UK Graduate Place Economist Career Path

About Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald is a global, employee-owned consultancy focused on improving society through innovation, collaboration, and excellence. They work with public and private sector clients on projects that shape communities, infrastructure, and economies worldwide.

About Cities Studio

This role is part of the award-winning Cities Studio team, which comprises economists, planners, and urban designers working together to create places that deliver lasting social, economic, and environmental value. Their projects include economic development strategy and policy, town centre renewal, transport hubs, mixed-use neighbourhoods, and campus developments.

The Opportunity

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Graduate Consultant to join their Place Economics team. As a Place Economist, you will contribute to projects influencing the development and prosperity of towns, cities, and regions. You will work with clients to develop economic strategies, business cases, impact assessments, and funding solutions for transformational development and regeneration programmes. This role offers a supportive environment to begin your career, with opportunities to gain exposure to diverse projects, learn from experts, and develop technical and consulting skills. Progression towards senior economist and leadership roles is possible.

What You'll Do

As part of the Place Economics team, you will:

• Support the development of place-based strategies with urban design, planning, and masterplanning colleagues.
• Conduct evidence-based research for regeneration strategies and development programmes.
• Analyse economic, demographic, and market data to establish baselines and inform decisions.
• Assist in preparing economic and financial appraisals.
• Support the delivery of Five Case Business Cases, feasibility studies, and economic impact assessments.
• Contribute to economic development strategies, policy advice, and funding approaches.
• Support stakeholder engagement activities, including interviews and workshops.
• Produce high-quality reports, action plans, presentations, and client-ready materials.
• Assist in developing research tools and enhancing technical models.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions.

Candidate Specification

We are looking for individuals who are curious about place development, passionate about community outcomes, and motivated to make a positive impact.

You will bring:

• A degree in Economics, Economic Development, Finance, Geography, Social Science, Urban Planning, or a related discipline (obtained no earlier than 2025). A Master's degree is advantageous.
• A genuine interest in socio-economics, placemaking, and urban development.
• Experience from academic projects, internships, work experience, or extracurricular activities related to economic development, regeneration, placemaking, or transport-oriented development.
• An interest in economic strategy, policy development, business cases, and appraisal.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in tools like Microsoft Excel. GIS and statistical software experience would be beneficial.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• A creative, solution-focused mindset with strong attention to detail.
• Confidence working in a hybrid environment.

Eligibility: You will have less than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements).

Knowledge of land use economics and property development is desirable but not essential.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald is not offering sponsorship for the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. They cannot accept applications from candidates who would be working under the Graduate visa route or other time-limited visas due to their temporary nature. Applications are welcome from candidates eligible for alternative UK immigration routes that do not require sponsorship.

Development and Benefits

• Development: A three-year early careers soft skills development programme ('Accelerating your Future'), mentoring, and formal training opportunities. Biannual salary reviews during the first three years.
• Financial Wellbeing: Pension contributions matched between 4.5% and 7%, life assurance, income protection, flexible benefits, and annual bonus schemes.
• Health and Wellbeing: Private medical insurance, health cash plan, access to menopause experts via Peppy, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
• Lifestyle: 33 days holiday (increasing to 35 after 5 years), with options to buy or sell leave. Discounts from high-street retailers.
• Family and Carers Leave: Enhanced policies for maternity, adoption, paternity/partner leave, and shared parental leave. Additional paid leave for those with significant caring responsibilities.
• Employee Ownership: A culture of shared success with opportunities for personal and group performance bonuses, and a pathway towards ownership for senior roles.

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid Working: A hybrid working policy is in place, balancing client, team, and personal commitments.
• Agile Working: Encouraged to work in the most effective way to meet commitments.

Application Process

• Apply as early as possible as positions close once filled.
• Online strengths-based assessment.
• Application form.
• CVs and cover letters are not required.
• Assessment will be through a single-stage strengths-based interview.