Economist Manager (Infrastructure)

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Job description

The Role: Manager, Economist, Infrastructure Advisory Group

KPMG's Infrastructure Advisory Group (IAG)

KPMG's Infrastructure Advisory Group (IAG) is widely recognised as one of the world's leading independent strategic advisors in the infrastructure sector. The group has won many awards, including financial advisor of the year (Infrastructure Journal). In the UK the group consists of over 450 professionals, with locations in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh and is organised as a single national team.

We provide in-depth advice on the strategic, economic, financial and commercial issues driving infrastructure projects spanning the transport, power and utilities and social infrastructure sectors in the UK and internationally. This broad range of projects involves work with both public and private sector clients.

The Infrastructure Strategy and Economics team

The Infrastructure Strategy and Economics team within KPMG's IAG provides market-leading advice to major city region authorities, central government departments and private sector organisations, including developers, corporates and industry trade bodies in the UK on the economic and financial impacts of transport, energy, housing, regeneration projects and environmental policies.

Over the last decade we have also pioneered cutting-edge economic analysis approaches that allow our clients to understand the impacts of investment in transformational infrastructure on the local, regional and national economy. We have also designed innovative new funding solutions that have underpinned the delivery of multi-billion pound infrastructure projects and programmes across the UK.

We have worked on economic policy and appraisal development, major funding deals, business cases and policy initiatives across many sectors within infrastructure and government. We have supported government economic policy initiatives in the areas of Transport, Housing, Freeports, Offshore Wind, Nuclear, Water, Innovation, Digital transformation of the construction sector and the transition to a Net Zero carbon economy. Our work has included government business cases for some of the country's largest and most high-profile infrastructure projects, including the Elizabeth line, East West Rail, Northern Powerhouse Rail and Highways England's Roads Investment Strategy programme. We have provided the economic and financial advice for a range of major devolved funding deals between UK Government and city regions.

We are looking for an experienced, talented and ambitious individual to join our growing team and play an integral role in the continued growth of our business. You will join the team at an exciting time for our sector, with the future of infrastructure playing a key role in helping Government meet its objectives of Building Back Better, Levelling Up the UK economy and achieving Net Zero Carbon.

The ideal candidate would:

• Have at least seven or more years' professional experience as an economist advising clients on investments in economic and social infrastructure (e.g. transport and housing) and projects which promote economic development (e.g. regeneration and skills) and major government infrastructure projects;
• Demonstrate an interest in, or prior knowledge of, how major public sector infrastructure projects are delivered in the UK, including local and central government policy drivers;
• Have knowledge and experience of supporting in the development of devolution deals across the UK
• Have demonstrable experience in the development of business cases for major public investment in infrastructure investment, together with knowledge of Government appraisal guidance (i.e. HMT Green Book and relevant departmental guidance such as DfT, MHCLG, BEIS, Defra etc);
• Have demonstrable experience in shaping, overseeing and undertaking quantitative economic analysis using complex datasets, including experience in building and using economic appraisal and economic impact tools;
• Be an independent thinker with the ability to identify problems and contribute to the development of solutions using first principles in economics, helping us to remain at the cutting edge of thinking in the sector;
• Have the ability to communicate complex concepts and analysis to colleagues and clients in plain English and with impact; and
• Be a highly motivated individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced, dynamic and collaborative working environment, and is capable of managing multiple client demands and deadlines.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Working with senior colleagues, and contributing to the team
• Designing innovative funding and financing strategies to support the case for investment in transport and other infrastructure
• Dealing with large data sets in MS Excel, for instance when assessing the impact of potential new regional tax-raising powers to pay for new infrastructure
• Supporting business development through developing and managing trusted relationships with existing and new clients;
• Designing and implementing innovative and robust economic analysis and analytical approaches to address client challenges;
• Managing and delivering client projects, or discrete workstreams of large scale projects, to the highest standard, on time and to budget.
• Specifying and managing the work of junior colleagues, ensuring that both their analytical and written work is undertaken to the highest possible standard, as well as contributing to their professional development through coaching and mentoring;
• Keeping abreast of developments in relevant policy areas and in economic appraisal methodologies in order to continue to broaden and deepen the sector knowledge of the team.

Qualifications

• Strong A Levels in quantitative disciplines
• Strong BA/BSc Economics (or equivalent) degree
• Masters (or equivalent) degree in a quantitative subject preferred.