Strategic Growth Lead in Manchester

Plexal operates at the intersection of government, industry and emerging technology, helping organisations translate ambition into adoption and measurable impact. This role is a lead commercial and client‑facing position focused on how government turns policy into procurement — and how Plexal can shape, influence and win the opportunities that follow.
The Strategic Growth Lead will build trusted relationships across government, understand where policy and spending are moving, and convert those insights into qualified commercial opportunities. You will influence procurement direction, shape opportunities before they reach formal routes to market, and lead customers through the full sales lifecycle — from early engagement to negotiation and contract award.
Candidates from large enterprises, government, secure‑government markets or major public‑sector suppliers are highly desirable. What matters is your ability to understand government decision‑making, influence procurement, and sell complex technology‑enabled services through a consultative approach.

What You'll Do

Opportunity Origination & Procurement Influence

• Build relationships across government departments, opening new conversations beyond Plexal’s existing network.
• Understand how policy, funding and organisational change translate into procurement — and use that insight to shape opportunities early.
• Influence procurement direction by aligning customer priorities with Plexal’s capabilities and market positioning.
• Identify opportunities that can reach £1m+ contract value and lead multi‑year engagements.

The Role's Purpose

Plexal operates at the intersection of government, industry and emerging technology, helping organisations translate ambition into adoption and measurable impact. This role is a lead commercial and client‑facing position focused on how government turns policy into procurement — and how Plexal can shape, influence and win the opportunities that follow.
The Strategic Growth Lead will build trusted relationships across government, understand where policy and spending are moving, and convert those insights into qualified commercial opportunities. You will influence procurement direction, shape opportunities before they reach formal routes to market, and lead customers through the full sales lifecycle — from early engagement to negotiation and contract award.
Candidates from large enterprises, government, secure‑government markets or major public‑sector suppliers are highly desirable. What matters is your ability to understand government decision‑making, influence procurement, and sell complex technology‑enabled services through a consultative approach.

What You'll Do

Opportunity Origination & Procurement Influence

• Build relationships across government departments, opening new conversations beyond Plexal’s existing network.
• Understand how policy, funding and organisational change translate into procurement — and use that insight to shape opportunities early.
• Influence procurement direction by aligning customer priorities with Plexal’s capabilities and market positioning.
• Identify opportunities that can reach £1m+ contract value and lead multi‑year engagements.

Consultative Technology Selling

• Lead customers through the end‑to‑end sales lifecycle: discovery, shaping, qualification, negotiation and contract award.
• Sell technology‑enabled services through a consultative, problem‑led approach
• Help government clients adopt critical technologies by translating needs into credible propositions and delivery pathways.

Commercial Leadership & Pursuit Discipline

• Shape opportunities before formal procurement, ensuring Plexal is positioned with the right partners, capabilities and commercial strategy.
• Lead complex multi‑stakeholder pursuits, including negotiations and commercial structuring.
• Build repeatable approaches to opportunity identification, qualification and pursuit across the organisation.

Market Insight & Strategic Positioning

• Maintain deep understanding of government priorities, spending routes, procurement behaviours and investment strategies.
• Translate policy, reform and market signals into qualified opportunities Plexal can credibly win.
• Position Plexal as a trusted partner for government organisations adopting critical technologies.

Ecosystem & Partner Development

• Build relationships with consultancies, technology providers, universities and delivery partners to strengthen routes to market.
• Shape consortium approaches where partner‑led models improve Plexal’s ability to win priority opportunities.
• Represent Plexal at senior government‑facing events, forums and industry engagements.

Your Experience

Essential

• Deep understanding of how government translates policy into procurement, including funding routes, commercial processes and decision‑making.
• Proven ability to influence procurement, shape opportunities early and lead customers through the full sales lifecycle.
• Experience negotiating and winning complex government contracts (ideally £1m+).
• Strong consultative selling capability — able to diagnose problems, shape propositions and sell technology‑enabled services.
• Background in government, large enterprise, secure‑government markets, consulting or major public‑sector suppliers.
• Ability to operate autonomously, build senior relationships and convert insight into commercial outcomes.

Desirable

• Experience shaping multi‑stakeholder or consortium bids.
• Understanding of government priorities relating to technology adoption, digital transformation, cyber resilience or economic growth.
• Experience working in scaling or entrepreneurial environments.

Who You Are

• Commercially driven, outcome‑focused and proactive.
• Highly credible with senior government stakeholders.
• Strong relationship builder with excellent negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinker able to translate policy and market signals into action.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and shaping undefined opportunities. Collaborative, resilient and adaptable.
• Willingness to undertake regular national travel (>40%) and occasional international travel

Candidates must be eligible to undergo security clearance or hold current security clearance.( See more on clearance eligibility. )

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.

• Salary: £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.