Innovation Lead, Cyber

Plexal; England; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 10%

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Critical illness cover

Job summary

Plexal is seeking an Innovation Lead to guide cyber security and AI-enabled technology initiatives across client projects. You will act as a subject-matter expert, translating complex concepts into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership and stakeholders.

The role focuses on horizon-scanning, risk assessment, and shaping Plexal’s innovation strategy with strong analytical input and cross‑sector collaboration. A strong grounding in cyber security and interest in AI’s impact are essential.

Qualifications

• Background in cyber security, research, or innovation.
• Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
• Ability to translate complex concepts for senior leaders and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects focused on cyber security and AI-enabled technologies.
• Scope research questions, select methodologies, analyse findings, and produce high-impact reports.
• Mentor and upskill team members through knowledge sharing and demonstrations.
• Manage project budgets and ensure spend aligns with delivery requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders across sectors.

Skills

Cyber security

AI trends analysis

Stakeholder management

Research methods

Clear written communication

Education

Higher education degree

Job description

This role is central to Plexal’s innovation and technology consulting services, with a specific focus on cyber security and the evolving impact of AI on the threat landscape.

As an Innovation Lead, you will act as a subject‑matter expert, helping organisations understand how cyber technologies are developing, how AI is shaping both defensive and offensive capabilities, and what this means for strategic decision‑making. This includes analysing emerging cyber technologies, assessing risks and opportunities, interrogating vendor claims, and translating complex concepts into actionable insights for senior leaders. You will also support horizon‑scanning activities, helping clients anticipate future developments in cyber and AI.

This is a hands‑off, non‑coding role suited to individuals with strong analytical capability, a solid grounding in cyber security, and an interest in how AI is transforming the field. You will be deployable across a wide range of client projects, providing expert input wherever cyber and AI considerations are relevant.

What You'll Do

• Lead projects focused on cyber security and AI‑enabled technologies.
• Scope research questions, select appropriate methodologies, analyse findings, and produce high‑impact reports and presentations.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert on cyber security and AI, providing clients with clear, evidence‑based insights.
• Monitor emerging cyber and AI trends, threat vectors, market dynamics and regulatory developments to shape Plexal’s innovation strategy.
• Assess technology robustness, interrogate vendor claims, and evaluate risks, trade‑offs and opportunities.
• Support clients to engage effectively with the cyber innovation ecosystem, including startups, academia and industry.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across public and private sectors.
• Contribute to horizon‑scanning activities to identify future cyber and AI developments.
• Mentor and upskill team members through knowledge sharing, playbooks and practical demonstrations.
• Manage project budgets and ensure spend is aligned with delivery requirements.

Your Skills

• Strong research and analytical skills, including methodological thinking and the ability to frame ambiguous problems.
• Demonstrable expertise in cyber security concepts, threat landscapes, system architectures and security principles.
• Clear interest in how AI is enabling, accelerating or hindering cyber security.
• Ability to interrogate vendor claims and assess the robustness of cyber and AI‑enabled technologies.
• Exceptional ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear insights for senior leaders and non‑technical audiences.
• High‑quality written communication suitable for advisory work and strategic recommendations.
• Commercial awareness and ability to build and nurture strategic relationships.
• Strong influencing, facilitation and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Ability to work proactively and independently within a matrix environment.

Your Experience

• Background in cyber security, research, academia, innovation or emerging technology.
• Experience conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research and producing high‑quality analytical outputs.
• Evidence of building trust‑based relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Experience contributing to collaborative delivery teams.
• Ability to provide an outside‑in perspective on emerging cyber and AI trends, market needs and technologies.

Who You Are

• Higher Education degree, or equivalent knowledge gained via work experience.
• Energised by solving complex problems and exploring emerging technologies.
• Passion for cyber security and curiosity about AI’s role in shaping the future threat landscape.
• Flexible, resilient and comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving environment.
• Candidates must be eligible to undergo security clearance or hold current security clearance. (See more on clearance eligibility.)

Why us?

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 is 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: £65,000 - £80,000 depending on skills and experience
• A generous pension scheme (with a company contribution of up to 10%)
• Private healthcare, life assurance and critical illness cover

Plexal is an equal opportunities employer and we actively encourage applicants from individuals from all backgrounds. We are a Disability Committed employer and are willing to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.