Innovation Lead – Cyber

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.
• Team player and…