---
title: 'Head of Product & Engineering - AI Lab at The Economist Group'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-product-engineering-ai-lab-the-economist-group-london-commercial-0e8vr3bbytvr'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-17'
---

# Head of Product & Engineering - AI Lab at The Economist Group

- **Company:** The Economist Group
- **Location:** London - Commercial
- **Posted:** 2026-10-13
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-17
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/theeconomistgroup/jobs/4996371101

## Job description

## 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.

Want to discover more about life at The Economist Group? Follow [@EconomistCareers](https://www.instagram.com/economistcareers/) on Instagram to discover the people, stories and opportunities that make TEG unique.

Technology, Product & Data

Our team of 450 colleagues across Technology, Product and Data is at the heart of The Economist Group’s digital-first agenda. Together, we design, build and optimise the digital products, platforms and data capabilities that power our business and reach millions of people around the world. Whether you're an engineer, product manager, designer, data scientist or analyst, you'll work on products that have real-world impact. From enhancing economist.com and developing new products for Economist Intelligence to creating personalised experiences and applying AI to solve complex challenges, you'll help shape how consumers, businesses and government leaders access trusted insights. Working in cross-functional teams, we combine engineering excellence, product thinking and data expertise to solve meaningful problems, experiment with new technologies and continuously improve the experiences we create. It's an opportunity to do challenging, purposeful work alongside curious, collaborative colleagues, while helping drive sustainable growth for one of the world's most trusted brands.

## The role

We are seeking a Head of Product & Engineering to lead The Economist AI Lab's product and technical work. You will be accountable for the full 0-1 journey - from deciding what to work on in the first place, to developing and validating working products: setting direction, shaping the roadmap, guiding discovery, making architectural decisions and ensuring that what we ship is useful, reliable and worthy of The Economist’s heritage and mission. This is a hands-on leadership role for a small, multidisciplinary team spanning product, engineering and design, working alongside editorial colleagues embedded in the Lab.

## Responsibilities

- Set the direction for the AI Lab - translating our broader editorial mission, company objectives and the evolving AI technology frontier into a focused roadmap of innovation directions and prospective products
- Lead and grow a team of multidisciplinary specialists across product, design and engineering; create the conditions for rapid innovation and exploration and a culture of quality that is worthy of our brand
- Be the voice of the future customer, ensuring our work is focused on ambitious, high-potential, customer-centred opportunities that will create real value
- Own the 0-1 process: generate ideas, coordinate research, prioritise prototype development and user testing and orchestrate from beta launch to production, using evidence - and a good amount of taste - to decide what to improve, scale or stop along the way
- Work closely with editorial colleagues (both inside the AI Lab and more broadly) to imagine and create products that amplify our journalism while protecting its quality, provenance and independence.
- Shape the technical direction: lead on architecture and build-versus-buy decisions, stay close to the code, and establish the engineering practices for high-quality, novel AI product development
- Connect the Lab's work to platforms, data and priorities across The Economist Group; define how success is measured and move concepts that work into the right long-term home

## Who you are

- Experience leading the development of B2C digital products, with accountability for both product outcomes and engineering delivery. Consumer subscription, media, e-commerce or marketplace background is strongly preferred.
- A track record of taking products from 0-1: finding valuable problems, testing assumptions, shipping quickly and learning from real users.
- Experience building and operating AI-powered products including practical knowledge of LLM application patterns, evaluation approaches and how the frontier of capabilities is moving.
- A strong engineering background and the technical judgement to guide architecture, challenge decisions and earn the confidence of senior engineers.
- Team building: A strong record of hiring senior engineering talent in a competitive market and of raising the technical bar of an existing team.
- The ability to make progress in ambiguous, fast-changing environments without adding unnecessary process.
- Clear communication with technical, editorial and commercial audiences, including the ability to explain assumptions and trade-offs directly.
- A deep appreciation of The Economist's journalistic values: intellectual rigour, a global outlook and editorial independence.

#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.

## About The Economist Group

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: The Economist Group is a global media and information-services company dedicated to providing independent analysis, intelligence, and influence to individuals, businesses, and governments.
- **Entity Type**: Private (ownership structure prevents any individual or organization from holding a majority shareholding; has an indicative share value of £31.50)
- **Headquarters**: London, United Kingdom
- **Founded**: 1843
- **Founders**: James Wilson

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Media & Publishing, Information Services, Business Intelligence, Executive Education, Events & Thought Leadership
- **Target customers**: B2B (enterprise clients, governments, institutions) and B2C (high-value subscribers, business leaders, decision-makers, and globally-minded individuals)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Dedicated to the pursuit of progress for individuals, organisations and the world."

