Technology Consultant, AI Security

## The Role's Purpose
The Technology consultant will play a key role in delivering Plexal-led innovation and technology consulting programmes. Working as part of cross-functional consulting and research teams, the post holder will help organisations navigate the emerging technology landscape with a focus on AI Security, understand threat landscapes, assess opportunities and risks, and make informed strategic and operational decisions.

The role will involve contributing to research, analysis, stakeholder engagement and high-impact deliverables that support clients to de-risk potential investments, engage with the innovation ecosystem and identify deployable capabilities. The post holder will help map how AI Security and related emerging technologies are evolving, identify relevant capability in the UK and beyond, and translate technical, market and policy insights into accessible recommendations for clients.

We are a rapidly growing team and are actively looking to recruit exceptional individuals who want to work in an adaptive, fast-moving and collaborative environment.
## What You'll Do
This role will be a fixed-term opportunity with the possibility of extension or to go permanent.

- Shape insights about the future of AI Security and related emerging technology sectors.
- Monitor AI Security technology trends, threat landscapes, policy developments, market needs and wider drivers to inform client advice and Plexal’s innovation work.
- Assess AI Security and emerging technology propositions, including helping to interrogate vendor claims, understand technical trade-offs and identify risks and opportunities.
- Engage with innovators, startups, vendors, clients and ecosystem partners to understand their needs, challenges, capabilities and growth requirements.
- Support the design and delivery of end-to-end research and consulting projects for clients, including scoping research questions, applying qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, interpreting findings and turning analysis into clear recommendations.
- Create high-impact deliverables, presentations and reports that help clients make decisions on cybersecurity, emerging technology strategy and innovation opportunities.
- Proactively manage regular interaction, communication and collaboration with external stakeholders.
- Support business development by contributing to public sector bids, bespoke proposals and the development of compelling client propositions.

Your Skills

- Highly organised with a good understanding of innovation, collaboration and project management practices, tools and methodologies.
- Analytical, with the ability to think critically and to understand, interpret and articulate complex technical, market and policy concepts.
- Research and analysis skills, including strong analytical reasoning, methodological thinking, the ability to frame ambiguous problems and intellectual curiosity.
- Ability to translate technical concepts, trade-offs, risks and opportunities for audiences ranging from senior leaders through to technical specialists.
- A structured, concise communicator who can confidently use key tools including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as project management and brainstorming tools.
- Competent at taking responsibility for producing high-quality deliverables and presentations for senior external audiences.

Your Experience

- Experienced working within two or more of the following: a large innovation function, leading consultancy, technology startup or accelerator, research environment, AI Security organisation or technology delivery team.
- Able to demonstrate strategic awareness across AI Security and emerging technology markets and provide an outside-in perspective to clients on emerging market needs, trends, opportunities and technologies.
- Evidence of building trust-based relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including innovators, startups, corporate clients, public sector clients or technical communities.
- Able to communicate AI Security and emerging technology topics in an accessible and compelling narrative for non-specialist and specialist audiences.

Who You Are

- Personally resilient, with the ability to stay focused on the overall objective, responding to challenges in a calm and measured way,
- Energised by the challenges and opportunities presented by working for a high-growth company,
- Passionate about the development of AI Security and other areas of emerging technology.
- Flexible when working within a matrix structure with changing organisational and operational requirements.
- This role may require some national travel for delivery of projects and travel to all Plexal sites.
- Educated to a Bachelor-degree level or equivalent
- SC or DV clearance desired
- Due to the nature of this position, our work, and our client engagements, you must be willing and eligible to achieve a minimum of SC clearance. To qualify for SC clearance, you must be a British Citizen or have resided in the UK for the last 5 years with no extensive periods outside of the UK. Pre-existing SC welcome. For more information about clearance eligibility, please see https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/united-kingdom-security-vetting

Why us?

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: Circa £55,000 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.