Group Chief Economist

Overview

This role is based at the EIB Group headquarters in Luxembourg and involves regular presence in the office. The organisation offers a highly international, multicultural workplace and relocation assistance.

The European Investment Bank, acting as the European Union’s bank, is recruiting a Group Chief Economist for its Secretariat General Directorate, Economics Department, at its Luxembourg headquarters.

The appointment is for up to five years. The selected candidate will receive a fixed-term contract of 5 years, which may be renewed or converted in line with the applicable policies and rules. The internal benchmark for this post is Department Head.

Applicants are expected to receive first feedback in July 2026. Assessment centres for shortlisted candidates are planned for August 2026, and panel interviews are expected in September 2026. The application deadline is 13 July 2026.

Purpose of the Role

As the financial arm of the European Union, the EIB Group combines strong financial capacity with disciplined risk management to channel large-scale public and private investment. It supports the EU’s competitiveness, climate goals and economic security, while also operating in more than 160 countries worldwide. The Group is further strengthening its role within the multilateral development bank community through collaborative partnerships globally.

In this senior position, you will shape the economic perspective that informs the Group’s strategic direction. Through high-calibre economic analysis, you will support top-level decision-making and contribute directly to investment policy across the EIB and EIF.

You will be part of the EIB Group’s senior management environment, collaborating with heads of departments responsible for operations inside and outside the EU, project appraisal, risk analysis, and related areas, as well as with relevant EIF teams. The role also carries responsibility for economic insight, strategy support, policy engagement, public communication, and external representation.

Role Environment

You will lead an established team of economists, balancing thought leadership with senior internal advisory responsibilities and external representation at EU and international level.

By delivering policy-relevant analysis of a consistently high standard, you will help advance the Group’s strategic objectives and operational priorities. The role requires you to set direction, ensure analytical quality, communicate effectively, and create measurable impact on strategy, operations, and policy engagement.

Reporting under the overall guidance of the EIB Management Committee and the Deputy Secretary General, you will work closely with Group Strategy, the Permanent Representation of the EIB Group to the EU in Brussels, and the Communication directorate.

You will also take an active role in governance, participating in bodies such as the Management Committee and Board of Directors, while engaging with senior leaders of EIB and EIF and external counterparts including EU institutions, international financial institutions, multilateral development banks, central banks, think tanks, academia, and media.

Another key aspect of the role is leadership of the Group’s flagship annual Investment Report and its thematic economic publications, which contribute to European policy discussions and assess macroeconomic, financial, and sector-specific developments relevant to EIB Group financing activities. As the Group’s principal economic spokesperson, you will also help strengthen visibility with EU institutions, Member States, markets, and other stakeholders.

The Economics Department has around 50 professionals. Its precise scope is currently being reviewed and may change over time to remain aligned with institutional priorities and strategic requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and guide the EIB Group’s economic work programme so that it remains aligned with business needs and EU policy goals.
• Deliver trusted economic analysis related to EIB Group investments.
• Ensure that strategic papers, flagship publications, and operational priorities are supported by consistent and high-quality economic input.
• Advise senior management on economic trends, investment issues, policy priorities, and the implications for EIB Group activity.
• Prepare analysis and briefings for leadership for major meetings and important decision points.
• Embed economic thinking into strategic choices in close cooperation with Group Strategy and the Permanent Representation of the EIB Group to the EU in Brussels.
• Represent the EIB Group as its leading economic spokesperson at conferences, policy conversations, and high-level public events.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with European institutions, financial sector participants, think tanks, academia, international and multilateral institutions, and relevant policy forums.
• Help influence EU policy discussions through rigorous analysis and practical evidence from the EIB Group’s perspective.
• Lead and develop a diverse, high-performing team of economists and other specialists, encouraging collaboration, excellence, and professional development.
• Build a culture focused on impact, ensuring analytical work connects to operational relevance, strategic influence, and effective communication.
• Manage resources responsibly and ensure efficient delivery.
• Work collaboratively across functions, actively supporting cross-fertilisation and avoiding siloed working.

Qualifications and Experience

• You should hold a university degree, at least equivalent to a Master’s, and preferably a PhD, ideally in economics or a closely related field.
• You need a minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience, including leadership of economic departments in a government body, international institution, multilateral development bank, public or private bank, investment company, research institute, or comparable setting.
• Ideally, you should also have around 10 years of managerial experience.
• You must be recognised as a thought leader, with strong intellectual leadership, a substantial publication record, and a proven history of producing policy-relevant analysis with clear impact on strategy, operations, or policy discussions.
• You should have proven experience in managing and coaching teams, preferably in multicultural or international environments.
• You must be capable of strengthening the EIB Group’s analytical and publication framework, including leading change and evolving the function across institutional boundaries.
• A solid understanding of the EU policy landscape and investment policy agenda is required; familiarity with investment banking is an advantage.
• You must be able to communicate clearly, persuasively, and in an engaging manner, representing the EIB Group effectively on the European and global economic stage.
• You should have credibility in external engagement, including with senior policymakers and stakeholders.
• You need to collaborate effectively across the EIB Group with a wide range of stakeholders, including the EIB and EIF Boards, the Management Committee, and other departments and directorates, while aligning Economics Department work with the Group’s strategic objectives.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, innovation, change management, and the ability to build institutional capacity are essential.
• You should also have a strong record in organising, delegating, and managing staff, supported by excellent interpersonal, negotiation, influencing, and communication skills.

Competencies and Candidate Support

The organisation encourages applicants with diverse backgrounds and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Suitably qualified and eligible candidates are welcome regardless of gender identity or expression, age, racial, ethnic, or cultural background, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity.

If you need reasonable accommodation during recruitment because of a disability, neurodivergence, or a chronic health condition, you can contact the EIB Recruitment team at Jobs@eib.org.

By applying, you acknowledge the need to protect the security and integrity of EIB Group information and agree to comply with the relevant policies, controls, and document management measures designed to prevent unauthorised disclosure or damage to the Group’s reputation.

Additional Information

Applicants will receive initial feedback in July 2026. Assessment centres for selected applicants are expected in August 2026, followed by panel interviews in September 2026.

The Economics Department currently includes around 50 professionals, and its scope may evolve in line with institutional priorities.

This position requires regular office presence in Luxembourg.

Relocation support is available.

Internal benchmark: Department Head.

Deadline for applications: 13 July 2026.