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.
About SPI
SPI helps shape the global screen sector. We work with governments, companies and partners around the world, providing industry intelligence, strategic insight, research and connections. We help our clients to navigate change and build a more valuable and visible sector.
Formed in 1992, we have become one of the leading international consultancies in this field. We have a global client base and are a trusted, recognised independent expert in the sector. Our work has focused on film, television and digital media such as video games, and we are exploring the emergence and convergence of creative technology and strategy across adjacent sectors.
SPI’s specialist advice, trusted vision and proven track record create high levels of new and repeat business from a diverse group of companies and organisations, including national and regional governments, film commissions and film institutes, heritage studios and streamers, private sector production companies and broadcasters.
With expertise in all areas of the fast‑moving global creative sector, SPI offers a wide range of services, including economic impact studies, global production advice, studio feasibility studies, infrastructure and workforce assessments, and business development strategies.
See our website for further information. Our Company Brochure can also be found here, which provides an overview of the company, our services, our clients and example projects.
Job Description
Role Overview
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
* 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
* 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.
* 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.
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