Lead Economist

STV is actively seeking a highly experienced Lead Economist for employment in our West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle) and Texas region offices (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio).

STV's Infrastructure Economics group is a multidisciplinary team with staff across the U.S. We work closely with engineering, architectural and planning disciplines to conduct applied economic analyses that support project development, policy, and investment decision-making. The successful candidate will serve as both a technical expert and mentor, leading business development and program management efforts, guiding complex assignments, managing teams, and engaging directly with clients.

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Lead complex economic projects, including benefit-cost analyses, socioeconomic assessments, traffic and revenue forecasts, policy and technology evaluations, and climate-related economic studies.

• Supervise, mentor, and develop junior economists while fostering collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams.

• Build and manage economic and forecasting models to inform large-scale infrastructure and urban planning projects.

• Deliver high-quality reports, presentations, and executive briefings to clients and stakeholders.

• Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal writing, presentations, and cultivating long-term client relationships.

• Represent STV's thought leadership in transportation, infrastructure economics, and policy discussions.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree in economics, statistics, business, civil infrastructure engineering, or a related field.

• 15-20 years of professional experience in applied economics, with expertise in infrastructure and transportation.

• Demonstrated ability to lead economic projects and manage teams in a professional consulting environment.

• Proven client-facing experience, with strong skills in presenting to and advising senior decision-makers.

• Advanced spreadsheet and data management skills (MS Excel); strong command of MS Office (Word, PowerPoint).

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with applied econometrics or advanced forecasting expertise.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing benefit-cost models and micro-econometric studies with large datasets.

• Expertise in traffic and revenue forecasting and transportation/infrastructure economics.

• Knowledge of economic studies related to climate change, sustainability, water resources and environmental policy.

• Familiarity with urban planning and related policy issues.

• Experience in applied econometrics, advanced forecasting, and economic simulation modeling.

• Recognized professional leadership through industry publications, presentations, or professional associations.

• Background in consulting, with demonstrated expertise in stakeholder management, problem-solving, and translating complex economic analyses into practical strategies.

• Proven experience in business development, including proposal preparation, client engagement, and building long-term consulting relationships.

• Additional consideration for candidates with expertise in land use and real estate economics, or experience developing and applying innovative financial models.

Compensation Range:

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At STV, we are fully committed to expanding our culture of diversity and inclusion, one that will reflect the clients we serve and the communities we work in, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

STV offers the following benefits * Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account * Dental insurance * Vision insurance * Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) * Disability insurance * Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment * 401(k) Plan * Retirement Counseling * Employee Assistance Program * Paid Time Off (16 days) * Paid Holidays (8 days) * Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) * Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) * Continuing Education Program * Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV's good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.