LGR Governance and Research Lead in Ipswich

• Future Suffolk / Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX, Hybrid working
• Salary:£48,163 - 58,850 per annum
• Hours:37 hours per week, Flexible working options available
• Contract:Fixed Term or Secondment until 31 March 2028

Suffolk's councils are working together on one of the most ambitious change programmes the county has ever seen. Through Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), we're creating three new unitary councils and building the foundations for the future of local services across Suffolk.

We're looking for talented people to join our programme team and play a key role in making that happen.

As our Governance and Research Lead, you'll be at the centre of how the LGR Programme is governed and how key decisions are informed. You'll ensure the governance framework works effectively across Suffolk's councils, while providing the research, evidence and practical recommendations needed to support programme boards and senior leaders.

Your role and responsibilities

You’ll act as the link between governance, evidence and decision-making across the programme. Alongside maintaining effective governance arrangements, you’ll undertake research, analyse options and translate findings into practical recommendations that help programme leaders understand what information means, what the implications are and what actions may be required.

You will:

• Own and maintain the programme governance framework, forward plan and board cycles.
• Coordinate board papers, agendas, actions and decision records, ensuring activity is followed through.
• Own the programme risk register, working with boards and workstreams to identify, review and escalation risks.
• Build trusted relationships across councils and with colleagues in legal, finance, internal audit and other corporate functions.
• Undertake research and analysis to answer questions raised by programme boards and senior leaders.
• Turn evidence and insight into clear briefings, practical recommendations and implementation considerations.
• Identify gaps, implications and emerging issues that need further action or senior attention.

You will need

We're looking for someone who combines a strong grasp of governance with excellent research and analytical skills. You'll be process‑minded and highly organised, but equally able to build relationships and make governance work for people across a complex partnership.

We hope you'll bring:

• Experience in managing governance arrangements for boards, committees, partnerships or complex programmes.
• A strong understanding of governance, risk management and decision‑making in local government or the wider public sector.
• Experience working across organisational boundaries and building credibility with senior stakeholders.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to draw together evidence from multiple sources.
• Excellent report‑writing skills and the ability to turn findings into clear, practical recommendations.
• A proactive and solutions‑focused approach, with the confidence to follow up actions and challenge where needed.
• The ability to work independently, maintain attention to detail and keep pace in a fast‑moving environment.
• A commitment to using evidence and insight to support better decisions and outcomes for Suffolk's communities.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the How to apply section towards the bottom of this advert.

The team

Although hosted by Suffolk County Council, this is a genuinely system‑wide role working across the full LGR system, bringing together multiple councils, disciplines and partners behind a single shared objective. The team act on behalf of all Suffolk councils and are accountable to the Future Suffolk Implementation Board.

You’ll join a newly established programme team, united by a shared commitment to delivering change that protects services for residents and creates strong, sustainable new councils.

For more information on LGR in Suffolk, please visit the Three Councils for Suffolk and the Future Suffolk websites.

Applications from Suffolk's five councils

Colleagues currently working for one of Suffolk's five councils are encouraged to apply. Where possible, appointments will be made on a secondment basis, allowing you to retain your substantive role.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report .

For more information

Please contact Lysanne Eddy, Programme Director for LGR, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing lysanne.eddy@suffolk.gov.uk

Closing date

11.30 pm, 13 September 2026.

Provisional interview date

Week commencing 21 September 2026 (subject to change).

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.