Job Description

​Working for City Hall makes a difference to the lives of Londoners. Our staff are at the centre of long-term planning and development for our great city.

Communities & Skills

Collaborative, open, inclusive and fair - we work with and through partners to ensure Londoners can shape healthy, empowered and productive lives Communities and Skills is led by Executive Director, Tunde Olayinka and is comprised of the following units: Young London and Communities, Social and Economic Inclusion, Skills and Employment, Public Health and Performance and Improvement.

About the team

The Insights Team, established in 2020, is a specialist economics team that supports policy development and programme delivery across the Skills and Employment (S&E) Unit. Since then, the team has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality evidence, analysis and research that informs decision-making across the GLA’s skills and employment agenda. The team plays a key role in sharing insights and evidence to support data-driven policymaking and programme delivery across London, working closely with stakeholders including the Department for Education (DfE), Skills England, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), London Councils, providers and other sector partners.

The team sits at the heart of the Unit’s analytical function, providing the evidence base for major policy developments, managing and analysing key skills datasets, publishing official statistics, supporting programme evaluation, and responding to a wide range of strategic and operational analytical needs. Its work spans skills funding, learner outcomes, labour market participation, programme performance, cost-benefit analysis, research commissioning, and the monitoring and evaluation of skills and employment programmes. Through this work, the team helps ensure that policy, commissioning and investment decisions are grounded in robust evidence and a strong understanding of London’s skills and labour market landscape.

About the role

The Principal Economist provides expert economic analysis and evidence to support the development, delivery and evaluation of a wide range of skills and employment policies and programmes led by the Greater London Authority (GLA), including the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Skills Bootcamps and Connect to Work. The role is responsible for ensuring that policy and programme delivery are informed by robust analysis, high-quality evidence and a strong understanding of London’s skills system, labour market and wider economic challenges.

Working within the Insights Team, the postholder will play a key role in delivering the analytical function of the Skills and Employment Unit. This includes managing and analysing major skills datasets, producing official statistics, supporting programme evaluation, undertaking economic appraisal and cost-benefit analysis, and responding to strategic and operational evidence needs. The role also involves working closely with colleagues across the GLA and external stakeholders, including government departments, London Councils, providers and sector partners, to support evidence-based policymaking and improve outcomes for Londoners.

What your day will look like

The Principal Economist will:

• Provide high quality economic information, analysis and advice to inform the GLA’s skills and employment strategy and policy development, with a focus on supporting the GLA’s on-going responsibility of adult skills provision and funding.
• Lead on research projects and initiatives commissioned by the GLA. These are likely to involve joint working with other teams, organisations and sectors.
• Analyse complex datasets, including the Individualised Learner Record (ILR), Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data and the London Learner Survey, to support evidence-based policymaking and programme delivery.
• Help the GLA identify and articulate its requirements for economic and statistical data to support skills and employment provision across London to ensure these needs are effectively met. Contribute to the development of a more open, accessible and evidence-driven approach to data on skills, qualifications, learner progression and earnings, helping to improve decision-making and outcomes for Londoners, employers and policymakers, while ensuring that appropriate standards of data privacy, security and governance are maintained.
• Help maintain the GLA’s position as a trusted and authoritative source of data, evidence and analysis on London’s skills system and labour market. Support the production and dissemination of high-quality insights, statistics and research to inform policy development, programme delivery and public debate, while engaging effectively with policymakers, providers and other key stakeholders.
• Be responsible for managing staff and resources allocated to the role, in line with the GLA’s policies, Code of Ethics and Standards. The postholder will provide effective leadership and support to team members, ensuring that work is delivered to a high standard, resources are used efficiently, and organisational objectives are achieved.

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

1. A degree or professional qualification in economics or a related subject, preferably to post-graduate level, or an ability to demonstrate the equivalent level of knowledge through professional experience in economics or a related field.
2. Successful track record of conducting research and / or complex analysis to inform policy and strategy development. Experience of working with the Individualised Learner Record or similar datasets (e.g. National Pupil Database, Higher Statistics Agency Data, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs data or the London Learner Survey) is desirable.
3. Strong evidence of computer literacy including proficiency in using project management, spreadsheet, database and presentation software. Demonstrated capacity to use specialised statistical software packages (e.g. Python, R, SQL, Stata) for statistical and econometric analysis.
4. Demonstrable experience of managing staff and resources, providing effective leadership and support to teams, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality outcomes. Proven ability to allocate resources efficiently, develop staff, and drive performance in support of organisational goals and priorities.
5. Evidence of clear personal, verbal and written communication skills, and of ability to communicate complex issues to a range of audiences effectively, including using data visualisation techniques.
6. Broad knowledge about labour markets and education policy in London, or demonstrated capacity to acquire expertise and provide economic advice in policy areas relevant to the work of the GLA Group.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Dr Héctor Espinoza would be happy to speak to you. Please contact him at: Hector.Espinoza@london.gov.uk

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

Assessment process

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is: w/c 14 September 2026.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

More Support

If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.

Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

In addition to a good salary package, we offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.