Senior Economist

What you’ll do day-to-day:

• Work with the Principal Economist to develop and execute a research and insights agenda related to entrepreneurship, small business trends, and labor and workforce trends.
• Conduct quantitative analysis of platform and external data using everything from basic analysis to advanced econometrics and data science techniques.
• Design and implement original surveys (with support).
• Partner in the design and execution of mixed methods research.
• Identify the data and methods needed to produce robust, unbiased research and new metrics that address knowledge gaps and informs new policy and strategy.
• Design and author regular and special topics reports and analysis, aligned with the research agenda.
• Stay abreast of latest academic literature related to entrepreneurship, small business, employment and labor market dynamics. Be a subject matter expert on these issues.
• Represent Gusto research and analysis externally to media, policy, customer, and partner audiences.
• Coordinate and build relationships with Gusto’s Data Science, Policy, Communications and User Experience (UX) and Product teams to better incorporate research results into company product and strategy.
• Serve as an advocate and influencer for the rest of the business to develop the ability to collect and use data, research, and analysis for greater long-term growth.

What we’re looking for:

• Graduate degree in Economics, Quantitative Sociology, Public Policy or related quantitative discipline. Ph.D. or commensurate work experience preferred.
• At least four years of professional experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor communication to business, media/press, academic, technical and political audiences.
• Strong quantitative analysis skills, including advanced skills in R/Python/Stata. Knowledge of SQL is not a prerequisite for hire, but will be required for success in the position.
• Curious mind with a strong ability to develop meaningful and relevant research questions about entrepreneurship and work, and pursue a practical research program to answer them.
• Understanding of publicly available data sources and how they can be paired/used to conduct research and derive insights.
• Experience with quantitative research and analysis in the area of labor economics, or entrepreneurship/ small business dynamics.
• Enthusiasm for helping small businesses create economic wealth and prosperity for themselves and their workforce.
• Knowledge/experience with survey design and/or qualitative methods a plus.
• Knowledge/experience with manipulating and analyzing platform data a plus.

What’s in it for you:

• Own a research agenda, with lots of runway to chart your own path and see your ideas through to fruition, and the opportunity to influence the direction of the team and the business.
• Shape the conversation about issues that affect the SMB economy and its workforce.
• Develop research and data that are used by government, non-profits, and the private sector for decision-making.
• Diverse work. This role includes research, partnership and relationship-building, communicating with media and external audiences, and shaping/influencing business decisions.
• Build credibility and authoritative voice around topics of vital interest to the US economy.
• Support the success of small businesses and promote entrepreneurship as a path to prosperity for owners and their workforce.
• Build relationships with world-class research and academic organizations.
• Work with a high-performing, agile, and supportive team. (We’re pretty cool.)

Our cash compensation amount for this role is targeted at $150,000/year – $185,000/year for San Francisco & New York, and $140,000/year – $175,000/year in Denver & most remote locations. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed above.