Economic Consultant in Birmingham

Company Description

Talan (part of the Talan Group) is an expert provider of professional services. Our vision and mission is to take positive action in a complex world for the future good of people and the environment and to enlighten and enable our clients’ transformation in an increasingly complex world. We are purpose-driven, working across multiple sectors, tackling social and environmental challenges, improving and simplifying the way markets work, harnessing the power of digital transformation and ensuring data is protected and used ethically. Talan provides a range of consultancy and outsourcing capabilities including programme management, market design and governance. We also have extensive and award-winning capabilities across cyber security, data privacy and digital transformation. We are Great Place to Work accredited.

The nature of what we do means we are very much a people business. The contribution every member of the team makes to our diverse range of experience, skills and personalities is valued. We invest heavily in learning and development to enable our people to develop skills and gain experience which will enhance career prospects for life. Many who started their careers with us have rapidly progressed to more senior positions. No two days are the same, but we believe in a flexible approach to working which we know our employees value.

The Role

We’re looking for an Economic Consultant to lead projects and deliver purposeful analysis across client accounts, to inform industry decision-making, strategy development, and investment working in Talan’s Strategy and Consulting Team. Based in Birmingham and London, the Strategy and Consulting team consists of around 50 dynamic policy analysts, economists, consultants and project managers passionate about tackling climate change and making an impact for our clients. This is a fast-paced consulting role for analytically strong individuals who want to shape low-carbon policy and investment decisions. From day one you will be placed at the heart of the energy transition, working across hydrogen, heat pumps, biofuels, and a range of other low-carbon technologies, developing your profile as a low-carbon expert with a holistic understanding of technological and policy opportunities, challenges, and limitations. You’ll be trusted to apply economic judgement, not just technical analysis, in shaping recommendations for clients.

This will be underpinned by your ability to create evidence-based numerical analysis and communicate it to key industry decision makers (including MPs, CEOs, managing directors and boards). Previous analysis has been used by senior leadership to drive decisions in both public and private organisations, quoted by MPs and Ministers in debates in Parliament, has shaped new policies and has featured widely across leading news outlets. Currently, the energy industry is undergoing a generational transition to decarbonise, which brings unprecedented challenge and opportunity. This has kickstarted discussions regarding the optimum pathway to a net zero future. Your work will inform and support the delivery of that transition.

What you’ll gain

• Direct exposure to senior policymakers, industry leaders, and board-level decision-makers.
• Rapid responsibility and ownership of analytical workstreams. You’ll be quickly leading small project teams delivering for clients.
• The opportunity to see your analysis influence real-world policy and investment decisions.
• Structured development as both an economist and a trusted client advisor. You’ll receive hands-on coaching from experienced consultants, regular feedback on your analytical and consulting skills, and clear progression criteria as you develop towards senior consulting roles.

Responsibilities

The role will require the completion of varied assignments working with industry and government clients to shape low carbon energy policy and analyse the costs and benefits of the net zero transition. You will work within project teams to deliver client outcomes. This will include a likely mix of project and retainer account work.

• Delivering economic analysis.
• Designing and delivering quantitative analysis such as cost–benefit analysis, policy impact assessment, scenario modelling, and financial/economic appraisal to inform client and policy decisions.
• Undertaking analysis across multiple criteria (commercial, economic, and environmental) to assess policy options, business models, and low-carbon technologies.
• Developing future industry and policy scenarios to inform client investment decisions and resource allocation.

Communication and persuasion

• Communicating analysis methods and outcomes clearly and concisely to senior industry figures and stakeholders with little background in numerical analysis.
• Using evidence, data, and patterns to influence current and future net zero policy.
• Developing robust evidence bases and forming objective, logical, and persuasive arguments to support client ambitions for policy change.
• Framing the implications of analysis in plain English, drafting clearly and persuasively in written reports and in PowerPoint presentations.

Project management and delivery

• Managing the delivery of small-medium sized research projects with our clients and directing analyst teams.
• Managing day-to-day client relationships and acting as a trusted point of contact. Building productive relationships with our clients, stakeholders and the delivery team.
• Planning and delivering projects to time and quality expectations, balancing analytical depth with commercial constraints.
• Providing oversight of the work of economic analysts, including guiding on analysis methodology and quality assurance.
• Managing a diverse and demanding workload, delivering projects accurately and on time.

Competitive salary plus excellent benefits package

Location: Birmingham or London office

Requirements

The role is suited for an individual with 2-4 years of experience as an economic analyst in government, consultancy, thinktank or comparable organisation. The successful candidate will be a numbers person, objective and fact based, whilst being able to effectively communicate your analysis to senior industry figures.

• Essential
• Degree at graduate or postgraduate level preferably in Economics, Finance, or other numerate social science subjects.
• Strong numerical and analytical capability, with the ability to structure complex problems.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills including verbal, numerical and written methods. Can explain complex topics clearly and accessibly to a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in project teams and build relationships with employees at all levels.
• Modelling skills: high degree of numeracy, confidence with data manipulation, and the ability to think logically and creatively about complex problems.
• Capability across the MS Office suite, particularly MS Excel to carry out economic analysis.

• Desirable
• Understanding of politics and the UK political environment.
• Experience in energy, utilities, environmental policy, or regulation.
• Exposure to project management or client-facing work.
• Experience building economic or financial models in Excel.
• Open to supporting and participating in business development.
• Comfort with Python and other programming languages.
• Experience completing data analysis and econometric tasks.

Upon employment, employees should also have a sound awareness of the Company's Information, Quality, Environmental and Energy Management Systems.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion commitments

Our commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. As a socially responsible leader, Talan continually invests in sustainable growth, addressing both social and environmental challenges. We achieve this while preserving our core values and ensuring operational excellence for our clients. This commitment to excellence extends across all aspects of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. For the past three years, through our 360° approach to social and environmental responsibility, we have been driving significant change and strengthening these principles within our corporate DNA. The solid foundations we’ve been building since 2021 are enabling our organisation to transform in a sustainable and positive manner.

Disability Inclusion

We recognise that the diversity of legislative and cultural frameworks for supporting individuals with disabilities requires the implementation of specific policies and a unique approach in each country where the Group operates. Talan is committed to strengthening its involvement in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities by implementing dedicated support systems and raising awareness among our teams on these issues.

WHAT WE OFFER

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Reward and recognition schemes.
• Flexible working.
• Private Bupa healthcare (subsidised).
• Life Assurance (up to 4 times annual salary).
• Matched pension contributions.
• Season Ticket Loan.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Buy and Sell annual leave.
• Reimbursement of eye test and up to £50 towards glasses or contacts.
• Corporate gym rates.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Summer and Christmas parties, along with monthly Social@77.