Economic Consultant

Join Volterra – Help shape the future of UK infrastructure and development

We’re looking for motivated and commercially aware consultants to join our friendly and intellectually curious team. Whilst we are actively hiring at the consultant level, we are open to receiving high quality applications at other levels across Volterra, including Senior Consultant, Principal Consultant and Associate.

Please send your CV and a cover letter to Nicola Pallai ([email protected]) and Adam Sands ([email protected]) if you are interested in this role. Your application will not be considered without a cover letter.

Volterra is a socio-economic consultancy specialising in estimating the impact of major infrastructure and development. We work with both public and private sector clients to analyse and understand the impacts of transformative developments, policy proposals, and sector-specific initiatives on local, regional, and national economies.

Our core areas of work include:

• Development, property and regeneration
• National infrastructure
• Strategy, appraisal and evaluation

As part of our dynamic team, you'll have the opportunity to work on some of the most high-profile and innovative projects in the country. Our recent portfolio includes major developments in the capital such as Truman Brewery and the London Olympia Exhibition Centre, as well as an increasing number of projects outside London, such as Cambridge Science Park and the proposed Marlow Film Studios. We've also been instrumental in shaping funding bids in the Midlands and Wales, and are currently contributing to cutting-edge green energy, mass transit and national freight infrastructure projects.

Our team regularly:

• Makes the strategic and economic case for property development and national infrastructure;
• Authors HMT Green Book compliant business cases for public funding;
• Produces vision, strategy and economic storytelling reports for regeneration initiatives and infrastructure proposals;Offer strategic advice on inclusive economic growth and skills strategies;
• Produces socio-economic baselines, economic models and cost-benefit analysis;
• Presents evidence at public inquiries and challenge the status quo (policy documents, site allocations, public guidance); and
• Authors documents for planning applications (socio-economic chapters, economic benefit statements, equality impact assessments, health impact assessments, employment and skills strategies, social value statements).

You’ll thrive at Volterra if…

• You’re energised by big questions – ranging from the future of infrastructure and housing to the economics of health, transport, and climate resilience;
• You’re commercially curious – keen to understand how businesses, places, and people interact, and to bring this thinking into your work;
• You want to shape the debate – using evidence, analysis, and storytelling to influence decision-makers across the public and private sectors;
• You’re ready to explore new tools – including AI and data-driven approaches – to push the boundaries of how consultancy is delivered;
• You are AI-competent and want to utilise technology to augment and enhance your capabilities;
• You like working in small, agile teams – where your ideas count, your initiative is valued, and you get responsibility from day one;
• You enjoy variety – moving between projects on renewable energy, major developments, regeneration strategies, and nationally significant infrastructure;
• You’re motivated by impact – keen to see how your analysis directly supports projects that change the way people live, work, and move; and
• You bring clarity to complexity – able to untangle data, policy, and context into clear, compelling insights.

About the role

You will work with high-profile clients and make an impact on some of the most exciting economic development projects across the UK. From multinationals to government departments and major property developers, you’ll gain exposure to a wide range of industries while developing a unique blend of skills in both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Tasks include:

• Develop innovative methodologies that set the standard for socio-economic impact analysis;
• Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative research that shapes the future of socio-economic impact studies and influences key decision-makers;
• Work directly with clients through report writing, presentations, and regular liaison, ensuring you build strong relationships and a deep understanding of client needs;
• Collaborate on proposals and help drive new business opportunities, directly contributing to Volterra’s growth; and
• Be encouraged to explore new business areas that align with your personal interests, with days set aside for research projects.

At Volterra, we invest in talent and offer you the flexibility to shape your career. You’ll have the support to grow, with tailored opportunities that match your strengths. We foster innovation and personal growth, providing time for all team members to explore new areas of interest and contribute fresh ideas that push our projects forward.

What we offer

We offer a competitive and enjoyable work package consisting of:

• Direct access to leadership – as a small company, you’ll have one-on-one time with the Senior Leadership Team, working closely with industry leaders;
• A strong start – our tailored six-week onboarding programme ensures you’re up to speed quickly, with direct involvement with the senior team from day one;
• Competitive salary – your gross annual pay is competitive, dependent on experience and reviewed annually to reflect your growth and performance;
• Discretionary bonuses – enjoy bi-annual bonuses based on company profit and individual performance;
• Innovation rewards – we value innovative thinking and recognise outstanding contributions with rewards. This includes quarterly rewards for innovative thinking, and a more substantial major ideas award;
• Generous holiday package – 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, additional gifted time at Christmas, and the option to buy up to 5 days extra holidays;
• Hybrid working – balance work with life through our hybrid model: three days in the office and two days from home each week, along with the option to take an additional 15 days’ working away from the office each year;
• Flexible Fridays – enjoy the option to finish at 1pm on Fridays when time and workload allows, whether by working longer hours earlier in the week or after a busy period, offering you extra flexibility while keeping our client commitments on track;
• Personalised training – your growth is important to us. Work with the Senior Leadership Team to create a training plan that suits your needs;
• Social events – Varied and regular work socials organised by the team; and
• Health cash plan – Benefit from our Bupa health cash plan for added peace of mind.

What you need to apply

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone passionate about economics, development, and sustainability to make a real impact while building a rewarding career. If you’re intellectually curious, eager to learn, we’d love to hear from you!

What we’re looking for: 

• At least one year of professional experience – in quantitative data analysis, including finding, cleaning, critically analysing, and presenting insights from data;
• A degree with a 2:1 or higher (or equivalent) in any discipline – while many of our team members have backgrounds in economics, we welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and value applicants who can bring a different perspective to our industry;
• AI-ready mindset – keen to explore how new tools (including AI) can enhance the way we work, augment our capabilities and improve the value we deliver for clients;
• Research and analytical capability – able to structure problems, explore evidence, and develop clear and compelling insights;
• Proactivity and responsibility – comfortable taking initiative, shaping your role, and seeking opportunities in your areas of interest;
• Strong communication skills – with confidence in writing, presenting, and working with clients;
• Organised and commercially aware approach – able to manage tasks efficiently and deliver to client needs;
• Competence with Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; and
• Experience with statistical or spatial software – e.g. R, Python, GIS is a plus, but not essential, although we value enthusiasm to learn.

Application process

Please send your CV and a cover letter to Nicola Pallai ([email protected]) and Adam Sands ([email protected]). 

When drafting your cover letter outlining why you think you would be a great fit for Volterra, please refer to our core values, found and explained here on our website:

• Compelling insights and narratives
• Embracing uncertainty
• Innovating and adapting
• Collaborative and cohesive team

Please let us know whether or not you have the right to work in the UK without requiring employer sponsorship, with a simple yes or no at this stage.

Don’t meet all the requirements?

Studies show that candidates from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every qualification. At Volterra, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, so if you’re excited about this role but unsure if you meet all criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might be the perfect fit!