Principal, Economics

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Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Monday 2 November, and therefore we advise getting your application in by no later than midnight on Sunday 1 November.

About Ofcom

As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work that helps keep the UK connected and shapes the future of how we’ll stay connected with each other.

Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to TV, radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We’re also taking on the challenge of making the online world a safer place. And we need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our goal of making communications work for everyone.

About the Team

Ofcom’s Economics and Analytics Group is a dynamic team of around 130 applied microeconomists, econometricians, behavioural economists, data analysts and finance experts. We help shape policy based on insights from economic theory and empirical research and strive to be thought leaders in how we apply economics and quantitative analysis to benefit UK consumers and citizens in communication matters. We also actively contribute to economic debates in the communications sector through publishing discussion papers.

We work across all sectors regulated by Ofcom, often going beyond traditional telecoms and broadcasting regulation. Recent examples of our work include:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of behavioural interventions to help users assess content online through an adaptive randomised control trial (see paper here).

• Evaluating the impact of Twitch’s content classification labelling using machine learning techniques and a regression discontinuity design (see paper here).

• Measuring the diversity of news content online using natural language processing (see paper here).

• Quantitative analysis supporting Ofcom regulation of the fixed telecoms markets that underpin broadband, mobile and business connections (see policy statement here).

• Supporting the Competition and Markets Authority in its investigation of the Vodafone/Three mobile merger.
  

Purpose of the Role

We are looking for a high calibre candidate with proven experience in applying economics and quantitative expertise to inform policymaking and the ability to lead projects and workstreams across the following areas:

• Applied econometrics: econometric analysis underpinning research and policy projects, including identifying data requirements and applying appropriate methods for policy evaluation (e.g., difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity design, etc.), randomised control trials or structural estimation.

• Data science: analysis applying data science techniques to regulatory and competition economics (e.g., content classification, natural language processing, regression trees, etc.) in combination with econometrics.  

• Competition and regulatory economics: assessing markets and consumer issues and shaping developments in Ofcom’s regulated sectors.

• Policy Evaluation: designing policies and evaluating their expected impact and outcomes.

At Ofcom, we value your well-being and provide an environment that fosters both personal and professional growth. For example, through participation in training on advanced methods or economics conferences.

You will get the opportunity to:

• Collaborate with teams of economists, data analysts, policy professionals, market researchers, technologists and lawyers on diverse and stimulating projects across a broad range of sectors.

• Apply economic expertise and quantitative techniques to address challenging questions, often leveraging cutting-edge analysis and data.

• Make a real impact on society while achieving a healthy work-life balance.

Your key responsibilities

As a Principal, and senior colleague within the group, you will:

• Lead teams of economists, econometricians and data analysts that are integral to Ofcom projects, including on several projects and workstreams concurrently.
• Identify and analyse economic and policy issues, and consider the analysis and evidence needed to reach robust decisions. This may include developing theoretical insights to inform policy design and applying a range of empirical techniques such as econometric modelling or machine learning.
• Provide high-quality economic and quantitative analysis, including anticipating and considering counter-arguments or different points of view and providing the overall direction for analysis and the strategic approach on projects, not just from a technical standpoint but also considering internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate economic issues and quantitative concepts convincingly when attending team meetings, governance meetings and meetings with our stakeholders.
• Support teams to produce clear, well-reasoned drafts of documents, including for publication.
• Contribute to the development of other colleagues, especially in econometrics and data analysis, through training initiatives and by empowering team members on projects.
• Together with your fellow Principals and Directors, be integral to the leadership, motivation and development of the Economics and Analytics Group.

The skills, knowledge and experience you will need for success

Job-based skills

• A solid foundation in applied microeconomics and econometrics gained through training and experience in the relevant specialisms (e.g., competition economics, regulatory economics, industrial organisation, and causal inference, and/or structural estimation).
• Extensive experience applying economic concepts and quantitative analysis in real-world scenarios across a range of projects at a consultancy, regulator, competition or consumer authority, or regulated company.
• An interest in or experience with applying machine learning or artificial intelligence techniques to economic analysis and regulatory questions.
• Experience in the use of at least one analytical software package (e.g., R or Python).
• A postgraduate qualification in economics; a PhD preferred but not essential.

Grade-based skills

• Articulating Ideas: A great communicator with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. You will be able to apply economic concepts to unfamiliar situations and be capable of communicating and simplifying these concepts effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Building Solutions: You will use thought leadership and be able to use new and creative approaches and frameworks.
• Executing Plans: Adept with project management and able to effectively plan and organise economic analysis, including identifying workstreams, coordinating resources efficiently, and delivering through others within agreed timelines.
• Empowering Development: You will have experience of, or demonstrate the aptitude for, coaching and mentoring to develop and empower junior colleagues and get the best out of your team. 

Inclusive hiring at Ofcom

At Ofcom, our mission is clear: to make communications work for everyone. To achieve that, our people must reflect the diversity of the UK, in background, identity and experience. 

We believe innovation thrives when difference is valued and everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and perspectives. That’s why we welcome colleagues of all ethnicities and races, sexes, genders and gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, faiths and beliefs, and those with apparent and non‑apparent disabilities. We value socio‑economic diversity, life experience and neurodiversity too. Whether you’re a carer, a parent, a veteran, or re‑entering work after time away, your voice and perspective matter here. 

Flexibility is at the heart of how we work because we want you to thrive in a way that suits you best. Most roles can therefore be adapted for part‑time hours, job shares, or other flexible arrangements. Learn more about our Rewards, Benefits and Wellbeing on our careers page. 

Our recruitment process is intentionally designed to be open and accessible. If you need adjustments, information in a different format or an alternative way to apply, contact us at resourcing@ofcom.org.uk or 0330 912 1378. 

As a proud Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role. You can read more about this commitment here. 

Whoever you are, whatever your story, you belong at Ofcom.