Principal Economics Consultant

AECOM Ireland Ltd; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure consulting firm in Dublin is seeking a Principal Economics Consultant to join their Transportation team. The ideal candidate will have a degree in economics and experience in public sector economics. Responsibilities include managing economic consulting projects and client relationships. The role offers a hybrid working model and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Flexible working model

Health and well-being programs

Qualifications

• Ability to convey complex economic issues clearly.
• Experience in a consulting firm or relevant public sector organization.
• Strong analytic skills and economic modelling capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver economic consulting projects on time and budget.
• Manage client relationships throughout assignments.
• Identify new business opportunities for the economics team.

Skills

Public sector economics

Analytical techniques

Economic analysis

Data management

Business development

Technical writing

Education

Degree/Masters in economics or related field

Tools

Cost-benefit analysis techniques

Job description

Job Description

Are you ready to challenge the boundaries of what's possible? AECOM continues to expand their successful Economics team in Dublin. As part of a wider growth initiative linked to our strategic plan, we are currently seeking to appoint a Principal Economics Consultant to join our growing Transportation team.

About You

The successful candidate will be able to show a clear understanding of public sector economics and policy, in an infrastructure, transportation and sustainability context, and be fully conversant with current and emerging research and analytical techniques. We are looking for an ambitious team player who wishes to assist in developing and communicating innovative and effective approaches to the analysis of public expenditure in a collaborative environment. The role would suit a self‑motivated individual looking to advance their career in a dynamic team.

The economics team in Dublin is part of a 600‑person Transportation Consulting team spread across UK and Ireland. The team provides economic input into transportation and infrastructure projects, and therefore adopts a highly collaborative approach. It prepares Economic Impact Assessments and appraisal documents (including cost‑benefit analyses), with many projects requiring compliance with the Infrastructure Guidelines (IGs) and Public Spending Code (PSC). The team is involved in the evaluation of public spending programmes, has a focus on creating the evidence base for policy, provides economic advice to a variety of government departments and policymakers, while also working for private sector clients.

Our current portfolio of works comprises a diverse mix of studies. A selection of our recent projects includes:

• Research and evaluation advice for Transport Infrastructure Ireland including development of aspects of their "Project Appraisal Guidelines", evaluation of major projects, preparation of business cases and ad hoc advice on issues such as mainstreaming sustainability into transport schemes.
• Leading the delivery of the Detailed Business Case for the DART+ scheme, a major capital investment programme that will transform Dublin’s heavy rail network. This work involves engaging with AECOM’s transport modelling team, modelling the economic and financial impacts of the programme, and supporting the development of the business case document.
• Economics advisory services for the National Transport Authority of Ireland, including drafting business case guidance on ex‑post assessments, reviewing business case submissions for accuracy and completeness, and developing detailed business cases on active travel investments.
• A long‑term engagement with Failte Ireland to develop early‑stage business cases and strategic assessments for a variety of tourism investments across Ireland.
• Developing preliminary business cases, including undertaking the financial appraisal and cost‑benefit analysis for a range of sporting investments for Sports Ireland.
• Various cost‑benefit analyses – economic and financial appraisals for public sector projects, according to the Public Spending Code for various state entities and county councils.
• Measuring and evaluating public realm improvements in towns for various county councils.

Here’s what you’ll do:

• Technical excellence in carrying out economic consulting projects.
• Taking ownership of complex projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and meeting the client’s expectations.
• Managing the relationship between AECOM and clients as assignments are progressed.
• Management of projects in accordance with AECOM project management processes, while upholding the systems AECOM has in place for effective project management.
• Communicating the results of our work to a range of audiences.
• Identifying opportunities for the AECOM economics team, and converting these into sales.
• Drive sales through effective bid management and delivery, while ensuring AECOM’s proposals are commercially viable.
• Working collaboratively and iteratively within multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Contributing ideas and innovative approaches to all projects.
• Collaborating colleagues throughout AECOM to develop and realise business growth opportunities.
• Having the technical ability, knowledge and competence to provide guidance to teach and develop junior staff.

Come grow with us

We develop projects from concept through to operation providing engineering and construction services for multiyear, multimillion‑dollar projects for major rail and transit agencies. Our specialists provide analytical and strategic expertise for every stage of a project.

And let's not forget about the 'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customized to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work‑life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

Qualifications

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Degree/Masters qualification in an economics subject (e.g. economics, finance, mathematics, geography, engineering) from an accredited college or university, or overall equivalent experience.
• Excellent technical skills and strong personal initiative.
• Experience working in a similar role in a consulting firm, a relevant public sector organisation or industry.
• Public sector focus, as many of our clients are government and statutory agencies.
• Working knowledge of infrastructure business case, economic analysis (cost benefit analysis, cost effectiveness analysis), and financial appraisal guidelines in Ireland or internationally.
• Experience with monetising non‑market benefits using revealed preference, stated preference, or benefit transfer methods in situations with limited data.
• Ability to convey complex economic issues to a diverse range of audiences, in a clear and concise manner.
• Experience of business development relating to new opportunities.
• Strong analytic skills, data management and statistics, economic modelling and econometric capabilities.
• Development of solutions to issues such as infrastructure investment, labour markets, education and skills, deprivation and social inclusion, inward investment and business development.
• Preparation of clear, well‑written, reports based on project outcomes.
• Experience and interest in transport sector economics would be an advantage, as would the economics of climate change, sustainability or tourism.

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at

At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives.

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!

Additional Information

Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public‑ and private‑sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well‑being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry‑leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ReqID: J10133137

Business Line: Transportation

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India

Career Area: Consulting Services

Work Location Model: Hybrid

Legal Entity: AECOM Ireland Limited