Head of Trading

Who we are

Since 1843, The Economist Group has championed independence, excellence and openness, helping people understand and tackle the critical challenges shaping the world. Today, we are building on that legacy as a global media and information-services company powered by digital innovation, analytical rigour and evidence-based insight.

Across our three businesses -The Economist, Economist Enterprise and Economist Education - we deliver trusted analysis and insights to individuals and organisations in more than 170 countries. United by a shared purpose to drive progress, we empower decision-makers to make sense of change and chart a course through an increasingly complex world.

As a colleague, you will be part of a culture that values ideas, encourages ownership and holds itself to high standards. We invest in people who are curious, thoughtful and adaptable, whether they are launching new products, reporting on global events or harnessing emerging technologies such as AI to improve how we work. Here, fresh thinking is taken seriously, ambition is matched by integrity, and great work is recognised. Working across disciplines, geographies and perspectives, we are united by a commitment to innovation, excellence and creating meaningful impact.

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The Economist

With rigorous reporting, in-depth analysis and global perspective, we explain today’s most important events and seek to discern the trends that will shape tomorrow. At the core of everything we do is our independence, underpinned by our editorial culture and governance structure. 

Role OverviewWe are seeking a strategically minded Head of Trading to lead commercial performance management of The Economist’s B2C subscription business. This role owns the trading rhythm for subscription performance: providing clear, actionable insight and recommendations, identifying risks and opportunities, and enabling decisions that deliver sustainable subscriber and revenue growth. It is not a channel-marketing role; its value lies in connecting performance across acquisition, conversion, retention, engagement and customer lifetime value into a single commercial view. Working closely with Marketing, Retention and Engagement, Product, Propositions, Analytics and Finance, the Head of Trading will own performance oversight across markets, channels and products. They will be a trusted commercial partner to the Managing Director, bringing both challenge and recommendations to senior decision-making.  The role reports to the Managing Director, The Economist B2C, with a team of two reporting into it.

Key Responsibilities

Trading performance and insight

• Own the weekly and monthly subscription trading cadence: covering acquisition, conversion, churn, subscriber net growth, and customer lifetime value
• Lead the analysis of daily, weekly, and monthly subscription performance across products, channels, and markets
• Diagnose performance movements, identifying emerging risks and opportunities, and recommending specific commercial interventions
• Translate complex performance data into concise, decision-ready narratives for senior stakeholders
• Establish and maintain a clear set of commercial KPIs, targets and performance thresholds
• Oversee dashboards, reporting and performance tools in partnership with Business Intelligence, Insights & Analytics and Finance - ensuring reporting is accurate, timely, and aligned to business priorities

Commercial planning and forecasting

• Partner with Finance to set commercial targets, develop forecasts and maintain an accurate view of performance against plan
• Lead scenario analysis and quantify the expected commercial impact of proposed initiatives, pricing changes and investment decisions
• Inform trading decisions on pricing, offers, promotions, packaging and other commercial levers, working with the relevant accountable teams
• Ensure that short-term performance actions support longer-term subscriber value and sustainable growth

Experimentation and performance improvement

• Partner with Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO), Product, Marketing and Analytics teams to shape and prioritise an evidence-led experimentation roadmap
• Ensure tests across acquisition, paywall, checkout, onboarding, engagement, retention and cancellation are evaluated consistently and translated into scalable actions
• Challenge initiatives constructively, using commercial evidence to focus resources on the highest-value opportunities 

Experience and Skills

• Strong judgement, intellectual curiosity and the confidence to provide constructive challenge to senior stakeholders
• Significant experience in trading, commercial analytics, performance management or commercial planning within a digital subscription, ecommerce, consumer-media or similarly data-rich business
• Strong understanding of subscription economics, including acquisition, conversion, retention, churn, pricing, customer lifetime value and forecasting.
• Highly analytical, with a proven ability to turn complex data into clear commercial recommendations
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills; able to distil complex performance issues into a compelling decision narrative
• Experience partnering across Finance, Analytics, Product and Marketing, with the credibility to influence without direct ownership of all delivery teams
• Experience leading, developing and motivating analytically focused teams
• Proficiency with Tableau, Looker, Power BI or similar reporting and analytics tools

#LI-Hybrid 

Working Arrangements

The majority of our roles operate on a hybrid working pattern, with 3+ days office attendance required. 

AI usage for your application

We are an innovative organisation that encourages the use of technology. We recognise that candidates may utilise AI tools to support with their job application process. However, it is essential that all information you provide truthfully and accurately reflects your own experience, skills, and qualifications.

What we offer

Our benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance. It includes a highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance, and 24/7 access to counselling and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program.

We also offer a range of lifestyle benefits, including our Work From Anywhere program, which allows you to work from any location where you have the legal right to do so for up to 25 days per year. In addition, we provide generous annual and parental leave, as well as dedicated days off for volunteering and even for moving home.

You will also be given free access to all The Economist content, including an online subscription, our range of apps, podcasts and more.