Director, Economist Full Time

About the Role

Here’s a role that goes beyond typical research work—it’s about becoming one of the key voices that shape how the world understands Pakistan’s economy. As the Director, Economist – Pakistan, you’ll join Standard Chartered’s global research team, and your focus will largely revolve around analyzing and interpreting the shifting dynamics of the Pakistani economy and neighboring MENAP (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) regions.

But this isn’t just a behind-the-scenes research role. You’ll be writing, presenting, and advising on macroeconomic trends that directly influence our clients, strategy teams, and senior leadership across the globe. We’re looking for someone who knows what they’re talking about, of course—but also someone who knows how to communicate those insights in a way that actually sticks.

What You’ll Be Doing (Roughly Speaking)

While the job title may sound heavy, the work is quite dynamic. A big part of your time will be spent interpreting economic signals—growth, inflation, trade, central bank policy, you name it. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle. You’ll also:

• Dig deep into economic data across Pakistan and the MENAP region, and use it to forecast, spot risk trends, and help clients stay ahead of the curve

• Create and maintain custom databases—so you’ll need to be someone who doesn’t mind working with spreadsheets or statistical models from time to time

• Draft research publications and presentations that don’t just inform, but engage—these could be global reports or country-specific economic briefs

• Work closely with people across the bank, from FICC Research and Risk teams to Corporate Affairs and Senior Management—you’ll often be the go-to person for anything tied to Pakistan’s macro landscape

• Actively contribute to discussions and strategy meetings involving investment, credit risk, and regional outlooks

• Build strong working relationships with economists outside the bank as well—think government agencies, think tanks, academics, and sometimes even the media

• Track global developments, apply them to local conditions, and share perspectives that aren’t just copy-paste from the latest headlines

• Help ensure we’re doing all of this while staying within the lines—compliance with regulations and internal controls is part of the game

What We’re Hoping You Bring

Honestly, this is a role that rewards depth over flash. If you’re someone who’s more into data and detail than buzzwords, you’ll probably fit in just fine. That said, here are a few must-haves:

• A solid degree in economics or a related field (a Master’s or higher would be ideal, but let’s not rule out experience)

• Prior experience in investment research, especially with emerging markets—you’ve dealt with the volatility, and you know what signals to trust

• Confidence in writing economic commentary that’s accurate but not robotic—your style should be analytical but readable

• Comfort with data tools and modeling—whether it’s Excel, databases, or visualization software, you don’t shy away from the technical side

• Ability to speak to both technical and non-technical audiences—you might present to an analyst one hour and a policy maker the next

• A natural sense for how macroeconomics intersects with business strategy, markets, and policy

If you’ve spent time publishing research, interacting with stakeholders, or navigating cross-country economics, even better.

Skills That’ll Come in Handy

These aren’t all mandatory, but they’ll help you hit the ground running:

• Global Economic Analysis (GEA)

• Presenting complex concepts simply

• Written and verbal communication under tight deadlines

• Understanding of financial instruments and how macro factors affect them

• Risk awareness in banking and policy contexts

Why Join Standard Chartered?

You’ll be part of a bank that’s both international and deeply regional. We’ve been doing this for over 170 years—long enough to know what works, but still small enough in some places to move fast.

We try not to overcomplicate things. Our purpose is simple: to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity. We live that every day through our values:

• Do the right thing

• Never settle

• Be better together

And no, those aren’t just poster slogans. They genuinely guide how teams collaborate, how we talk to clients, and how we adapt when things shift in the markets or the world.

A Few Perks Worth Mentioning

We don’t just talk about flexibility and well-being—we’ve built those values into how we operate:

• Competitive salary and core retirement/medical benefits

• 20 weeks of parental leave (yes, really)

• Support for mental well-being with tools like Unmind

• Access to global learning platforms—want to upskill or shift roles later? We support that

• Volunteering leave, sabbaticals, and flexible work options (where possible)

We know this isn’t your typical 9-to-5 role. There’ll be busy weeks, big deliverables, and pressure to get things right—but we also offer the kind of long-term support and flexibility that helps people stick around.

Apply Now

If you’re looking for a role where economic research meets influence—where your work can shape conversations from boardrooms to policy roundtables—then this could be the next chapter in your career.