Senior Specialist

Role overview Economist Enterprise is the B2B division of The Economist Group. We help organisations understand global economic, geopolitical and technological change, make better strategic decisions and reach influential audiences through Information Services and Media Solutions. Grounded in The Economist Group ’ s values of independence, integrity and progress, Economist Enterprise brings together rigorous analysis, trusted insight and powerful channels of engagement to help leaders act with confidence in a volatile world. The role of Senior Expert, Tech & Innovation plays an important part in shaping and delivering Economist Enterprise ’ s work across both: Information Services, particularly EIU ’ s subscription-facing analysis and forecasting; and Media Solutions, particularly sponsored thought leadership, research, content and initiatives in Technology & Innovation. This role sits within the Global Head, Tech & Innovation team, reporting to the Global Head, Tech & Innovation, and has a strong global mandate. The Senior Expert will help design and deliver high-quality research, analysis and thought leadership on the technologies and innovation systems transforming economies, industries and societies, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, frontier technologies, digital infrastructure, competitiveness and innovation policy. The role is primarily one of content and intellectual leadership: shaping distinctive research programmes, ensuring analytical rigour, sharpening editorial quality and developing compelling, policy‑relevant insight for senior business, government and investor audiences. It also includes a meaningful EIU subscription component, with responsibility for contributing to technology and telecoms industry forecasts and analysis, helping to deliver current coverage while supporting the development of new, differentiated subscription products and IP in the tech space. The expected split may vary depending on business need, but is likely to be approximately one‑third EIU subscription work and two‑thirds sponsored thought leadership and related content. A successful Senior Expert will combine strong subject‑matter expertise in Tech & Innovation with editorial judgement, analytical strength, intellectual curiosity and excellent written and oral communication skills. They will be comfortable working across both client‑funded and subscription products, upholding Economist Enterprise ’ s editorial standards while delivering clear value to clients, subscribers and target audiences. How you will contribute 1) Sponsored thought leadership, research and content Serve as the Senior Expert on sponsored thought leadership programmes aligned with Technology & Innovation, with a particular focus on global themes in artificial intelligence, frontier technologies and innovation policy. Design and develop high‑quality programmes and oversee the production of reports, briefing papers, articles, executive briefs, multimedia content and other outputs, ensuring they reflect the latest trends, offer genuinely new insight and meet Economist Enterprise standards. Design, direct and leverage research teams to produce original insight and analysis using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Provide strong content leadership across projects, setting the intellectual direction of programmes and ensuring outputs are analytically rigorous, editorially sharp and relevant to target audiences. Write and communicate in clear, Economist‑style, jargon‑free prose. Undertake qualitative interviews with experts and stakeholders to inform the production of high‑quality insight and content. Direct external contributors and edit content outputs to ensure they meet quality standards and deliver value to clients and audiences. Manage multiple research projects and client relationships simultaneously. Take initial responsibility for quality of content outputs, day‑to‑day programme delivery and client satisfaction, working closely with partnership and commercial colleagues where relevant. Present interim and final deliverables to clients and stakeholders. 2) Information Services: EIU tech and telecoms analysis Contribute to the delivery and evolution of EIU ’ s technology and telecoms industry forecasts, reports and analysis, ensuring they are timely, analytically robust and commercially relevant. Develop and maintain strong expertise in the global technology and telecoms sectors, including market developments, adoption trends, regulation, investment dynamics, competitiveness and strategic risk. Help deliver current tech and telecoms forecast outputs while supporting improvements to coverage, format and cadence where needed. Contribute to EIU ’ s shift toward more global, thematic and strategic‑sector analysis, helping identify the major themes and sectors shaping the global outlook for business, investors and policymakers. Help develop differentiated research notes, data insights, scenario mapping and companion datasets that strengthen the value of EIU ’ s subscription offer in technology and adjacent strategic sectors. Use user signals, market developments and collaboration with subject‑matter experts across Economist Enterprise to inform topic selection and product priorities. Identify opportunities for new or enhanced subscription‑facing products, datasets, thematic series, alerts, hubs or other scalable propositions in the technology space. Work with relevant EIU colleagues to ensure that subscription‑facing technology analysis is aligned with wider Economist Enterprise themes and with user demand. 