Since 1961, NERA (https://www.nera.com) has provided unparalleled guidance on the most important market, legal, and regulatory questions of the day. Our work has shaped industries and policy around the world. Our field-leading experts and deep experience allow us to provide rigorous analysis, reliable expert testimony, and data-powered policy recommendations for the world’s leading law firms and corporations as well as regulators and governments. Our experience, integrity, and economic ingenuity mean clients depend on us in the face of their biggest economic and financial challenges.

We are seeking candidates with a PhD in Economics to apply to join NERA’s Auckland office as a Consultant.

The New Zealand team is part of a global network of leading economic and industry experts, involved in high-stakes legal and regulatory proceedings in New Zealand, Australia and Asia, spanning a broad cross section of industries and business lines. The group has advised on numerous high-profile cases including, but not limited to, mergers and acquisitions, cartel investigations, damage quantification, abuse of dominance, vertical and horizontal agreements, and State aid. This might include addressing questions such as:

• Would a merger between New Zealand’s two major newspapers substantially lessen competition?
• Is the fuel market competitive?
• What is a reasonable price for accessing regulated infrastructure such as broadband and electricity networks?
• How should water rights be allocated?
• Is the current design of the wholesale electricity market resulting in efficient outcomes?
• What are the economic costs of using different fuels to decarbonise long distance heavy road freight?
• What loss has a party suffered due to a breach of contract?
• How material is the damage that consumers have suffered due to collusive pricing by suppliers?

Consultants at NERA will have the opportunity to:

• Apply the technical skills and knowledge gained during their studies to rigorous and independent client work.

• Contribute to writing independent expert reports that are filed with courts, regulators and policy makers.

• Conduct high-powered economic research across a wide variety of industries
• Perform cutting-edge economic analysis on complex real-life issues
• Write research reports and client presentations for senior staff and clients to help them make informed economic decisions
• Have responsibility for conducting econometric analysis, economic valuations and analytical studies
• Develop economic models to explain the competitive dynamics of industries, which will require performing extensive quantitative analyses to test model hypotheses and evaluate the structure of industries
• Assess the impact of mergers and acquisitions on competition as well as calculate damages for litigation, and other antitrust as well as litigation issues
• Work directly with counsel and clients to discuss analyses and methodology, both in meetings and through direct correspondence.
• Influence/direct project strategy, including the preparation and presentation of oral and written testimony
• Collaborate with in-house experts and outside academics
• Manage client relationships
• Develop and strengthen both project and people management skills

You will need

• To hold a PhD in Economics, with a strong academic record. Candidates should have completed their PhD by the time they join.
• Applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong presentation and project management skills, and the ability to think creatively to solve complex problems.
• Experience in manipulation, visualisation and analysis of large datasets
• Strong technical ability in R or Stata.
• Project management experience would be an advantage
• To possess excellent English oral and written communication skills
• To be detail-oriented with the ability to think analytically and critically, and to work under tight deadlines
• To be willing to travel if required

What we offer

NERA provides a challenging and rewarding professional experience with competitive compensation. You will be working in a collegial and intellectually challenging environment where independent and innovative thought is encouraged and rewarded. The Auckland team has a flat structure, so from the outset you will have exposure to client projects, which include working with law firms, corporates and regulators. The team works on high-stakes and complex issues and disputes, so the work is intellectually rewarding and constantly evolving.

Elements of the programme include:

• A comprehensive orientation programme
• Skill enhancement training sessions including Project Management and Business Development,
• The support of Business Development and Marketing Managers responsible for providing tailored and strategic business development services to assist consultants in their development into testifying experts
• Formal performance evaluations

How to apply

For more information about NERA, please visit our website (www.nera.com). To apply for this position or to find out about other opportunities, please submit your CV, cover letter, job market paper and transcripts directly to this posting. For questions, email nerarecruitment@nera.com.

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NERA’s clients value our ability to apply and communicate state-of-the-art approaches clearly and convincingly, our commitment to delivering unbiased findings, and our reputation for quality and independence. Our clients rely on the integrity and skills of our unparalleled team of economists, backed by the resources and reliability of one of the world’s largest economic consultancies. NERA serves clients from more than 25 offices across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. NERA provides an environment in which dedication to client and project success, individual professional development, and fun are at the forefront. The work environment is collegial, and there are numerous opportunities to learn and connect with staff at all levels.

Marsh (NYSE: MRSH) is a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With annual revenue of over $27 billion and more than 95,000 colleagues, Marsh helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information, visit corporate.marsh.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

As part of Marsh (NYSE: MRSH) Management Consulting, NERA Economic Consulting (http://www.nera.com/) is a global firm of experts dedicated to applying economic, finance, and quantitative principles to complex business and legal challenges. For half a century, NERA's economists have been creating strategies, studies, reports, expert testimony, and policy recommendations for government authorities and the world's leading law firms and corporations. We bring academic rigor, objectivity, and real world industry experience to bear on issues arising from competition, regulation, public policy, strategy, finance, and litigation.

Marsh is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and flexible work environment. We aim to attract and retain the best people and embrace diversity of age, background, disability, ethnic origin, family duties, gender orientation or expression, marital status, nationality, parental status, personal or social status, political affiliation, race, religion and beliefs, sex/gender, sexual orientation or expression, skin color, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Marsh is committed to hybrid work, which includes the flexibility of working remotely and the collaboration, connections and professional development benefits of working together in the office. All Marsh colleagues are expected to be in their local office or working onsite with clients at least three days per week. Office-based teams will identify at least one “anchor day” per week on which their full team will be together in person.