Principal Energy Economist

Job Information

The Principal Energy Economist is a senior role at Common Wealth responsible for leading on the design and advocacy of our energy programme and how it interacts with progressive economic strategy. The focus is on the electricity sector, but with scope to work on related questions of heating, transport, and industry, within the political context of debates around “public control”.  

The role has three core functions:

• To lead on our quantitative and data-driven research to build the case for a public energy system, highlighting both the costly dysfunctions of the status quo and the benefits of structural reform.  
• To design a policy agenda that can translate argument into implementable programme, requiring both detailed and robust policy design and strong advocacy skills.
• To develop out Common Wealth’s macroeconomic argument for energy system reform given the sector’s role governing a systemically important price, with major implications for inflation, Britain’s fiscal position and industrial and aggregate economic performance. The role will include contributing to Common Wealth’s macroeconomic interventions and related questions of progressive political economy.  

The role holder will bring excellent analytical and technical skills, a deep knowledge of the energy sector and progressive macroeconomic debate, a commitment to creative policy thinking, and a proven ability to translate complex findings into accessible and compelling formats. The successful candidate will oversee projects, develop high-quality outputs and arguments, and directly support the leadership team to develop to our organisational goals through research, external engagement, and fundraising. As a member of a collaborative organisation, they will help shape the culture, direction, and day-to-day work of the organisation.    

We particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience in government, regulatory bodies or the energy industry.

As with all roles at Common Wealth, this position involves working collaboratively and flexibly within a medium-sized team, and you may be asked to contribute across projects or areas beyond your core responsibilities.