Principal (European Competition practice)

About Charles River Associates

Charles River Associates is a leading global consulting firm that provides economic, financial, and business management expertise to major law firms, corporations and governments around the world. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its combination of industry experience and rigorous, fact-based analysis that provide clients with clear, implementable solutions to complex business concerns.

Position Responsibilities

CRA's European Competition practice specialises in providing economic advice on matters of competition policy and regulation. We assist firms and their legal advisors in all types of competition proceedings: firms considering merger and acquisition opportunities or involved in merger control proceedings; and firms undergoing investigations relating to cartels, restrictive commercial agreements, abuse of dominance or state aid. We also provide advice to firms involved in regulatory proceedings and sector inquiries, and assist on the estimation effects of damages in cartel cases, international arbitration and intellectual property disputes.

We seek a Principal in our Brussels office to work with those testifying in judicial proceedings to provide economic analyses of mergers and other competition matters before the major competition authorities of the world. Principals have the unique opportunity to learn from, and work alongside, some of the most respected scholars, specialists, and industry experts in the world. We employ tools such as merger simulation, upward pricing pressure analysis, econometrics, bargaining theory, or game theory to tailor our analyses to the facts of each case. Whether before a court or a regulatory agency, CRA consultants set a high standard for the clear communication of sophisticated economic analysis in complex cases. You will have access to internal training programs focused on creative problem solving, communications, and leading and managing colleagues, teams and cases. Principals may:

• Work closely with leading academics and consult with attorneys and other clients in industry and government on a wide variety of finance, strategy and economics issues;
• Conduct research in a supportive, team-oriented environment;
• Act as a primary point of contact for clients and shape, develop and present client deliverables including expert reports summarising our opinions, conclusions, and recommendations and third party financial, market and industry data;
• Independently conceptualise and identify issues, design complex economic and financial models to analyze economic and financial data;
• Oversee analysis in statistical analysis programs (such as Stata, SAS, R or Python);
• Manage the research process, and supervise, train and mentor teams;
• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of analyses and opinions;
• Drive practice-building activities (training, recruiting, publication, expertise sharing, etc.).

Desired Qualifications

• Good first degree in economics and a postgraduate degree qualification (MSc/MPhil or PhD/DPhil) from well-regarded institutions with focused study in economics or a related specialisation (microeconomics, industrial organisation, and/or statistics/econometrics);
• Extensive and relevant experience (10+ years), competition policy/economic consulting experience preferred;
• Senior candidates should be able to demonstrate an ability to manage more junior colleagues and to have extensive client contact at an early stage;
• Fluency in English;
• Extensive executive client presence, proven revenue creation and interaction skills;
• Demonstrated understanding of economic concepts, competition/regulatory authorities and quantitative and qualitative analysis methods;
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills;
• Experience managing and developing teams of junior colleagues.

To Apply

Applicants should submit the following materials for immediate consideration:

• Curriculum Vitae – please include current contact information;
• Covering letter – please describe your interest in a role with CRA's Antitrust and Competition Economics practice in Brussels and how this role matches your goals.

Work Location Flexibility

CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognize that individuals realize a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently expect that individuals spend at least 3 to 4 days a week working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office or to client meetings), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team.

Our Commitment to Diversity

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our focus on equity and inclusion, we work to ensure a fair and consistent hiring process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.