The Role's Purpose The Innovation Consultant will play an important role in designing, launching and growing new innovation clusters. This role will be based in Reading to work on a specific project for Plexal, but will integrate with the wider team to support cluster development initiatives, build key partnerships, and help clients realise the full value of place-based innovation ecosystems. This role will be based in Reading What You'll Do Shape insights about the future of technology sectors and their applications in market, and how Plexal can play a role in their growth Create high-impact outputs that help clients make decisions on their emerging technology strategy Define how place, programme, ecosystem, investment and insight can create transformational outcomes for key growth sectors and regions Serve as a trusted advisor to key clients, building key external relationships Engage with innovators to understand their needs, challenges and the interventions that will support their growth Coordinate consortia or delivery partnerships to tackle mission-driven innovation opportunities Manage and deliver bespoke business support programmes to help scale startups and scale-ups with emerging technology products Work on the design and delivery of world-class innovation and challenge-led programmes and other client deliverables Lead or contribute to proposals and responses to public sector tenders Your Skills Highly organised with a good understanding of innovation and collaboration practices A highly effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with a range of stakeholder groups Analytical, with the ability to think critically and to understand, interpret and articulate complex concepts Able to work with multiple stakeholders, including startups and corporate clients, while also understanding the practicalities of working in a small and growing company Your Experience Experienced in working in technology innovation through a role within a corporate innovation function, strategy or management consultancy, tech startup, accelerator or S&T government organisation Able to demonstrate wide-ranging business awareness along with a general level of technical aptitude and a keen interest in cutting-edge applications Able to demonstrate strategic awareness across technology markets and sectors and provide an outside-in perspective to clients when it comes to emerging market needs, trends, opportunities and technologies Higher Education degree, or relevant professional certifications, or equivalent knowledge gained via work experience. Desirable Experience in innovation, economic development, strategy, consultancy, or technology ecosystem roles Who You Are Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and operating in constantly changing environment Energised by the challenges and opportunities presented working for a high-growth company. Resilient and calm under pressure, with a solutions-driven approach Passionate about building inclusive, impactful innovation ecosystems Comfortable working across sectors and with varied stakeholder types Why us? Plexal’s Values Mission : We inherit the mission of 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 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: £55,000 - 60,000 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 individuals from all backgrounds. We are a Disability Committed employer and are willing to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.