Job DescriptionJob SummaryThe Senior Economist conducts advanced economic research, forecasting, analysis, and monitoring activities that support Southern Company's planning, regulatory, customer, sales, and strategic objectives. Working under the direction of the Economics & Sales Analysis Manager, this role develops economic insights, analytical tools, and business intelligence that support executive decision-making, forecasting activities, regulatory proceedings, customer growth initiatives, and business planning efforts.
Positioned as a senior technical expert and high-level individual contributor, the Senior Economist brings deep analytical capability, econometric and forecasting expertise, and strong communication skills, while functional ownership, personnel management, executive relationship management, and final prioritization reside with the Economics & Sales Analysis Manager. The role is a platform for individuals who want to deepen their technical influence and serve as a recognized subject matter expert across the enterprise.
Major Job Responsibilities1. Economic, Customer, and Industry Research
- Conduct advanced economic, demographic, customer, and industry research and analysis to support forecasting, planning, regulatory, sales, and strategic business initiatives.
- Translate complex, uncertain information into clear analytical findings and practical business implications.
2. Economic Models, Tools, and Scenario Analysis
- Develop, maintain, and enhance economic models, monitoring tools, dashboards, forecasts, and scenario analyses.
- Use these tools to assess emerging economic conditions, customer growth patterns, and market trends.
3. Executive, Investor, and Strategic Communications
- Develop economic analyses, presentations, reports, and briefing materials supporting executive decision-making, earnings call preparation, investor communications, and strategic planning activities.
- Support customer-facing initiatives with credible, well-documented economic insight.
4. Regulatory and Technical Support
- Provide technical economic support for regulatory filings, testimony development, discovery responses, benchmarking studies, and stakeholder inquiries.
- Ensure assumptions and methods are documented, explainable, and defensible.
5. Subject Matter Expertise and Mentoring
- Serve as a recognized subject matter expert in assigned areas of economic analysis.
- Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and project leadership on departmental initiatives.
Job RequirementsEducation- Bachelor's degree in Economics, Finance, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Analytics, or a related field required.
- Advanced degree preferred.
Experience and Knowledge- Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in economics, forecasting, analytics, utility economics, market analysis, or related disciplines is required
- Demonstrated experience conducting economic research, forecasting, and quantitative analysis supporting business decision-making.
- Experience supporting regulatory proceedings, strategic planning efforts, customer growth initiatives, or investor communications preferred.
- Strong knowledge of macroeconomic analysis, regional economics, utility industry fundamentals, and customer market trends.
Skills and Attributes- Proficiency with econometric techniques, forecasting methodologies, statistical analysis, and analytical tools such as Python, R, SAS, EViews, Power BI, or Tableau.
- Ability to synthesize large and complex datasets into clear business insights and recommendations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical findings to business audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, project coordination, mentoring, and subject matter expertise on complex analytical assignments.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities with limited supervision.
- Demonstrated commitment to Southern Company values, including Safety First, Unquestionable Trust, Superior Performance, and Total Commitment.
Success Profile- Operates as a trusted senior technical expert, exercising significant professional judgment within departmental priorities set by management.
- Produces analytically sound, transparent, and defensible economic research, models, and insights.
- Builds strong working relationships across Forecasting, Planning, Regulatory, Finance, and Sales functions.
- Communicates complex economic concepts clearly to executive, technical, and customer audiences.
- Strengthens the team's analytical capability through mentoring and knowledge sharing.
About the TeamSouthern Company Services
