Graduate Economist 2027

Bright Network; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Arup is a global consultant delivering advisory and technical expertise across 150+ disciplines. We offer graduates the chance to contribute to economic consulting on climate, cities, transport, energy and infrastructure in the UK.

The Economics and case making team within CPD focuses on strategy, analysis and economic modelling for high-profile projects. Successful applicants typically hold a relevant degree and have 0–12 months in a similar role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Business & Commerce, Geography or Geospatial Science.
• Experience in economic analysis and modelling is preferred.
• Familiarity with cost–benefit and economic appraisal methods.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice on inclusive economic growth and innovation.
• Build the case for investment with Green Book–compliant business cases.
• Conduct economic appraisal, analysis and modelling.
• Contribute to policy and placemaking.
• Develop vision and strategy for regeneration and development sites.

Skills

Economic analysis

Cost–benefit analysis

Development economics

Environmental economics

MS Excel

MS Word

PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor's degree (Economics / Business & Commerce / Geography & Geospatial Science)

Tools

MS Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

You see the world through a unique lens and that’s exactly what we need. We embrace how you see things differently – it’s essential for creating a sustainable future.

Arup is a global consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We guide, plan and design the future of the built environment. Globally, each year we recruit hundreds of graduates and students who help us see things differently and solve the most complex challenges facing our clients, climate and communities.

The opportunity

The Economics and case making team sit within the Cities, Planning and Design (CPD) portfolio and provides strategy, planning, and economic consulting services to a range of high-profile clients. We work on issues including climate, cities, transport, energy, water, property, regeneration and infrastructure.

• Strategic advice on inclusive economic growth and innovation.
• Building the case for investment, including His Majesty's Treasury (HMT) Green Book–compliant business cases.
• Economic appraisal, analysis and modelling.
• Policy and placemaking.
• Vision and strategy for regeneration and development sites.

Is this role right for you?

For this opportunity, we are seeking the following qualifications, skills and attributes: A bachelor's degree in relevant academic discipline, such as Economics; Business & Commerce; Geography & Geospatial Science.

Skills and experience we are looking for:

• Economic analysis and modelling
• Cost–benefit analysis
• Development, Transport, and Environmental Economics
• MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

To be considered for a graduate opportunity, your application must include a copy of your academic transcript and meet the following criteria:

• Full working rights in the country of application
• No more than 12 months of full-time experience in a comparable role
• Recently graduated, or on track to graduate, from your most recent degree, related to your role of choice, before employment starts.

Alongside your degree, we look for the following core attributes;

• You care about sustainable development and want to see your work make a genuine difference.
• You think critically, ask hard questions, and are genuinely open to new approaches.
• You are curious, actively seek feedback, and look for ways to keep developing.
• You are comfortable with uncertainty and adapt readily as projects and priorities evolve.
• You think critically.

Please note, in the event of high applicant volume, this role may be closed ahead of the advertised closing date.

Eligibility Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Therefore, you must ensure that you are eligible to work permanently in the UK without our sponsorship.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling permanent members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We take an approach to flexible working that supports the diversity and wellbeing of our graduates.

We also provide for our permanent members Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas - this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. We will do everything we can to support you.

As a Disability Confident Level 2 Employer in the UK, we will strive for one third of all our interview places to be allocated to candidates who have disclosed they are disability confident and best meet the requirements of the role.