Associate (Antitrust & Competition Economics) - China focused (Mandarin Required)

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 Overview

Our Antitrust and Competition Economics - China practice is an acknowledged leader in providing economic analysis, advice, and testimony for antitrust and merger cases worldwide. This role will focus primarily on China competition matters, while also offering opportunities to support a variety of projects across the broader Antitrust & Competition Economics practice. CRA economists have a deep understanding not only of competition economics, but also of China’s culture, social and economic environment, and legislative and procedural complexities. Our experts have extensive practical experience in China, including working on both sides of the table with the Chinese antitrust agency, and testifying in antitrust and Intellectual Property litigation matters in various Chinese courts. In our work assisting clients with China’s merger reviews and antitrust investigations, we combine global expertise and pioneering empirical and theoretical approaches with local in-depth knowledge and experience working with local regulatory agencies. In our litigation and arbitration work in China, CRA economists are at the frontier of introducing and enhancing the use of economics analysis in antitrust and intellectual property disputes in China. We instill consistent rigor to our work, while bringing in creativity and flexibility in dealing with jurisdiction-specific issues.

Associates have the unique opportunity to work alongside, and learn from, some of the most respected scholars, specialists, and industry experts in the world. A typical Associate would:

• Perform economic analyses to support case theories;
• Build Excel models, and perform regression analysis and programming using languages such as Stata, R, Python, or SAS;
• Conduct economic and industry research while analyzing client materials to build an understanding of a case’s issues;
• Review and summarize analyst reports, client documents, and industry trade press;
• Assist in the production and development of research summaries, expert reports, and the presentation of findings;
• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of analyses; and
• Assist with practice development activities (training, recruiting, knowledge management).

As most of our work is done in the office, minimal travel is required.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with an academic focus on quantitative research (Economics, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, or another quantitative discipline)
• Candidates with PhD degrees should visit our Careers site to apply for a Senior Associate position,
• This is an immediate opening, current students should apply to our campus postings;
• Up to 2 years of relevant work experience in financial/economic analysis, preferably in a consulting firm (we are accepting applications from recent graduates and candidates in the workforce)
• Recent graduates or individuals without directly relevant experience may be hired into the Analyst title;

• As China Competition projects require Mandarin language fluency in economic analysis and business settings, consideration for work on these projects necessitates additional interviews during the final round. The additional interviews will evaluate your written (Simple Chinese), verbal and comprehension of Mandarin language fluency in economic analysis and business settings.

• Demonstrated understanding of, and ability to explain, economic, financial and/or accounting concepts, and quantitative and qualitative analysis methods;
• Experience working with large data sets in Excel and/or statistical analysis programs (e.g SAS, Stata, R, etc.);
• Curious and analytical thinkers who bring creative approaches to non-standard problems;
• Effective written and oral communication skills;
• Eagerness to learn new skills and programming languages;
• Demonstrated high level of initiative and leadership;
• Strong teamwork and collaboration capabilities;
• Excellent time management and task prioritization skills;
• Clear and demonstrated interest in consulting.

To Apply

This is a position in the United States, and we require the following:

• Resume – please include current address, personal email and telephone number;
• Cover letter – please describe your interest in CRA and how this role matches your goals. Also, please note if you have interest in a particular location preference;
• Transcript – may be unofficial;
• Writing Sample – we prefer a sole-authored submission from an existing work (class paper, thesis, or work product) that includes your commentary on a quantitative analysis and/or relevant to the field of economics.

If you are interested in applying for one of our international locations, please visit our Careers site to view and apply for available jobs.

Career Growth and Benefits 

• CRA’s robust skills development programs, including a commitment to offering 100 hours of training annually through formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with research and analysis skill building, training continues with technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities.
• We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, wellness programming to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being, and in-house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers.

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 Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Salary and other compensation

A good-faith estimate of the annual base salary range for this position is $90,000 - $92,500. Stating pay within this range may vary based on factors such as education level, experience, skills, geographic location, market conditions, and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position may be eligible for additional bonus incentive compensation.

CRA offers a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility requirements, which may include: medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; life and disability insurance; paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays); paid parental leave; wellness programs and employee assistance resources; and commuter benefits.