Assistant Director of Advisory - Ernst & Young

The opportunity EY's Economics Advisory team combines deep sector knowledge with strong technical skills in economics, econometrics and quantitative analysis to address key client issues in strategy, regulation, competition, planning and government policy. EY's Economic Advisory team is looking to grow its existing energy and resources practice to capture exciting opportunities as the energy transition fundamentally changes the energy sector. The government, regulators and companies need to determine how best policy and regulation can be shaped to deliver the energy sector of the future, while ensuring the sector delivers for consumers and investors in the nearer term.

In response to demand from clients, our energy and resources team is seeking experienced economists to help grow the business in the following areas:

• The economics of power generation
• Power price forecasting / modelling
• Policy and regulation of energy and water networks, flexibility, electric vehicles, whole systems approaches and system operation
• Policy and regulation of heat and industrial decarbonisation (including hydrogen and CCUS)

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Identifying and designing policy and regulation to solve the challenges created by the energy transition faced by companies, governments and regulators
• Delivering high calibre economic insight and producing high quality, technically sound reports
• Management of projects to time and budget and leading teams
• Liaising with clients and leading client meetings
• Proactively supporting business development initiatives
• Playing an active part in the management of the wider team of managers, executives and analysts
• Building a network of contacts both internally and externally

To qualify for the role you must have:

We are looking for an experienced energy economist with strong communication skills. The successful candidate should be capable of working on multiple projects at the same time, as well as possessing strong business development and project/team management skills. They will also proactively manage their own career path and development. Suitable applicants will be a highly effective team member and leader, with an Economics degree and relevant experience as economist employed in a regulated company, economic regulator or government, economic consultancy or similar position.

For these roles, it would be advantageous to have knowledge of any of the following:

• Designing and influencing sector-specific economic regulation or wholesale / capacity / ancillary service / balancing / retail market arrangements
• Designing and analysing energy and water network policy and regulation, including price controls (such as Ofgem's RIIO-2 price control framework, Ofwat's PR19 price control framework), smart grids, hydrogen and CCUS network regulation
• Undertaking cost of capital and other financial analysis related to ensuring the attractiveness of utility regulation for investors

Skills and attributes for success:

• Has logical and rational approach to complex problem solving
• Has excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues to non-technical clients and staff
• Builds relationships with clients and EY teams
• Deals confidently with stakeholders and client staff and builds credibility for the firm
• Responds quickly to client requests for information or guidance, referring the issue to more senior staff where appropriate
• Recognises opportunities to contribute to client issues when they arise and assists in providing solutions
• Actively promotes the sharing of knowledge
• Contributes pro-actively to building team spirit and works effectively across teams
• Delivers to demanding deadlines maintaining the discipline and quality of output
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally