Director of Economic Research

Career Guide

A Director of Economic Research leads a team that studies economic conditions, markets, and policy impacts. They translate complex data into clear insights that help leaders make decisions on strategy, pricing, risk, investment, and growth.

Browse All Roles

Key Responsibilities

Set the research agenda based on business or policy priorities
Lead economic forecasting and scenario planning
Oversee data collection, validation, and quality standards
Design and review research methods and analytical approaches
Turn findings into clear narratives for executives and stakeholders
Brief senior leaders on economic trends and key risks
Partner with finance, strategy, product, and policy teams
Manage and mentor economists and analysts
Review publications, presentations, and public statements for accuracy
Monitor external indicators such as inflation, employment, and rates

Top Skills for Success

Economic Forecasting

Quantitative Analysis

Statistical Modeling

Data Visualization

Research Design

Clear Writing

Executive Communication

Stakeholder Management

Team Leadership

Policy Analysis

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Economist

Lead Economist

Economic Research Manager

Head of Research

Transition Opportunities

Chief Economist

Vice President of Research

Director of Strategy

Director of Insights

Risk Analytics Director

Portfolio Strategy Director

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

People ManagementExecutive CommunicationResearch PrioritizationProduct ThinkingData Engineering BasicsChange Management

Development SuggestionsBuild a portfolio of executive-ready briefings, lead cross functional projects, practice forecasting with clear assumptions, and create repeatable research templates that improve speed and consistency.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelNot typical for this role

Mid LevelUSD 170,000 to 230,000

Senior LevelUSD 230,000 to 320,000

Growth Trend

Stable to growing demand, especially in financial services, consulting, technology platforms, and public policy organizations. Hiring tends to rise during periods of economic uncertainty and major regulatory change.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Federal Reserve BanksInternational Monetary FundWorld BankOECDMoody's AnalyticsS&P GlobalFitch RatingsGoldman SachsJPMorgan ChaseBlackRockMcKinseyBoston Consulting Group

Industry Sectors

BankingAsset ManagementInsuranceConsultingGovernmentCentral BankingThink TanksEconomic Data ProvidersTechnologyReal Estate

Recommended Next Steps

Publish a short monthly economic outlook with clear calls to action

Create a forecasting model with documented assumptions and back testing

Build a dashboard that tracks a small set of key indicators

Lead a cross functional project tied to pricing, risk, or growth

Prepare a board level presentation focused on scenarios and decisions

Strengthen leadership skills through mentoring and structured feedback