Strategic Account Lead, National Security (Manchester)

Plexal operates at the intersection of government, industry and emerging technology — helping organisations turn innovation ambition into practical capability, adoption and measurable impact. National Security is a core growth area for Plexal’s Innovation Services business, where we support government clients to adopt new technology, build innovation ecosystems and respond to emerging threats and opportunities.

The National Security Senior Lead will drive commercial growth and strategic client engagement across the North West’s National Security landscape. You will lead Plexal’s engagement with our National Security clients in the region, convert existing relationships into sustained revenue, diversify Plexal’s client base, and shape new opportunities in a rapidly evolving market.

This is a senior, hands‑on commercial role suited to a growth‑minded consultant who thrives on building relationships, enjoys operating in low‑structure environments, and wants to influence how emerging technology is adopted across secure‑government markets.

• Lead strategic client relationships across the North West’s National Security and adjacent secure‑government markets, ensuring strong partnerships throughout the full lifecycle of engagement — from prospecting and opportunity shaping to delivery oversight and customer satisfaction.
• Act as the senior account lead for Plexal’s National Security clients in the NW, maintaining a visible presence to strengthen Plexal’s brand, reputation and trusted‑partner status.
• Drive significant revenue growth, converting existing opportunities into sustained pipeline and bringing on new relationships, revenue streams and multi‑year engagements.
• Diversify Plexal’s NS client base, expanding engagement across customer business units and building new lines of effort that deliver meaningful commercial growth.
• Expand partnerships with suppliers and ecosystem organisations across the NW, shaping collaborative commercial opportunities, consortium bids and new routes to market.
• Act as an ambassador for Plexal within the NW’s National Security and Defence ecosystem — including academia, industry and innovation partners — strengthening Plexal’s reputation and identifying new collaborators.
• Develop and refine propositions that respond to client needs, market trends and emerging technology opportunities, working closely with the wider National Security & Defence team.
• Provide insight into market trends, procurement behaviours and customer priorities to inform Plexal’s National Security account strategy and support strategic campaigns across the NS & Defence portfolio.
• Contribute to the evolution of the GTM function, supporting process improvements, commercial maturity and scalable growth practices.

Essential

• Proven track record of relationship‑based sales, winning new business and shaping commercial opportunities.
• Experience working directly with National Security or adjacent secure‑government clients (e.g., Defence, Policing, Secure GovTech).
• Strong consultancy background, with the ability to operate across strategy, delivery oversight and hands‑on opportunity execution.
• Strong understanding of government procurement, commercial processes and how secure‑government organisations buy and adopt technology.
• Ability to operate autonomously while collaborating effectively across GTM, delivery and regionally dispersed teams.

Desirable

• Experience supporting technology adoption, innovation ecosystems or organisational change within government.
• Demonstrable experience shaping and delivering strategic bids, consortium partnerships or multi‑stakeholder commercial opportunities.
• Success securing and growing £1m+ contracts or multi‑year engagements.
• Existing knowledge of National Security market dynamics, customer priorities and supplier ecosystems in the North West.

• Highly relational, with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust quickly.
• Strategic thinker able to understand long‑term client trends and translate them into credible propositions.
• Growth‑minded — motivated by building new opportunities, expanding relationships and shaping commercial direction.
• Comfortable taking ownership and driving outcomes independently.
• Collaborative, supportive and aligned to Plexal’s culture of partnership and innovation.
• Candidates must be eligible to undergo security clearance or hold current security clearance. (See more on clearance eligibility.)

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: Up to £80,000 - £100,000 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.