Innovation Lead
This role as an AI and data technology Innovation lead is pivotal in driving Plexal's innovation and technology consulting services, with a specialised focus on artificial intelligence capability, AI security, and trustworthy AI systems. Working closely with clients to shape their AI strategies and solutions, you will help organisations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI opportunity and threat.
The urgency and strategic importance of this work is underscored by recent developments in the AI landscape, including the formation of the Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR), a collaborative initiative bringing together government, industry, and academia to address the unique opportunities and security challenges posed by AI systems.
By leading cross-functional teams, building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, and maintaining deep awareness of the AI landscape, you ensure Plexal's growth and reputation as a leader in AI consulting. This role directly contributes to Plexal's broader mission of shaping the future of the UK's, and increasingly global, tech landscape while ensuring that AI systems are designed, built, and deployed securely and safely, creating justified confidence and trust for all users.
As an Innovation Lead, you will lead consulting and research projects, in addition to managing accounts with public and private sector organisations who want to know how emerging technologies can help solve their challenges. You will be hands-on in mapping how emerging technologies are evolving, identifying relevant capability in the UK and beyond, and analysing the risks, opportunities and trade-offs of these technologies. You will also analyse the market forces and wider drivers impacting technologies, and translate this into actionable insights. Your work will also include helping clients future-proof through horizon scanning activities to identify potential upcoming technological developments.
In addition to client-facing work, this role will work with our operations and technology teams to improve the way our own business is using AI. You will work to define and execute the internal AI strategy, ensuring alignment with Plexal's business objectives and future vision.
What You'll Do
We are a diverse and cross-disciplinary team, interested in candidates with strong experience with AI and machine learning. Key responsibilities include:
Managing teams of consultants and associates to design and deliver end-to-end projects for clients, with a focus on AI and emerging technologies. This includes supporting clients in scoping research questions, using qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, interpreting and analysing results, and sharing findings via impactful reports and presentations. Specific project briefs may focus on a broad range of technology-related services such as
Technology strategy and architecture design,
External product, architecture and systems configuration assessment,
Technical research and capability feasibility analysis,
Technology partnerships and POCs,
Technology implementation support and roadmap design and development.
Acting as a relationship manager, building partnerships and commercial relationships to help grow our initiatives and Plexal's innovation services business.
Leading the creation of high-impact outputs that help clients make decisions on their emerging technology strategy.
Monitoring AI and emerging technology trends and market needs to guide our work and shape our innovation strategy as we grow.
Consulting clients on the best way to engage with the AI ecosystem.
Proactively managing regular interaction, communication and collaboration with external stakeholders.
Mentoring and upskilling team members by distilling complex AI concepts into practical training, documentation, methodologies and best practices. Enhancing the team's ability to think critically about AI systems.
This role may require some national travel for delivery of projects and travel to all Plexal sites.
Due to the nature of this position, our work and our client engagements require you to hold valid SC or DV clearances.
Your Skills
Research and analysis skills including strong analytical reasoning, methodological thinking, ability to frame ambiguous problems and intellectual curiosity.
Strong understanding of AI, data and automation systems, including the ability to interpret model architectures, data flows and evaluation metrics.
Ability to interrogate vendor technology and assess technology robustness.
Ability to translate technical concepts, trade-offs, risks and opportunities for audiences ranging from executive senior leaders to technical specialists.
Engaging and accurate written work suitable for advising and making recommendations to senior leaders, using intuition and judgment.
Ability to work proactively – planning and organising your work with reference to appropriate strategies, policies, processes and protocols.
Commercial awareness and aptitude for building relationships, nurturing opportunities and structuring mutually beneficial business partnerships.
Excellent listening, facilitation and influencing skills, including influencing senior leaders and external stakeholders and negotiating to achieve desired outcomes.
Your Experience
Innovation, startup, research or technology background, with a passion for emerging technology and some domain expertise or interest in technology policy.
Experience with a range of research methodologies (both qualitative and quantitative), and an ability to critically assess research to draw insightful conclusions and recommendations for the client, presented in an accessible and compelling narrative.
Experience of working successfully through collaboration, contributing to the success of a delivery team.
Evidence of building trust-based relationships with a wide range of senior internal and external stakeholders such as startups and corporate clients and understanding the practicalities of working in a small and growing company.
Proven ability to provide an outside-in perspective to clients regarding emerging market needs, trends, opportunities and technologies of interest to explore.
Higher Education degree, or equivalent knowledge gained via work experience. (Essential)
Who You Are
Energised by solving problems.
A passion for and understanding of AI technologies and the innovative startups that exist in this space.
Flexible when it comes to working within a matrix structure with changing organisational and operational requirements.
Team player and motivated self-starter.
Personal resilience and the ability to remain focused on the overall objective, responding to challenges in a calm and measured manner.
Why us?
Plexal's Values:
Mission – We inherit the mission of the UK government and deliver it in an agile and creative fashion.
Collaboration – We believe in the power of working together.
Equality – We strengthen ourselves as a team by embracing the different.
Care – People are at the heart of what we do; we care about our customers, members and colleagues.
As a start-up, we thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment dedicated to empowering innovators. We embrace individuals who leverage technology and creativity to tackle our greatest challenges head-on. We strongly advocate for maintaining a harmonious work-life balance, our goal being to ensure every member of our team can authentically be themselves and live their best lives. We firmly believe that innovation and creativity flourish when we cultivate a diverse workforce comprising highly skilled individuals with a wide range of perspectives to contribute.
In return we will offer you
Salary: Up to £65,000 – £80,000 depending on skills and experience.
Annual bonus scheme.
A generous pension scheme (with a company contribution of up to 10%).
Private healthcare, life assurance and critical illness cover.
25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
Volunteering day.
Plexal is an equal opportunities employer and we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds. We are a Disability Committed employer and are willing to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
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