Innovation Associate, Partnerships

General, full-time, London Hybrid, Growth Partnerships, Permanent employee, entry-level, 1-2 years, Other, Other

This role will support the Plexal proposition, Growth Partnership. It will support start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs with a 1-to-1 growth support programme where they will be embedded in a small number of high potential companies.

Plexal is driving a new category of intervention in support of the UK Government’s number one mission of economic growth. You can read more about the Growth Partnership here:

As an Innovation Associate, you could also work collaboratively with the Innovation Services team to deliver other cross‑competency projects. This may include working on programme delivery, research activity, or innovation consulting. You’ll get the opportunity to engage with a diverse array of stakeholders, including startups, scale‑ups, corporations, government, non‑profit organisations, investors and academia.

• Engage with SMEs to understand their needs, challenges and interventions that will support their growth.
• Identify, create and implement an effective growth plan and strategy for the SME.
• Manage and deliver bespoke support to SMEs, in line with their growth needs—this could involve securing investment, driving sales acquisitions, improving brand and awareness, driving marketing strategy, improving product management or working on team organisation and culture.
• Undertake quantitative analysis, market research and data collection to stay informed about key technology trends, emerging startups and innovation/growth themes and develop acute market awareness.
• Support the design and delivery of innovation programmes and related content at Plexal to engage SMEs, clients and the wider ecosystem.
• Continuously monitor the start‑up and innovation landscape, seeking opportunities to engage with promising innovators and entrepreneurs.
• Proactively manage regular interaction, communication and collaboration with external stakeholders.
• Support administrative aspects of innovation project management—including maintaining project documentation and handling financial queries.
• May require business travel across Plexal sites.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage and influence through both face‑to‑face and virtual team environments.
• May be asked to undergo Security Clearance (minimum requirement: British Citizen or at least five years’ residency in the country, no significant gaps out of the UK). Pre‑existing SC is welcomed.

• Highly organised with an understanding of barriers to startup growth and innovation practices.
• Effective customer and stakeholder engagement.
• Understanding of business strategy.
• Effective planning and prioritisation skills with the ability to keep track of multiple tasks and deliverables.
• Analytical, with the ability to think critically and to understand, interpret and articulate complex concepts and requirements.
• Competent at producing high‑quality deliverables and presentations for external audiences.
• Excellent Project Management, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Financial acumen.
• Higher Education degree, or relevant professional certifications, or equivalent knowledge gained via work experience.

Essential

• 2 years’ experience working in an innovative environment such as a startup, incubator, accelerator, VC or consultancy.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, such as startups and corporate clients, and an understanding of the practicalities of working in a growing company.
• Experience in facilitating and delivering external workshops or events to a high standard, both virtually and in‑person.

Desirable

• Experience and understanding of innovation processes such as lean startup.
• Experience in innovation programme delivery.
• Experience in startup mentorship.

• Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and operating in a constantly changing environment.
• Energised by the challenges and opportunities presented by working for a high‑growth company.
• Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Team player and motivated self‑starter who can take initiative with workload…