Economist job description.
An economist studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, analyzing data to forecast trends and inform decision-making. They build economic models, interpret market and policy data, and communicate findings to guide business, government, or research decisions.
The Economist job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Economist Reports to: Chief Economist or Research Director
An economist studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, analyzing data to forecast trends and inform decision-making. They build economic models, interpret market and policy data, and communicate findings to guide business, government, or research decisions.
- Collect and analyze economic data using statistical methods
- Develop forecasts and models to predict economic trends
- Research the impact of policies, markets, or events on the economy
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Chief Economist or Research Director
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Collect and analyze economic data using statistical methods
- Develop forecasts and models to predict economic trends
- Research the impact of policies, markets, or events on the economy
- Prepare reports and presentations summarizing economic findings
- Advise leadership or clients on economic risks and opportunities
- Monitor macroeconomic indicators relevant to the organization
- Collaborate with analysts, researchers, and policy teams
- Publish or present research findings as required
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, or related field
- Strong quantitative and statistical analysis skills
- Proficiency with statistical or econometric software
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Master's degree or PhD in economics
- Experience in government, financial services, or research institutions
- Published research or policy analysis experience
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Economist job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Economist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Chief Economist or Research Director) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What level of education does an economist need?
- A bachelor's degree is the minimum for entry-level roles, while research-focused or senior positions often require a master's degree or PhD.
- Where do economists typically work?
- Economists work across government agencies, financial institutions, consulting firms, academic institutions, and corporate research teams.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Policy Analyst
A policy analyst researches, evaluates, and develops recommendations on public or organizational policy issues.
Budget Analyst
A Budget Analyst develops, monitors, and analyzes an organization's budget to support sound financial decision-making.
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst evaluates financial data to support budgeting, forecasting, and investment decisions.
This Economist job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.