About this role
Research Director, Economic Evaluation Competitive London | Hybrid (2-3 days in office) Full time | Permanent Reporting to: Head of Quantitative Impact Evaluation Team: Policy Research Centre NatCen is looking for an experienced economist to help build and grow its economic evaluation and value-for-money offer. This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who can lead economic evaluation work independently, shape methodological approaches, support business development and strengthen NatCen’s capability in this area. The successful candidate will play a leading role in designing and delivering economic evaluations, value-for-money assessments, cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, economic impact assessments and economic appraisal work. They will also support the growth of a new economic evaluation strand at NatCen, with an immediate focus on winning new work and building internal capability. This role is particularly suited to someone with experience in a research agency, consultancy, economics consultancy, public policy consultancy or international development organisation, where they have led value-for-money or economic evaluation studies from design through to final reporting. Lead high-quality economic evaluations and value-for-money assessments, including cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, economic contribution analysis and economic impact assessments. Design approaches for collecting, analysing and interpreting cost and economic data. Develop robust and transparent economic models to assess programme costs, benefits, efficiency, fiscal impacts and wider societal effects. Lead or provide senior technical input into bids, support pipeline development and contribute to income generation. Advise clients and colleagues on HM Treasury Green Book guidance, public sector appraisal frameworks and appropriate value-for-money methodologies. Manage senior client relationships, including advising on methodological options, managing expectations and presenting findings clearly. Work collaboratively with researchers, academic partners, consultants and colleagues across NatCen to deliver multidisciplinary studies. Mentor colleagues, quality assure analytical outputs and help build internal capability in economic evaluation and value-for-money methods.