3) Subject‑matter expertise and intellectual leadership Serve as an expertise lead for core thematic areas and initiatives within Technology & Innovation, staying on top of global trends and developing ideas for new research, products and flagship initiatives. Help strengthen Economist Enterprise ’ s Tech & Innovation presence by identifying themes, debates and policy developments that can be translated into distinctive thought leadership, subscription content and commercially relevant programme ideas. Produce high‑quality, insight‑led editorial content in multiple formats, developing a clear editorial line and a distinct Economist Enterprise voice. Contribute to the articulation of Economist Enterprise ’ s perspective on major technology and innovation issues, with a focus on practical, policy‑relevant and commercially relevant insight for business, government and investor audiences. Support the development of Economist Enterprise ’ s and, where relevant, EIU ’ s house view on consequential technology questions facing business leaders, policymakers and wider society. Moderate, present research and represent Economist Enterprise externally at relevant events, briefings and client engagements. 4) Business development and proposition support Actively support business development by generating compelling ideas and proposals for Technology & Innovation opportunities. Partner effectively with commercial colleagues to shape client proposals, contribute to pitches and bring subject‑matter authority to programme design. Build and maintain relationships with key clients and external stakeholders to support development, renewal and growth. Support the development of new Technology & Innovation propositions across both Media Solutions and Information Services, helping connect editorial ideas, user needs and commercial opportunity. Contribute to proposal development and senior content leadership without carrying direct commercial targets. 5) Management and team development Coach, train and mentor colleagues in matters of career and personal development. Manage Managers, Senior Analysts and Analysts where relevant, including planning and overseeing project resourcing and development. Provide day‑to‑day direction and quality assurance across projects, while escalating broader team or strategic decisions to the Global Head as appropriate. Work with other parts of The Economist Group to secure valuable input to Economist Enterprise research, thought leadership and subscription‑facing products. Priority topic areas (indicative) The successful candidate will help define and evolve coverage, but expected areas may include: Artificial intelligence and the economy AI and the labour market, including job creation and displacement, skills transitions, wage polarisation and workforce strategy Productivity, growth and competitiveness, including firm‑level adoption, diffusion and barriers to scaling AI governance, including safety, accountability, transparency, auditability, standards and regulation Geopolitics of AI, including industrial policy, chips and compute, supply chains and national competitiveness Trust, information integrity and the social impacts of AI, including mis‑ and disinformation, public services and education Frontier and exponential technologies Quantum technologies, including computing, communications, sensing, sectoral implications and timelines Biotechnology and bio‑innovation, including health, synthetic biology, biomanufacturing, governance and ethics Space and the commercial space economy, including satellites, launch, earth observation, infrastructure, security and sustainability Advanced manufacturing and robotics, including automation, industrial AI, reshoring and resilience Next‑generation connectivity and infrastructure, including 5G/6G, edge/cloud and cybersecurity Energy‑ and climate‑adjacent innovation, including grid digitalisation, batteries and clean industrial technologies Technology, telecoms and strategic sectors Technology and telecoms industry outlooks, including market developments, investment trends, adoption dynamics and regulatory shifts Strategic sectors shaping the global economy and business landscape Technology adoption and diffusion across sectors Innovation policy and industrial strategy Competitiveness, resilience and economic transformation The intersection of technology, regulation, trade and economic security Public‑private collaboration to accelerate innovation and implementation The desirable skills, experience and qualifications for this role include Ten years or more of experience in research, analysis, consulting or journalism, with at least two years in a managerial or team‑leading role. Demonstrated subject‑matter expertise in Technology & Innovation, including one or more of the following: artificial intelligence, digital policy, frontier technologies, innovation systems, industrial strategy, technology governance, digital infrastructure, telecoms, cybersecurity, productivity or competitiveness. Strong knowledge of global policy, business and technology dynamics; experience working across regions, particularly with US and international issues, would be an advantage. Experience contributing to or producing forecast‑based, subscription or client‑facing analytical products in technology, telecoms or adjacent sectors would be an advantage. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to translate complex research and analysis into clear, jargon‑free prose that highlights key findings and implications. Strong editorial sensibilities and demonstrated ability to identify distinctive, high‑value insight that will resonate with senior audiences. Strong data and policy analysis skills, with experience working with both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Client management experience and comfort engaging directly with clients, partners and senior stakeholders. Experience contributing to proposal development and supporting business development activities. External credibility as a subject‑matter expert through publications, public speaking, media appearances or related profile. Curiosity about product development and a willingness to help shape new subscription propositions in technology and telecoms. Energy and desire to grow as part of a highly entrepreneurial team. The expected base salary for this position ranges from $100,000.00 - $125,000.00. It is not typical for offers to be made at or near the top of the range. Rather, salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. #LI-Hybrid #J-18808-Ljbffr