evaluation

The salary range of £41,156-£48,817 plus £4,245 analyst allowance represents competitive compensation for senior government economist roles, with the exceptional 28.97% pension contribution effectively increasing total compensation to £53,000-£61,000 equivalent in private sector terms. This positions the role competitively against similar analytical positions in consulting firms or financial institutions.

Role Significance

Typically leading small specialized teams of 3-5 analysts while collaborating across broader networks of 20-30 professionals in Investment Analysis division. Role involves matrix management across multiple government departments and international partnerships.
Senior Executive Officer level represents significant authority within UK civil service hierarchy, with direct access to ministerial briefings and policy influence. The role carries substantial responsibility for analysis that informs multi-billion pound investment decisions and shapes national economic strategy.

Key Projects

Development of transformational FDI impact assessment frameworks that will define how UK evaluates foreign investment success Creation of sub-national economic modeling systems to optimize regional investment targeting and measure productivity impacts Design of Green Book appraisal methodologies for investment interventions that will become standard across government departments

Success Factors

Ability to translate complex econometric analysis into compelling policy narratives that influence senior decision-makers and ministers in high-pressure political environments Mastery of advanced analytical techniques including machine learning and big data processing to extract insights from novel datasets that provide competitive advantage in investment promotion Strong stakeholder management skills to navigate complex government bureaucracy while maintaining productive relationships with international partners and external contractors Strategic thinking capability to anticipate policy implications and position analytical work to maximum impact during critical fiscal events and spending reviews

Market Demand

High demand driven by UK's strategic focus on post-Brexit economic recovery, foreign investment attraction, and regional development initiatives. Government investment in analytical capabilities reflects critical need for evidence-based policy making in uncertain economic environment.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Econometric modeling expertise is absolutely essential as the role requires developing sophisticated analytical frameworks that will inform multi-billion pound investment decisions and shape national economic policy. Advanced statistical techniques and causal inference methods are fundamental to producing credible analysis that can withstand political and academic scrutiny. Data science and programming capabilities are crucial for working with large, complex datasets that form the foundation of modern economic analysis. Python, R, and SQL skills enable extraction of insights from novel data sources that provide competitive advantage in investment promotion and policy development. Communication and stakeholder management skills are vital for translating technical analysis into compelling policy narratives that influence senior officials and ministers. The ability to present complex economic concepts to non-technical audiences determines whether analytical work achieves policy impact.

Beneficial Skills

Machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques are increasingly valuable for processing alternative data sources and identifying patterns in economic behavior that traditional econometric methods might miss, providing cutting-edge analytical capabilities International economics expertise including trade theory, development economics, and comparative institutional analysis enhances ability to understand global investment flows and competitive dynamics between nations Project management and procurement skills become important for commissioning external research and managing contractor relationships, enabling delivery of complex analytical projects within government timelines and budget constraints

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work on 'transformational FDI' research that will define how governments globally evaluate foreign investment impacts, positioning the role at forefront of international economic policy development
Direct involvement in fiscal events and spending reviews provides rare insight into highest levels of government decision-making and economic policy formulation
Access to novel datasets and cutting-edge analytical tools typically unavailable in private sector, enabling groundbreaking research with immediate policy application
International travel and collaboration opportunities with leading global economic organizations offer exceptional professional development and networking possibilities

Career Growth

Typical progression to Principal Economist level within 3-4 years, with Director-level opportunities available within 5-7 years for high performers. International assignments and private sector transitions possible within 2-3 years given specialized expertise.

Potential Next Roles

Principal Economist positions leading major policy initiatives across government departments Director-level roles in Office for Investment or HM Treasury with responsibility for national economic strategy International assignments with OECD, World Bank, or other multilateral organizations leveraging UK government experience Senior advisory positions in private sector consulting firms specializing in government relations and economic policy

Company Overview

Department for Business and Trade

The Department for Business and Trade represents the UK government's primary vehicle for economic growth and international commerce, formed through merger of international trade and business departments to create unified approach to economic development. DBT manages billions in investment promotion activities and negotiates critical trade agreements that shape UK's economic future.

DBT operates as one of the most influential economic policy organizations globally, with direct responsibility for UK's post-Brexit trade strategy and foreign investment attraction. The department's analytical capabilities are considered world-leading, with research regularly cited by international organizations and academic institutions.
Multi-location flexibility across Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, and Salford reflects government's commitment to regional development and provides unique opportunity to work on geographically diverse economic challenges while maintaining career progression opportunities.
Civil service environment emphasizing public service mission, intellectual rigor, and long-term career development. Culture promotes evidence-based decision making, collaborative working across organizational boundaries, and commitment to diversity and inclusion with strong support for flexible working arrangements.
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