2027 UK Graduate Place Economist Career Path

Before making an application, please browse all graduate opportunities available as we will only accept one application per candidate. Once you have made an application you will not be able to make changes to your selection or make a new application. The exception is if we open new vacancies in the new year.

To avoid missing out on your preferred role, we recommend applying as early as possible, as positions will close once filled.

Application process

• Online strengths-based assessment
• Application form

CVs and cover letters are not required as part of the application process. Candidates will be assessed through a single-stage strengths-based interview.

Start your career with a global, employee-owned consultancy where your work can make a real difference. At Mott MacDonald, you'll work alongside experts, contribute to meaningful projects, and have the support, learning opportunities, and experience needed to grow your career from day one.

Job Description

Shape Places. Drive Growth. Create Lasting Impact.

At Mott MacDonald, we are driven by one purpose: improving society through innovation, collaboration and excellence. As a global management, engineering and development consultancy, we work with public and private sector clients to shape the future of communities, infrastructure and economies around the world.

Our success comes from the diverse perspectives, expertise and experiences of our people. We believe that the best solutions emerge when talented individuals work together in inclusive teams, bringing connected thinking to the most complex challenges. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported and empowered to thrive.

Together, we are opening opportunities with connected thinking.

About Cities Studio

This role sits within our award-winning Cities Studio team, where economists, planners and urban designers work side by side to create places that deliver lasting social, economic and environmental value.

Cities Studio works on high-profile projects across the UK and internationally. Our work spans:

• Economic development strategy and policy
• Town centre renewal and urban regeneration
• Transport hubs and transit-oriented development
• Mixed-use neighbourhoods and urban quarters
• Campus-style developments for healthcare, education and industry

By combining expertise across multiple disciplines, we help create places where people, businesses and communities can prosper.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Graduate Consultant to join our growing Place Economics team.

As a Place Economist, you will contribute to projects that influence how towns, cities and regions develop and thrive. You will work with public and private sector clients to develop economic strategies, business cases, impact assessments and funding solutions that support transformational development and regeneration programmes.

This is an exciting opportunity to begin your career in a supportive and collaborative environment where your ideas and contributions will be valued from day one. You will work alongside experienced economists, planners, urban designers and regeneration specialists, gaining exposure to a diverse portfolio of projects and learning from experts across the business.

As your career develops, you will have the opportunity to strengthen both your technical and consulting skills, build relationships with clients, take on increasing levels of responsibility and progress towards senior economist and leadership roles.

What You'll Do

As part of the Place Economics team, you will:

• Support the development of place-based strategies alongside colleagues in urban design, planning and masterplanning.
• Undertake evidence-based research to inform regeneration strategies and development programmes.
• Analyse economic, demographic and market data to establish robust baselines and inform decision-making.
• Assist in the preparation of 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 for clients.
• Support stakeholder engagement activities, including interviews and workshops.
• Produce high-quality reports, action plans, presentations and client-ready materials.
• Assist in developing qualitative and quantitative research tools and enhancing existing technical models.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions for communities.

Candidate Specification

We're looking for someone who is curious about how places develop, passionate about improving outcomes for communities and motivated to make a positive impact through their work.

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 would be advantageous.
• A genuine interest in socio-economics, placemaking and urban development.
• Experience gained through academic projects, internships, work experience or extracurricular activities related to economic development, regeneration, placemaking, transport-oriented development or similar fields.
• An interest in economic strategy, policy development, business cases and appraisal.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience of tools such as Microsoft Excel. Experience with GIS and statistical software would be beneficial.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly to different audiences.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• A creative and solution-focused mindset, coupled with strong attention to detail.
• Confidence working in a hybrid environment, collaborating with colleagues across multiple locations.

To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have less than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements).

Knowledge of land use economics and property development would be desirable, but we recognise that talent comes in many forms and encourage applications from candidates who are excited by the opportunity, even if they do not meet every requirement.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024.

Our ethos is to develop, train and retain our graduates and therefore we are looking for a long-term relationship with our graduates. For this reason, we cannot accept applications from candidates who would be working under the Graduate visa route or other time-limited visas, (irrespective of visa duration), due to their temporary nature and the requirement for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route in future.

We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

About your development

A graduate position should be more than just a job. We know this and so do you. That’s why with our graduate roles we aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge you need to progress your career. From the moment you join us, you’ll receive the training you need. You will be assigned a mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training needs. You will join our three-year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future, which is designed to give you the skills and tools necessary for a long-lasting successful career here at Mott MacDonald.

Our social side

Being part of Mott MacDonald means more than just work; there’s a huge range of fun and exciting things that you can get involved in.

From the moment you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your social and professional network, whether it’s meeting other graduates or joining forces with other members of staff from around the company at our annual sports day. Each of our offices have a sports and social committee which will give you the chance to be part of a variety of sports, social and charity events. We’re committed to promoting a strong culture of social responsibility and encourage our staff to play active roles in the local community.

It's worth noting that sports and social committees tend to vary from office to office, so as well as getting involved in what’s already on offer, don’t be afraid to suggest new events or initiatives that you think could be a great addition. It doesn’t stop there. From your first day, you’ll have access to Perks at Work, giving you discounts on cinema tickets, travel, utilities and much more, helping you make the most of our employee benefits.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• Biannual salary reviews: We believe hard work should be recognised and rewarded. To support your development and progression, you'll be eligible for salary reviews twice a year during your first three years with us, subject to successfully completing your probation period.
• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• 33 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.