Innovation Lead, Programmes, North East

Plexal; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Plexal is seeking an Innovation Lead to design, deliver and continuously improve high-impact programmes that help innovators, startups, SMEs and individuals access growth opportunities, skills, networks and pathways.

You will lead programme delivery, manage stakeholders and drive commercial targets, acting as regional account manager for the North East and enabling collaboration with employers and ecosystem partners.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex innovation programmes and managing diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to build partnerships with employers, universities, public sector and industry networks.
• Strong account management skills with a track record of delivering against KPIs and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of innovation programmes and workstreams on time and within budget.
• Coordinate cross-stakeholder delivery across clients, partners, mentors and employers.
• Develop stakeholder engagement plans and represent Plexal at events and forums.
• Support ecosystem development through networks of mentors, alumni and partners.
• Assist with business development, funding pathways and opportunities for participants.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Partnership building

Account management

Data analysis

Education

Higher education degree

Tools

CRM

Project management software

Job description

Innovation Lead Overview

The Innovation Lead will work collaboratively with the Innovation Services team to design, deliver and continuously improve high-impact programmes that support innovators, entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs and individuals to access new opportunities, skills, networks and growth pathways. The role is responsible for leading programme delivery, managing stakeholders and partners, and ensuring programmes achieve their objectives, outcomes and commercial targets. Alongside programme delivery responsibilities, the role will act as a regional Account Manager For the North East, building and managing relationships with employers, ecosystem partners, public sector stakeholders and industry networks. The post holder will identify opportunities for collaboration, support participant and customer outcomes, gather market intelligence and help ensure programmes remain relevant, impactful and responsive to regional and sector needs.

Programme Delivery and Stakeholder Management

Lead the delivery of innovation programmes and assigned workstreams, ensuring activities are delivered on time, to budget and against agreed outcomes. Coordinate delivery across clients, partners, suppliers, mentors, employers, innovators and wider stakeholders to ensure a high-quality experience and programme impact. Monitor programme performance, risks, budgets and KPIs, implementing corrective actions where required. Use participant, client and stakeholder feedback, data and delivery insights to continuously improve programme performance and outcomes.

Account Management and Ecosystem Development

Act as a regional and sector account manager, building and maintaining relationships with employers, industry partners, universities, investors, public sector organisations and innovation ecosystem stakeholders. Develop and manage stakeholder engagement plans that support programme objectives, participant opportunities and long-term partnership development. Represent Plexal and programme activity at events, workshops, networking activities and stakeholder forums. Gather market intelligence and ecosystem insights to identify opportunities, risks, emerging trends and future programme development opportunities.

Community, Network and Partnership Building

Support the development and management of mentor, expert, partner and alumni networks that strengthen programme delivery and participant outcomes. Facilitate connections between participants, partners, employers and wider ecosystem stakeholders. Identify opportunities to increase engagement, retention, collaboration and long-term community impact.

Opportunity and Business Development Support

Support engagement with employers, partners and stakeholders to identify opportunities for programme participants, innovators and businesses. Work with internal teams and delivery partners to develop pathways into funding, investment, commercial opportunities, skills development, employment or business growth support, as relevant to programme objectives. Maintain accurate stakeholder, activity and outcome records using CRM and programme management systems.

Partner and Delivery Management

Manage day-to-day partner relationships, ensuring delivery commitments, performance expectations and reporting requirements are met. Coordinate activity across consortium and delivery partners to ensure a consistent, high-quality experience for programme beneficiaries and stakeholders. Support programme reporting through accurate record keeping, evidence collection and performance tracking.

Commercial and Performance Management

Support delivery against programme budgets, contractual outcomes and resource plans. Monitor programme performance and contribute to forecasting, reporting, evaluation and continuous improvement activities. Ensure delivery complies with contractual, safeguarding, equality, data protection and organisational requirements.

Experience delivering innovation, entrepreneurship, business support, skills, employability, accelerator, incubator or ecosystem development programmes. Strong stakeholder management, partnership-building and account management experience. Experience working with a diverse range of stakeholders including startups, SMEs, corporates, universities, investors, public sector organisations and delivery partners. Experience managing programme delivery, coordinating multiple workstreams and delivering against KPIs and contractual commitments. Strong organisational, communication and relationship-management skills. Experience using CRM, project management and reporting systems to manage stakeholders, activities and programme performance. Commmercial awareness and experience managing budgets, resources, suppliers or partner relationships. Ability to analyse data, identify insights and use evidence to improve programme delivery and outcomes. Higher education degree or relevant experience. This role may require some national travel for delivery of projects and travel to all Plexal sites. Due to the nature of this posit