{"id":4038483,"url":"https://alion.io/job/plexal-community-and-communications-associate","title":"Community and Communications Associate","company":{"id":2304334,"name":"Plexal","domain":"plexal.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/plexal","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Personio","truth_index":null},"role":"Communications","role_family":"Communications","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Reading, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":35000,"max":null,"currency":"GBP","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":46611},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"SharePoint","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-10T10:31:04Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-10","last_verified_at":"2026-11-10T21:29:19Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":0,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":0},"description":"The Role's Purpose\nThis varied, hands-on role combines the day-to-day operation of our Reading innovation hub, with a particular focus on professional communications, community building through activities including hackathons, ideation sprints, maker workshops, group learning activities etc), and support for innovation projects and programmes. This role helps create and sustain an environment which encourages innovation so that it feels like a natural behaviour, rather than administering it.You will work alongside our Community and Innovation Associate. Together, these two Associate roles share community, front-of-house and operational responsibilities, providing cover for one another. For this vacancy, we particularly seek communications and event-delivery experience, strong organisation skills and an interest in developing skills across innovation and programme delivery from conception to handover / execution.\nThis fast-paced, collaborative role suits someone with sound judgement and excellent people skills who is equally willing to undertake the practical tasks that keep a busy innovation hub running well.\nWhat You'll Do\nCommunications and ContentDraft newsletters, social content and event communications using agreed templates and guidance on the key messages to convey. Develop new styles to keep the hub brand fresh and exciting.\nDraft project updates, blogs, event write-ups, case studies and community stories for agreed channels, adapting material for different audiences with input from innovation and communications colleagues where needed.\nPlan and maintain the communications and content calendar, plan their workload and source the information and materials needed to deliver agreed content by the required deadlines.\nUse agreed platforms and templates, and online tools, to create and send emails and set up events, including using SharePoint, seeking advice or approval where required.\nWith guidance on the feedback required, create and use suitable feedback methods, such as forms, email and in-person conversations, then gather the results and provide trends and summaries to the wider team.\nEventsCoordinate event logistics - e.g. creating registration pages, joining instructions, writing event copy, manage RSVPs, organise and set up the location including catering, liaise with speakers and other key stakeholders.\nSupport delivery on the day.\nMonitor engagement and other agreed communications metrics, sharing results with the team to support future planning and improvements.\nCommunity and Hub OperationsShare responsibility with the other Community and Innovation Associate for in-person hub cover, including an agreed early/late pattern.\nCreate a welcoming and inclusive hub experience for members, clients, visitors, partners and colleagues, building positive relationships and encouraging people to connect and take part.\nManage visitor bookings, access and practical arrangements for meetings and events.\nOpen, prepare and close the hub as required, ensuring it is ready for the working day and planned activities.\nMaintain a presentable, organised and stocked environment, including room preparation, supplies and kitchen sundries.\nCoordinate shared spaces, respond to routine requests and resolve straightforward operational issues, escalating facilities or IT problems where needed.\nShare practical suggestions for improving the community and hub experience, based on feedback and day-to-day observations, for the wider team to consider.\nSuggest methods / approaches that further nurture and grow the hub community, advancing reach and cultural impact.\nProvide reasonable cover for the other Community and Innovation Associate during annual leave, absence and periods of increased activity.\nBuild relationships across clients, partners and delivery teams to connect people, share information and maintain momentum.\nProgramme and Project SupportSupport project, programme and community activity by gathering updates, coordinating communications and keeping stakeholders informedfromchallenge triage and definition, through eachproject’sduration.\nMaintain high-quality project documentation, communications and reporting materials.\nSupport regular project and programme reporting and meeting governance, including written status updates, stakeholder briefings, inputs, papers, actions and follow-up.\nProactively identify information gaps, blockers or emerging issues that could affect engagement or delivery, escalating where appropriate.\nYour Skills\nStrong written communication, with the ability to tailor messages, channels and timing to different audiences.\nExcellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills; confident engagingdiverse stakeholders and creating a welcoming community.\nHighly organised and reliable, able to plan and prioritise multiple activities, deadlines and stakeholders.\nGood judgement and attention to detail; able to take ownership and know when to seek advice or escalate.\nProactive and flexible, comfortable combining professional stakeholder work with practical hub administration.\nStrong Word and PowerPoint skills, good working knowledge of Excel and ability to learn new digital tools quickly.\nDevelop metrics / objective key results to show and evidence effectiveness of actions against pre-agreed goals / objectives.\nYour Experience\nPractical experience planning and delivering events, workshops, meetings or community engagements.\nExperience creating professional communications for different audiences.\nExperience gained in events, communications, marketing, community engagement, hospitality or a comparable environment.\nExperience developing communications or engagement plans and content across newsletters, digital platforms, social media, case studies or similar channels.\nExperience supporting projects or programmes through trackers, actions, risks, reporting or governance.\nExperience working at pace with multiple stakeholder groups, ideally in innovation, technology, defence, government or another complex environment.\nWho You Are\nEnergised by working in a fast-paced, high-growth organisation and innovation environment.\nConfident engaging with diverse stakeholder groups.\nA natural community-builder who enjoys connecting people, creating energy and helping others feel welcome and able to contribute.\nA motivated self-starter who takes initiative, exercises good judgement and is comfortable operating with ambiguity.\nA collaborative team player who is equally willing to lead an activity or undertake routine tasks that support colleagues and the hub.\nCurious, adaptable and interested in developing broader innovation and programme delivery capability.\nThis is a predominantly site-based role because the team provides in-person operational cover for the Reading innovation hub.\nThe Associate team covers the hub’s approximately 08:00-17:30 operating day through an agreed early/late rota. Individuals are not routinely expected to work the full period\nFlexibility is required to cover colleague annual leave and absence and occasionally support activities outside normal hours. Additional hours are managed through Plexal’s TOIL arrangements.\nThe majority ofthe working week will be based at the Reading hub. Some home working may be possible where operational requirements and Associate cover allow.\nMay require business travel across Plexalsites.\nAbility to manage and influence through face-to-face and virtual team environments.\nMust be able to achieve a minimum of SC clearance.\nThis job profile is not exhaustive; the post holder may undertake other reasonable duties as directed by the Line Manager.\nWhy us?\nAs 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.\nIn return we will offer you:\nSalary: Circa £35,000 depending on skills and experience\nAnnual bonus scheme\nA generous pension scheme (with a company contribution of up to 10%)\nPrivate healthcare, life assurance and critical illness cover\n25 days holiday plus bank holidays\nVolunteering day\nPlexal is an equal opportunities employer and we actively encourage applicants from individuals from all backgrounds. 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