## Products & Services
- **The Economist**: The flagship weekly newspaper and digital platform offering independent journalism covering global news, politics, finance, science, and culture. Available in print, online, app, podcasts, films, and social media.
- **Economist Enterprise** (launched 2026): Combines research, thought leadership, events, and partnerships to help organizations navigate complexity. Integrates capabilities previously delivered through Economist Intelligence and Economist Impact.
- **Economist Intelligence (EIU)**: A leader in country analysis, macroeconomic forecasting, and geopolitical risk data that empowers strategic decision-making for businesses and governments.
- **Economist Impact**: Helps organizations achieve strategic influence and reputational leadership through premium audience access, targeted advertising, branded content, independent research, and industry-leading events.
- **Economist Education**: Offers online executive courses led by expert practitioners and guided by The Economist's journalists, helping current and future leaders develop skills to navigate global shifts.
- **EuroFinance**: Provides expertise on treasury, cash management, and finance for corporations.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly listed; indicative share value of £31.50 (2024 & 2025). Private ownership structure with no majority shareholder.
- **Key Metric**: £368.5 million revenue (FY2025, up from £359.5m in FY2024); £48.1m operating profit; 1.25 million subscriptions; 85% of new subscriptions are digital-only.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Ownership structure is private and designed to protect editorial independence. Trustees protect the independence of the company and editorial. No majority shareholder permitted.
- **Growth Signals**: Revenue grew 2.5% year-over-year; 6% subscription revenue growth at constant currency; operating profit increased to £48.1m; launched Economist Enterprise brand in 2026; 34% reduction in annual greenhouse-gas emissions since 2020 while growing the business; net cash of £37.7m; 1,540 colleagues across 26 countries.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unmatched Editorial Independence**: Constitution prevents any individual or organization from gaining a majority shareholding. The editor is appointed by independent trustees, free from commercial, political, or proprietorial influence. This independence is a core brand asset and trust signal.
- **179-Year Heritage & Brand Trust**: Founded in 1843, The Economist is one of the world's most respected and recognizable media brands, known for rigorous, fact-based analysis and a distinctive global perspective.
- **Integrated B2B Ecosystem**: The Group uniquely combines premium journalism, data-driven intelligence (EIU), strategic advisory (Economist Impact), and executive education under one roof, creating a powerful cross-sell and integrated client offering.
- **High-Value, Loyal Audience**: 1.25 million subscribers, predominantly high-income, influential decision-makers in business, government, and finance. The digital transition is strong (85% of new subs are digital-only).
- **Anonymous Journalism**: The "no by-lines" policy reinforces a collective institutional voice and consistency of view, differentiating it from personality-driven media.

## Strategic Focus
- **Digital & Subscription Growth**: Continuing the shift to digital subscriptions (85% of new subscriptions are digital-only) and growing the subscriber base globally.
- **AI & Product Innovation**: Actively hiring for AI roles (Lead AI Engineer, Senior AI Engineer, Senior Product Manager - Gen AI) and building an AI Lab to integrate generative AI and conversational platforms into products.
- **Expanding B2B Enterprise Solutions**: The launch of Economist Enterprise in 2026 signals a strategic push to bundle research, advisory, events, and education for large organizations.
- **Global Reach & Local Insight**: Maintaining offices in 14 countries and serving a global readership, while deepening local expertise in key markets like North America (largest market), China, and Asia-Pacific.
- **Sustainability & Impact**: Committed to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions (34% reduction since 2020) and embedding inclusivity and belonging in organizational design.

## Why Work Here
- **Purpose-Driven Mission**: Employees work for a company whose purpose is "the pursuit of progress," producing independent journalism and analysis that informs global leaders and shapes policy.
- **Intellectual Rigor & Quality**: The culture values excellence, integrity, and openness. Employees are surrounded by passionate, curious colleagues and work on high-impact, intellectually demanding content and products.
- **Diverse, Global Environment**: 1,540 colleagues across 26 countries; 52% of colleagues are women; 40% of the global top pay quartile are women. The company is committed to belonging and inclusion.
- **Flexible Working**: Hybrid-working policy (most full-time colleagues expected in office a minimum of three days a week) with the ability to work from a location of choice for up to five weeks a year. Editorial roles have different flexibility.
- **High Engagement**: Employee engagement score of 7.6 out of 10 (above sector benchmark) with 84% participation in the annual "Your Voice" survey.
- **Career Development**: Offers a Talent Network for future opportunities, clear career paths across product, technology, data, marketing, sales, and editorial (including paid journalism internships and fellowships in the UK and US).
- **Strong Financial Health**: Profitable, growing, and debt-light (£37.7m net cash), providing stability and resources for innovation.

## Sources
1. [economistgroup.com - Careers](https://www.economistgroup.com/careers)
2. [economistgroup.com - About Us](https://www.economistgroup.com/about-us)
3. [economistgroup.com - Homepage](https://www.economistgroup.com/)
4. [Greenhouse - Jobs at The Economist Group](http://job-boards.eu.greenhouse.io/theeconomistgroup)
5. [economistgroup.com - Annual Report 2025 (PDF)](https://www.economistgroup.com/pdfs/reports/TEG_Annual_Report_2025.pdf)

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