Economist - Regulatory Economics

FINRA • Rockville, DC

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The primary duties of this position are to engage in statistical, econometric, and financial analysis projects to evaluate the risks, costs, and impacts of market practices and regulatory alternatives in support of FINRA's mission. Essential Job Functions: Contribute to and support research and analytical (R&A) work across one or more subject matter areas within FINRA's oversight purview for purposes of REMA's work product, including regular review of academic and industry reports and papers. Apply theory, modeling, empirical skills, sound judgment, and quantitative methodologies to analyze securities markets, market participants, market microstructure, member firm and market behavior, and the risks, costs, and impacts of market practices and regulatory alternatives under the guidance and review of senior staff. Identify, assess, and synthesize research, analysis, and data pertinent to securities markets, market participants, and market microstructure in support of FINRA's mission. Conduct R&A and contribute to written reports, presentations, and other outputs on economic and financial topics for internal, industry, and public consumption, including materials and oral presentations for managers and senior staff related to REMA work within the economist's area of focus. Develop innovative R&A ideas in the economist's area of focus based on new or emerging risks and topics of particular interest to FINRA in its oversight and regulatory role. Support the development and implementation of research designs and analyses for large-scale data projects, and assess, model, and analyze data to provide solutions and answers in a variety of engagements. Produce high-quality research work products to be reviewed and vetted by academics, industry experts, and regulatory staff, ensuring work is timely, complete, accurate, professional in quality and appearance. Support REMA's economic and R&A work in internal and cross-functional settings, including contributing to economic analysis and interpretation during the rule-making process and other policy discussions. Work with managers and colleagues across the organization to understand economic analysis needs and contribute to the design, conceptualization, and execution of projects to meet them. Support the maintenance of relationships with academic, industry, and regulatory/government entities under the guidance of senior economists, and present R&A findings to internal stakeholders and, as appropriate, external experts including securities industry professionals and other regulators. Provide written and oral status reports on assigned projects. Develop substantive knowledge and growing expertise in assigned area(s) of focus within REMA, and participate in internal and external conferences, seminars, presentations, and other speaking engagements as appropriate. Execute responsibilities with moderate direction and oversight, exercising increasing independence as experience develops. Establish and maintain specialized REMA recordkeeping systems and databases to support departmental operations and analytical requirements. Demonstration of FINRA's values. Collaboration, both in-person and virtually, in furtherance of FINRA's mission of investor protection and market integrity. Other Responsibilities Responsible for working on and completing other projects as needed. May provide informal guidance or assistance to analysts on project tasks. Working on and completing other projects as needed.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Statistics, or a related field, and a minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience will also be considered.
• Demonstrated experience producing economic analyses, including project design and development, econometric modeling, statistical analysis, data collection and manipulation, programming, and preparation of written reports.
• Proficiency with statistical analysis tools such as R, Python, and/or Stata.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals across a range of skill and knowledge levels.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Motivated self-starter capable of working with increasing independence.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Economics, Finance, Statistics, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to and support research and analytical (R&A) work across one or more subject matter areas within FINRA's oversight purview for purposes of REMA's work product, including regular review of academic and industry reports and papers.
• Apply theory, modeling, empirical skills, sound judgment, and quantitative methodologies to analyze securities markets, market participants, market microstructure, member firm and market behavior, and the risks, costs, and impacts of market practices and regulatory alternatives under the guidance and review of senior staff.
• Identify, assess, and synthesize research, analysis, and data pertinent to securities markets, market participants, and market microstructure in support of FINRA's mission.
• Conduct R&A and contribute to written reports, presentations, and other outputs on economic and financial topics for internal, industry, and public consumption, including materials and oral presentations for managers and senior staff related to REMA work within the economist's area of focus.
• Develop innovative R&A ideas in the economist's area of focus based on new or emerging risks and topics of particular interest to FINRA in its oversight and regulatory role.
• Support the development and implementation of research designs and analyses for large-scale data projects, and assess, model, and analyze data to provide solutions and answers in a variety of engagements.
• Produce high-quality research work products to be reviewed and vetted by academics, industry experts, and regulatory staff, ensuring work is timely, complete, accurate, professional in quality and appearance.
• Support REMA's economic and R&A work in internal and cross-functional settings, including contributing to economic analysis and interpretation during the rule-making process and other policy discussions.
• Work with managers and colleagues across the organization to understand economic analysis needs and contribute to the design, conceptualization, and execution of projects to meet them.
• Support the maintenance of relationships with academic, industry, and regulatory/government entities under the guidance of senior economists, and present R&A findings to internal stakeholders and, as appropriate, external experts including securities industry professionals and other regulators.
• Provide written and oral status reports on assigned projects.
• Develop substantive knowledge and growing expertise in assigned area(s) of focus within REMA, and participate in internal and external conferences, seminars, presentations, and other speaking engagements as appropriate.
• Execute responsibilities with moderate direction and oversight, exercising increasing independence as experience develops.
• Establish and maintain specialized REMA recordkeeping systems and databases to support departmental operations and analytical requirements.
• Demonstration of FINRA's values.
• Collaboration, both in-person and virtually, in furtherance of FINRA's mission of investor protection and market integrity.
• Responsible for working on and completing other projects as needed.
• May provide informal guidance or assistance to analysts on project tasks.
• Working on and completing other projects as needed.

Benefits

• comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance
• basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment, short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, disability and legal.
• immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match
• eligibility for participation in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution
• tuition reimbursement
• commuter benefits
• adoption assistance
• backup family care
• surrogacy benefits
• employee assistance
• wellness programs
• generous time-off program starting at 15 days of paid time off (increasing with years of service, up to 25 days)
• 5 personal days
• 9 sick days
• two volunteer service days
• military leave
• jury duty leave
• bereavement leave
• voting and election official leave for federal, state or local primary and general elections
• care of a family member leave (available after 90 days of employment)
• childbirth and parental leave (available after 90 days of employment)
• nine paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level