Communications Senior Specialist, SEA

Why Arup?

At Arup we’re dedicated to shaping a better world. Our purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 75 years. We solve the world's most complex problems and deliver what seems impossible, with curiosity and creativity. We’re a thriving and growing organisation which offers you many possibilities to shape a better world, and your future.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, our Marketing, Communications, and Business Development (MCBD) team enables Arup to build and protect our reputation, deepen client relationships, win quality work, and attract top talent. This role will be key in achieving our market, client and member engagement ambitions. We are seeking to appoint a Communications Senior Specialist for SEA to join our MCBD function.

What this role involves

The Communications Senior Specialist, SEA contributes to enhancing and protecting Arup’s brand and reputation through both internal communications and media relations activities. The role involves:

• Developing and executing communication plans in collaboration with APAC/Region Internal Communications and Media Relations Managers, SEA business leaders, and local offices.
• Designing and delivering content for mass reach outlets (news agencies, online and publications, broadcast, and strategic trade titles) and amplifying this content across Arup’s communication channels.
• Collaborating with APAC media relations colleagues, business leaders, partners, and marketers to drive strategic media relations to protect and enhance Arup’s brand and reputation across SEA.
• Supporting leaders in becoming effective communicators and ensuring internal communications align with Arup’s strategy and regional/global priorities.
• Supporting the effective cascade of communications into local offices and engaging communication between leadership and wider membership.

Key responsibilities

Internal and external communications

• Develop and implement communication campaigns and plans to support global and regional initiatives, ensuring effective impact across the geography and local offices.
• Provide insight, direction, and advice rooted in a deep understanding of Arup's culture to key stakeholders, becoming a trusted partner at all levels.
• Ensure alignment and effective cascade of messaging, helping members understand Arup’s strategy, business priorities, and their role.
• Curate and contribute geography-based content, stories, and case studies for geography, regional and global channels.
• Support significant business initiatives with communication guidance and implementation.
• Encourage the use of content and approaches that drive member engagement on digital channels.
• Oversee and manage in-office screen content and communication channels.
• Contribute to internal communications planning calendars.
• Adopt AI and other technology to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Share local context, metrics, and best practices with internal communications colleagues.
• Anticipate and identify areas requiring a communications response, aligning messaging plans.

Media relations

• Identify, create, and drive opportunities to promote Arup in priority media outlets.
• Develop earned media programmes and incorporate them into broader marketing and communications campaigns, reporting on coverage achieved.
• Advise marketers, business leaders, clients, and partners on maximising newsworthiness of research/announcements.
• Build relationships with journalists to secure mass audience coverage.
• Leverage global media activities to optimise local impact.
• Ensure consistent and accurate external messages relevant to the local market.
• Counsel senior leaders for media interviews, navigating risk and ensuring message pick-up.
• Coordinate and monitor media references to Arup, reporting to stakeholders.
• Share geography context, metrics, and best practices with the external communications community.
• Support the day-to-day management of PR agencies and suppliers.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is this role right for you?

Knowledge and experience

• Undergraduate or further degree or postgraduate professional qualification in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 7 years’ experience in designing, editing and writing communications, media relations and/or journalism.
• Experience in media relations/PR teams, with an appreciation of how different markets in SEA engage with media.
• Experience contributing to multichannel campaigns across SEA. 
• Effective in managing PR/Communications agencies and third-party suppliers. 
• Experience working with senior stakeholders in shaping narratives to influence and inspire internal and external audiences. 
• Experience in organising internal events e.g. townhalls, briefing sessions.

Skills and attributes

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with advanced understanding of English grammar and usage (English as a first language not required).
• Strong collaborator, able to engage colleagues, journalists, and third parties in a regional media approach.
• Deep understanding of packaging content for top-tier media outlets (national newspapers, broadcast, mass-reach platforms, trade media).
• Excellent project management skills. 
• Skilled at translating technical reports into engaging content for target titles.
• Understanding of using data to measure and evaluate campaigns.
• Ability to connect external and internal messaging for amplification.
• Ability to influence senior leaders, provide counsel, and prepare them for media engagement.
• Curiosity about AI and emerging communications tools for enhanced performance and storytelling.
• Commitment to Arup’s values, especially “straight and honourable dealings” and pursuit of excellence.

NOTE: This role requires flexibility to work outside standard hours due to the regional nature of the position. Minimum of three days a week in the office, and two days working from home.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair, and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling eligible members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our application process

To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/

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