Economist Opportunity: Shape the economic case for change

Location: Our London offices, hybrid working (in-person four days per week)

Reports to: Head of Policy

Contract: Freelance (with scope for part-time or full-time work)

Salary/remuneration: Dependent on experience

We work with economists with a range of experience, and we are therefore open to applicants at different stages of their careers.

The Good Growth Foundation is looking for an Economist to work with our team on a freelance basis. We’re looking for someone who wants their analysis to matter - to shape arguments, influence policymakers, and underpin campaigns that move the national debate.

You’ll be producing the economic analysis that sits at the heart of a fast-moving political think tank, underpinning our research, advocacy, and campaigns - and helping turn good ideas into policies that can actually happen.

There is flexibility in how this role is structured: we are open to freelance arrangements with the possibility of moving to part-time or full-time work, depending on seniority, availability and fit. 

About the Good Growth Foundation

The Good Growth Foundation (GGF) is a progressive think tank working to crack the politics of economic growth. We develop political narratives and heavyweight policy together, not separately. That means building an economic story that is rigorous, credible, and capable of winning support - both in Westminster and beyond. 

We ground this work in continuous quantitative and qualitative evidence from our sister social research arm, GGF Insights, so we keep our finger on the pulse of public attitudes.

We shape policy on a wide range of issues that affect growth, from skills, health and welfare to trade, transport and infrastructure - and more. At the same time, we ask a harder question: how do these ideas have a tangible impact on people’s lives, and how do they help progressive politics win again?

We believe the UK is at an existential moment for mainstream politics, with a five-way party split making the nuanced economic argument and political understanding more important than ever. That’s why we focus on developing an economic narrative for Britain that is both analytically strong and politically compelling - so growth can once again feel like something that will be felt by everyone.

Key responsibilities

You’ll be contributing economic analysis that forms the backbone of our flagship research and campaigns. This is hands-on, high-impact work, where your analysis will be read by ministers, advisers, journalists, and business leaders.

  • Producing economic analysis that drives the argument:

    • Conduct rigorous quantitative analysis (such as economic impact modelling, input-output modelling, cost-benefit analysis and regression analyses) to assess the effects of proposed policy changes. This might include estimating GVA impacts, productivity gains, or returns on public investment.

  • Contributing to high-impact research and publications:

    • Support the drafting of research papers and briefings across a wide range of topics, from education, health and welfare to housing, infrastructure, trade, and industrial strategy. 

  • Staying ahead of the political moment

    • Keep a pulse on fiscal events, legislative shifts, and policy windows to ensure our research is timely and provocative, and contribute your ideas for new research.

  • Supporting engagement with policymakers and stakeholders

    • You may assist with briefing notes and presentations for MPs, policymakers, and industry leaders.

  • Turning data into compelling stories

    • Translate complex datasets into clear, persuasive narratives, charts, and visuals that can convince a sceptical minister or cut through with the media.

Who we’re looking for

We’re less interested in a perfect CV and more interested in someone who combines economic rigour with political instinct. What we are looking for: 

  • Qualifications - Hold a degree in Economics or a related discipline (or equivalent experience), and are comfortable working with quantitative data and applied economic analysis.

  • Analytical Ability - Confident using tools such as Excel, R, Stata, or Python.

  • Political Instinct that economic policy is inherently political, and you are motivated by the idea of using economics to drive real-world change.

  • Versatility - You are happy jumping between topics — from housing yields to skills policy to industrial strategy — in a very fast-moving environment.

  • Communication Skills - You can explain complex economic ideas clearly and accessibly, without losing nuance, and are comfortable writing for a broad, non-technical audience.

  • Passion - Care deeply about getting the numbers right, while never losing sight of the human impact behind them.

To apply

Please email your CV (two-page maximum) and a brief cover letter (one-page maximum)to Jade Azim, our Head of Policy and Advocacy, at jade@goodgrowthfoundation.co.uk.