Lead Economist Jobs
Lead Economist jobs are open across government agencies, financial services, consulting, and research institutions, from senior analyst to principal and chief economist level, with specializations in macroeconomic forecasting, applied microeconomics, and policy analysis. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 7+ Lead Economist jobs
Location
Post of duty: Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
We improve lives
The IDB Group is a community of diverse, versatile, and passionate people who come together on a journey to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.
About this position
We are looking for a Lead Specialist/Senior Specialist who are familiar with the development challenges faced by Latin America and the Caribbean and want to make a difference in the development of the region. The candidates should possess: (1) strong technical skills; (2) a record of–or good prospects for—high-quality, original research in peer-reviewed journals; (3) the ability to communicate with a wide range of potential audiences; and (4) an interest in policy issues in the region.
The successful candidates will work in our Research Department and office of the Chief Economist (RES). This call is open to all areas of economics and PhD-level economists. We particularly seek a combination of a thorough academic approach with the potential to publish, as well as a strong interest in policy issues.
What you’ll do
- Participate in providing leadership and direction to the department’s research agenda.
- Coordinate and conduct economic research, identifying challenges and issues, applying theoretical and/or empirical economic analysis and developing policy recommendations. Lead and contribute to the development of new or revised tools and methodologies of economic analysis.
- Lead and actively participate in and contribute to the conceptualization, writing, production, and dissemination of publications such as the annual Latin American and Caribbean Macroeconomic Report and the flagship publication known as Development in the Americas, by using internal and external resources and addressing new research issues to encourage policy discussions and enhance the visibility and impact of our work.
- Coordinate and contribute to the preparation of economic analysis and policy advice for senior management, translating research and economic evidence into clear and actionable messages for a range of institutional and external engagements.
- Develop networks for disseminating research findings, promoting cooperative research initiatives, and discussing policy issues within and outside the Bank. Present research to academic and non-academic audiences and refine research papers in the light of comments for eventual publication in refereed journals.
- Coordinate and/or review and evaluate the academic work of outside researchers (consultants and research institutions hired through the IDB’s Latin American Research Network), ensuring that they meet the highest standards of quality.
- Provide technical guidance, mentoring and coaching to more junior staff.
What you'll need
- Education: Masters degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in economics, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role. PhD in Economics strongly preferred.
- Experience: You have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, along with a publication record commensurate with your experience and an active research pipeline.
- Languages: Proficiency in English and one of the other Bank official languages (Spanish, French or Portuguese) is preferred.
Requirements
- Citizenship: You are a citizen of one of our 48-member countries . We may offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your eligible dependents.
- Consanguinity: You have no family members (up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB, IDB Invest, or IDB Lab.
Type of contract and duration
- International staff contract, 36 months initially, renewable upon mutual agreement.
What we offer
The IDB Group provides benefits that respond to the different needs and moments of an employee’s life. These benefits include:
- A competitive compensation package , including an annual base salary expressed on a net-of-tax basis.
- Leaves and vacations : 24 days of paid time off + 8 personal days + sick leave + gender-neutral parental leave.
- Health Insurance : IDB Group provides employees and eligible dependents with a robust medical benefits program that covers medical, dental, vision, preventive care, and prescription drugs.
- Pension plan : defined benefit pension plan that provides financial security and support employees in planning for their future.
- We offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your family when it applies.
- On-site position with the occasional flexibility of teleworking.
- Health and well-being : Access to our Health Services Center that provides preventive care and health education for employees.
- Development support : We offer tools to boost your professional profile, such as mentoring, 1:1 professional counseling, training and learning opportunities, language classes, mobility options, among others.
- Other office amenities (as available) : Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, spouse career support, and others.
Our culture
At the IDB Group, we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work while finding their purpose. Our people consistently strive for excellence, and we recognize and celebrate the impact of their contributions.
In our efforts to drive innovation, we intentionally include all voices, cultivate a sense of belonging and champion fairness. We welcome individuals from underrepresented groups to join us and share their unique perspectives.
We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job interview process. If you require an accommodation to complete this application, please email us at accommodations@iadb.org .
Location
Post of duty: Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
We improve lives
The IDB Group is a community of diverse, versatile, and passionate people who come together on a journey to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.
About this position
We are looking for a Lead Specialist/Senior Specialist who are familiar with the development challenges faced by Latin America and the Caribbean and want to make a difference in the development of the region. The candidates should possess: (1) strong technical skills; (2) a record of–or good prospects for—high-quality, original research in peer-reviewed journals; (3) the ability to communicate with a wide range of potential audiences; and (4) an interest in policy issues in the region.
The successful candidates will work in our Research Department and office of the Chief Economist (RES). This call is open to all areas of economics and PhD-level economists. We particularly seek a combination of a thorough academic approach with the potential to publish, as well as a strong interest in policy issues.
What you’ll do
- Participate in providing leadership and direction to the department’s research agenda.
- Coordinate and conduct economic research, identifying challenges and issues, applying theoretical and/or empirical economic analysis and developing policy recommendations. Lead and contribute to the development of new or revised tools and methodologies of economic analysis.
- Lead and actively participate in and contribute to the conceptualization, writing, production, and dissemination of publications such as the annual Latin American and Caribbean Macroeconomic Report and the flagship publication known as Development in the Americas, by using internal and external resources and addressing new research issues to encourage policy discussions and enhance the visibility and impact of our work.
- Coordinate and contribute to the preparation of economic analysis and policy advice for senior management, translating research and economic evidence into clear and actionable messages for a range of institutional and external engagements.
- Develop networks for disseminating research findings, promoting cooperative research initiatives, and discussing policy issues within and outside the Bank. Present research to academic and non-academic audiences and refine research papers in the light of comments for eventual publication in refereed journals.
- Coordinate and/or review and evaluate the academic work of outside researchers (consultants and research institutions hired through the IDB’s Latin American Research Network), ensuring that they meet the highest standards of quality.
- Provide technical guidance, mentoring and coaching to more junior staff.
What you'll need
- Education: Masters degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in economics, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role. PhD in Economics strongly preferred.
- Experience: You have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, along with a publication record commensurate with your experience and an active research pipeline.
- Languages: Proficiency in English and one of the other Bank official languages (Spanish, French or Portuguese) is preferred.
Requirements
- Citizenship: You are a citizen of one of our 48-member countries . We may offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your eligible dependents.
- Consanguinity: You have no family members (up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB, IDB Invest, or IDB Lab.
Type of contract and duration
- International staff contract, 36 months initially, renewable upon mutual agreement.
What we offer
The IDB Group provides benefits that respond to the different needs and moments of an employee’s life. These benefits include:
- A competitive compensation package , including an annual base salary expressed on a net-of-tax basis.
- Leaves and vacations : 24 days of paid time off + 8 personal days + sick leave + gender-neutral parental leave.
- Health Insurance : IDB Group provides employees and eligible dependents with a robust medical benefits program that covers medical, dental, vision, preventive care, and prescription drugs.
- Pension plan : defined benefit pension plan that provides financial security and support employees in planning for their future.
- We offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your family when it applies.
- On-site position with the occasional flexibility of teleworking.
- Health and well-being : Access to our Health Services Center that provides preventive care and health education for employees.
- Development support : We offer tools to boost your professional profile, such as mentoring, 1:1 professional counseling, training and learning opportunities, language classes, mobility options, among others.
- Other office amenities (as available) : Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, spouse career support, and others.
Our culture
At the IDB Group, we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work while finding their purpose. Our people consistently strive for excellence, and we recognize and celebrate the impact of their contributions.
In our efforts to drive innovation, we intentionally include all voices, cultivate a sense of belonging and champion fairness. We welcome individuals from underrepresented groups to join us and share their unique perspectives.
We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job interview process. If you require an accommodation to complete this application, please email us at accommodations@iadb.org .
Lead Economist Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead economist jobs.
- Advanced degree in economics, public policy, or a closely related quantitative field
- Proficiency in statistical software such as Stata, R, or Python for econometric analysis
- Five or more years of applied economic research or policy analysis experience
- Experience building and communicating macroeconomic or sector-specific forecasting models
- Demonstrated ability to present complex findings to executive or non-technical audiences
- Familiarity with large administrative or survey datasets and data management best practices
Tips for Your Lead Economist Job Search
Quantify your economic impact clearly
Lead economist roles expect you to show how your analysis moved a decision or changed an outcome. Replace vague bullet points with specific examples: a forecast that informed a budget allocation, a model that shaped pricing strategy, or a policy memo that reached senior leadership.
Tailor your methods section by sector
Federal agencies prioritize regression and program evaluation. Financial firms want time-series forecasting and risk modeling. Consulting firms value both. Scan each job description for the methods named and mirror that language in your resume's skills and experience sections.
Get your dissertation or research portfolio ready
Many hiring managers for lead economist roles ask for writing samples before the first interview. Have two or three clean, non-confidential work products ready: a policy brief, a technical memo, or a published paper that demonstrates your independent analytical voice.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lead economist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for a technical take-home exercise
Lead economist interviews frequently include a case study or data exercise you complete before the final round. Practice building a clean, well-documented analysis in your preferred tool under time pressure, and be ready to walk a non-technical audience through your conclusions.
Negotiate the full compensation package strategically
Federal and international organization offers are often constrained by grade bands, but research allowances, remote work flexibility, and title level can all be negotiated. Know the grade or band the role is posted at before your offer conversation so you can focus on the levers that actually move.
Lead Economist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lead economists?
The Preservation Firm, Wealthfront, and Oxford Economics are hiring the most lead economists right now, with openings concentrated in Arizona, New York, and Arkansas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is strongest in federal agencies, large financial institutions, and economic consulting firms.
How many lead economist jobs are remote?
About 80% of lead economist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the research-heavy, deliverable-driven nature of the role. Remote arrangements are most common in policy analysis, macroeconomic forecasting, and think-tank research positions, while roles tied to on-site data systems or government clearance requirements tend to require in-person presence.
How do you become a lead economist?
Most lead economist roles require a master's degree or PhD in economics or a closely related field, followed by several years of applied research experience. Build expertise in at least one technical method, such as econometrics or forecasting, and develop a portfolio of work products that show how your analysis influenced real decisions. Moving from staff economist to a lead title typically requires both demonstrated independence and experience managing or mentoring junior analysts.
Can you get hired as a lead economist with little experience?
Breaking into a lead economist title with limited experience is difficult but not impossible if you can demonstrate strong technical skills and independent research output. A PhD with a dissertation directly relevant to the employer's sector can substitute for years of work experience at some organizations. Targeting smaller consulting firms, state-level agencies, or research nonprofits gives you a better opening than competing for senior federal or financial sector roles straight out of graduate school.
What does the lead economist interview process look like?
Most lead economist hiring processes include an initial screening call with HR or a recruiter, a technical interview focused on your methods and past research, and a presentation or case study round where you walk a panel through an analysis. Final rounds often involve conversations with senior economists or cross-functional stakeholders. Some employers send a take-home data exercise before the technical interview to assess how you structure and communicate a quantitative argument.
Where can I find and apply to lead economist jobs?
You can find and apply to lead economist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your specialization and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 7 Lead Economist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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