Economic Development Analyst Full Time NEW

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX – Hybrid working
• Salary: £34,434per annum(pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week – flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. We’re not just a local authority; we’re a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our economy. As our new Economic Development Analyst, you’ll have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Your contributions will help build a brighter future for all. If you’re passionate about making a real, tangible difference, it’s time to reimagine your career with us. Join Suffolk County Council and turn your passion for positive change into action.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your Role And Responsibilities

Join the Suffolk Economy Team and help turn data into action – so we can back better decisions, stronger investment and inclusive growth across Suffolk.

• Dig into the latest local, regional and national intelligence – and turn it into clear insight people can use.
• Work with colleagues and partners to keep our evidence base sharp and our strategy grounded in what’s really happening in the economy.
• Spot patterns, explain what they mean, and present your findings in a way that makes busy people sit up and take notice.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Analysing economic data to understand trends, sector demand and what’s changing across Suffolk
• Creating charts, reports and infographics that make complex information easy to digest
• Building dashboards and visualisations to track performance and support decisions
• Keeping on top of key datasets and share timely updates with colleagues and partners
• Being rigorous with sources, methods and assumptions so our analysis is consistent and transparent
• Supporting monitoring and evaluation – helping us measure what’s working and where to improve
• Strengthening the evidence behind the Suffolk Economic Strategy, investment cases and funding proposals

If you love using data to shape real-world decisions – and you want your work to support Suffolk’s future – apply now.

You will need

• To work confidently with data – collecting it, sense-checking it, and explaining what it shows in plain English.
• Experience analysing economic, labour market, skills or business intelligence data (or you can show closely related analytical experience).
• To be curious, proactive and happy learning new tools and methods as you go.
• To have a Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject – for example economics, statistics, data science, business analytics, geography (economic development) or a quantitative social science.

What Will Help You Thrive

• Strong Excel skills (functions, charts, pivot tables)
• A knack for turning analysis into great reporting and visuals (dashboards, graphs, presentations)
• Understanding of economic indicators and labour market trends
• Confidence working with large datasets and being meticulous about accuracy
• Great communication – you can explain the “so what?” to different audiences
• A collaborative mindset and a commitment to fairness and inclusion

We’d love to hear from you – especially if you’re excited to bring fresh thinking and help us make a bigger impact through evidence.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

• Who we are – we’re the Suffolk Economy Team in Growth, Highways & Infrastructure, leading the Suffolk Economic Strategy and the evidence behind it.
• Who you’ll work with – colleagues across the council and external partners, from district and other county councils and businesses to education providers, government and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations (and supporting the Suffolk Business Board).
• Why it matters – your insight helps shape investment propositions, business support and place-based growth across Enterprise Zones, Freeport East and other hubs.
• Where you’ll work – Endeavour House (Ipswich) with hybrid working. We expect around 40% of your time in the office, plus flexible options such as flexitime, time off in lieu and compressed hours (where it works for the service).

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 Eunice Edwards (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach out initially by emailing Eunice.Edwards@suffolk.gov.uk .

How To Apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).

Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template .

• Describe an example where you translated complex analysis into a clear report, presentation, or infographic for non-technical stakeholders. What did you include to make it accessible and actionable
• Tell us about a situation where you monitored local, regional, and/or national economic indicators to brief a team or board. How did you decide what mattered and what actions followed?
• Describe a time you developed or strengthened an evidence base to support strategy or policy work. What sources did you use, and how did you ensure your methods were transparent and repeatable?

Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page .

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages . If you’re invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 4 May 2026.

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.  

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .