Current EMPOWERUS Roles

Committee & Advisory Member - EMPOWERUS CIC

Location: Suffolk / Hybrid
Contract: Voluntary advisory appointment
Commitment: Approximately 5-10 hours per month
Term: Initial 12-month appointment, reviewed jointly
Closing date: 04 September 2026

About EMPOWERUS

EMPOWERUS is a Suffolk-founded Community Interest Company exploring new approaches to Learning, Knowledge Exchange, Research and Economic Participation.

We’re now recruiting the wider team around it. Some roles are hands-on. Some are advisory. Some are governance positions. Most are currently voluntary. What they have in common is that we’re looking for people who want to contribute expertise, perspective and practical input while EMPOWERUS is still being built.

The Opportunity

EMPOWERUS has grown out of something we’ve tested many times: put the right people in the room, make it easier for them to share what they know, and useful things start to happen. We’ve built communities, run events, created conversations and connected people across Suffolk for several years. EMPOWERUS CIC is the next stage: turning what we’ve learned into a more structured organisation capable of delivering education, research, knowledge exchange and practical support.

There’s a lot happening at once.

AI and digital technology are changing how we work and run businesses. Skills requirements are shifting. Established industries are changing. New routes into employment and self-employment are emerging. And people are increasingly being expected to make decisions about technologies and opportunities they don’t necessarily understand.

We want EMPOWERUS to help make some of that change less confusing and more accessible but we don’t believe two founders should decide what everybody else needs so we’re building a wider team around EMPOWERUS and looking for experienced, curious people who can bring different perspectives, professional expertise and practical experience into what we create next. This is an opportunity to join relatively early while there is still plenty to shape.

What’s in it for you?

These are voluntary roles, so we think it’s important to be clear that the value should flow both ways.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Help shape practical projects designed to improve skills, confidence and opportunity for people and businesses

• Work alongside professionals from different sectors who you might not ordinarily encounter

• Build experience in committee, advisory, leadership or governance work

• Develop your professional network across business, education, technology, public sector and community organisations

• Learn about emerging developments in AI, digital technology, skills and the changing economy

• Test ideas and contribute your own expertise in a real-world environment

• Build evidence of strategic, community or board-level contribution that may support future career, advisory or NED opportunities

• Raise the visibility of your expertise through appropriate Empower Us research, events, content and activity

• Give something useful back to Suffolk while helping us work out what the region might need nextWhy you’re recruiting now and what stage EMPOWERUS is at

What you’ll help us do

• Shape emerging programmes and priorities

• Bring knowledge from your sector or community

• Challenge assumptions and contribute ideas

• Connect EMPOWERUS with relevant people and organisations

• Support specific projects where appropriate

• Help us understand what Suffolk needs next

Who we’re looking for

You don’t need previous committee experience. We’re interested in what you know, what you’ve experienced and what perspective you could add.

EMPOWERUS is still developing. We’re particularly interested in people comfortable working with ideas that aren’t completely finished, testing approaches, learning from evidence and helping turn discussion into action.

What you’ll get from it

• Experience helping build and shape a CIC

• Exposure to emerging work around skills, AI, education and economic development

• Connections across business, education, public sector and community networks

• Opportunities to contribute to research, events and programmes

• Visible recognition of their contribution where appropriate

• Practical committee/advisory experience that can support future board or NED applications

Apply to Join EMPOWERUS