SPI is Recruiting a Head of Economics
Olsberg•SPI (SPI) is recruiting a Head of Economics to lead our economic impact work.
The role is ideal for a highly motivated and ambitious senior economist with a keen interest in the screen sector and a desire to make a global impact. We offer an excellent, dynamic, international working environment and the opportunity to be a thought leader in the high-growth global screen sector. We work in established and emerging markets, including North America, Europe, Australia, and, increasingly, Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are also trusted advisors to some of the industry’s most significant producers and content investors.
The Head of Economics will be the technical lead for all of SPI’s economic impact work. They will be involved throughout a project’s life cycle – from proposal to final delivery and presentation, leading on designing methodologies, building economic models and communicating complicated economic impact results to non-expert stakeholders. We would expect the Head of Economics to also take an active role in new business acquisition and be integral to expanding our economic consultancy offer.
Building on our strong track record, the Head of Economics will continue to develop and improve SPI’s economics work, ensuring that the company continues to be a leader in measuring the impact of the screen sector while supporting the company’s expansion.
The Head of Economics will manage the work of our freelance economist, who undertakes key modelling and analysis. All our economic impact projects are project-managed and supported by our team of consultants and research analysts. There may be opportunities to grow the in-house economics capabilities as opportunities emerge.
General Roles and Responsibilities
Lead on the design, development and delivery of economic elements of our research studies, producing rigorous, accurate and best-in-class research
Manage and continually develop internal quality control approaches to ensure accuracy of all outputs
Manage the input of other team members, including the freelance economist
Prepare proposals
Regularly meet with clients and stakeholders, primarily online
Explain complex concepts and models to non-specialists
Provide ad hoc advice and guidance to all team members
Provide overall Quality Assurance for all economic aspects of our work
May be required to line manage one or more Research Analysts.
Professional Specifications
Essential
Degree in Economics, Econometrics or a related discipline
Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience (government, industry or consultancy)
Proven experience in quantitative economic analysis
Proven expertise in Input-Output modelling and familiarity with cost-benefit analysis
Strong report-writing and communication skills
Ability to explain and discuss complex concepts verbally to non-specialists, sometimes under pressure
Highly self-motivated with excellent attention to detail
Ability to multitask on simultaneous projects and work at pace
Collaborative team player who can work with different project managers and clients
Experience in developing new consultancy propositions (new products/services or methodological approaches) and converting them into revenue-generating work
Interest and knowledge of the screen sector, video games and adjacent sectors
Ability to work with large datasets and a good level of skill in Microsoft Excel.
Desirable
MSc or PhD in a related field
Experience with relevant programming languages and data analysis tools.
Practical Details
Full-time, permanent basis (following a six-month probationary period)
Based in SPI’s central London office. Our current policy is for team members to be in the office three days a week. We may allow a more remote working pattern for the right candidate
Competitive starting salary depending on experience and expertise
Twenty days of annual leave pro rata (in addition to office closure during the Christmas period and bank holidays)
Private health insurance and an allowance for streaming subscriptions.
We welcome applications from candidates who are underrepresented in the creative industries. We are open to discussing and, where possible, accommodating the flexibility that candidates may require.
Next Steps
If you would like to discuss the opportunity, please contact Eleanor Jubb, Associate Director at eleanor@o-spi.com.
To apply, please send your CV and submit a covering letter (maximum of 2 pages) that addresses the prompts below to info@o-spi.com.
The deadline for applications is 4th May 2026. We reserve the right to close the vacancy ahead of that deadline.
In your covering letter, please address the following prompts:
Motivation – What interests you about SPI and this Head of Economics role, and what would you prioritise in your first few months?
Relevant project example – Please describe one economic impact (or closely related) project that best demonstrates your fit for this role. Briefly cover: the objective and stakeholders, your role, the methodology/model (and why you chose that method), how you handled assumptions/limitations and uncertainty, and the deliverables and project outcomes.
Technical – Summarise your experience with Input-Output modelling and how you ensure robustness and appropriate interpretation of results.
Quality control and accuracy – What quality assurance and review processes do you use to ensure accuracy, reproducibility, and high-quality written outputs, particularly when working at pace?
Business development – Please outline your experience contributing to proposals and winning work. Include one example of how you helped drive growth or income generation in a consultancy or similar setting.
Sector interest – What interests you about the screen sector (film/TV/games) and adjacent sectors, and what role do you think economic analysis has in helping decision-makers?
We recognise that candidates may use AI tools (such as ChatGPT or Copilot) when preparing applications. Any submitted work must accurately reflect your own skills, experience, and thinking.