(Sr.) Economist / Data Scientist - EMEA Macro Consulting - Belfast
Department: Macro Consulting
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Belfast, UK
Description
Oxford Economics, a leading economic forecasting and consulting firm, is seeking a motivated and ambitious Economist or Senior Economist (or Data Scientist) to join our growing EMEA Macro Consulting team, based in Belfast or remote.
The role focuses on applying econometrics and data science for macroeconomic analysis and market forecasting for companies and public sector clients across EMEA, as part of consulting projects, helping clients to understand economic developments and the implications for their business.
The successful candidate will work across a range of consulting projects, supporting clients with econometric and data science analysis, macroeconomic insight, market forecasts, and risk analysis. The role requires strong Excel and data science skills, alongside strong applied experience in time‑series and cross‑sectional econometrics. Candidates should be able to independently design, estimate, validate, and interpret economic and machine learning models for forecasting and scenario analysis. Familiarity with Python and/or R is required.
The role offers strong skill development and career progression opportunities, with scope to learn from and work closely with experienced economists, econometricians and data scientists from across Oxford Economics’ wider UK and global network and take on greater responsibility over time depending on individual performance and business needs.
Key Responsibilities
Project Delivery
- Contribute to the delivery of consulting projects by producing high-quality economic and econometric analysis, forecasts, and supporting materials including reports and presentations
- Independently design, estimate, and interpret time‑series econometric models for forecasting, scenario analysis, and stress testing
- Apply quantitative data science techniques to large‑scale macroeconomic and market datasets using Python and/or R, alongside Excel‑based tools
- Present aspects of analytical work in internal and client‑facing meetings, tailored to both non‑technical and technical business audiences
- Ensure project deliverables are clear, accurate, and appropriately structured for different client audiences
Client Engagement
- Contribute to client discussions, presentations, and meetings, helping explain analysis including econometric results, forecasts, and implications for business decision‑making
- Respond to client questions with clear and timely inputs
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Essential
Language & Communication
- Ability to communicate complex economic, econometric and quantitative data science information clearly to non‑specialist audiences
- Ability to produce high‑quality project deliverables with appropriate structure and clarity
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
- Ability to collaborate with colleagues across different offices and locations
Education & Professional Experience
- Degree in Economics, Finance, Data Science, or a related quantitative discipline, such as Econometrics, Statistics, or Applied Mathematics
- Minimum 2 years of professional experience in an analytical (data science, econometrics etc.), consulting, or research role for the Economist/Data Scientist role, and longer (3+ years) for the Senior Economist/Senior Data Scientist role
- Demonstrated experience independently delivering end‑to‑end analytical work, including data preparation, time‑series econometric and machine learning model development, validation, and interpretation, applied to forecasting, scenario analysis, or stress testing
- Strong understanding of the economic theory underpinning time‑series methods, including model specification, assumptions, and limitations, with experience delivering project‑based outputs to deadlines
Technical & Operational Skills
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with experience working with large‑scale macroeconomic and market datasets
- Experience in econometrics and programming in Python and/or R for applied time‑series analysis and forecasting
- Strong Excel skills for analysis and econometric and machine learning modelling
- High attention to detail and a structured, task‑oriented approach to work
Desired
- Experience in a client‑facing role, including responding to client queries and contributing to the development of commercial relationships
- Experience developing econometric and machine learning models for applying macroeconomic or market forecasts to assess business, sector, or market outcomes
Career Development
This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth, including:
- Accelerated career progression based on performance and achievement of KPIs
- Opportunities to work with and across Oxford Economics consulting teams and global offices
- Exposure to a wide range of projects shaping how leading multi‑national companies and organisations make decisions
- Opportunities to deepen technical skills in forecasting and quantitative analysis
- Development of client‑facing consulting and commercial skills
Competencies
- Analytical and problem‑solving: Ability to interpret macroeconomic and market data, assess implications for clients, and form clear, well‑reasoned conclusions grounded in economic theory
- Quantitative and econometric skills: Ability to design, estimate, and interpret regression‑based and time‑series models using quantitative and data science techniques, assess robustness, and support forecasting and scenario analysis
- Attention to detail: High standard of accuracy and consistency in analysis, data handling, and client deliverables
- Client focus: Commitment to delivering high‑quality work and supporting clients in understanding economic developments and their business implications
- Communication: Ability to explain complex economic concepts clearly and confidently to non‑specialist audiences, both verbally and in writing
- Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across teams, functions, and geographies
Job Benefits
- Fast career progression
- On‑the‑job training and access to external training courses
- Potential of secondment to our global offices
- Regular team gatherings, team and company socials
- Volunteering days and full‑company offsites
- Private Healthcare
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Program
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
- Workplace Nursery Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Hybrid/Flexible Working
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
Oxford Economics is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
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