Middle East Business and Investor Advisory Lead – Transaction Director

Joining Arup

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, architects, consultants and technical specialists, working across every aspect of today’s-built environment. Together we help our clients solve their most complex challenges – turning exciting ideas into tangible reality as we strive to find a better way and shape a better world. As one of the world's leading building design consultancies, we offer clients the innovation and technical know-how to continually deliver their projects on schedule and on budget, without compromise. 

Watch this short clip to discover how Arup are shaping a better world and how you could be a part of it!

About this career opportunity

Our award-winning Business and Investor Advisory team is looking for a Senior Leader who can support the growth and development of our services in the Middle East.  This will include growing our presence in.

·       Deal Advisory (M&A) services to investors, asset owners, government and regulators across all of our asset sectors.

·       Major project financing and associated advisory services to clients and companies in the power, renewables, energy transition, networks, telecoms and transport markets.

·       Advice on markets, policies and business cases to government entities, regulators and developers. 

We are looking for a team lead with excellent networking, collaboration and work winning skills to work within our wider Advisory business providing strategic advice.

The candidate will be a self-starter, able to manage complex assignments, with line management responsibility both to support the development of the existing team and to consider its future development leveraging expertise both within the BIA team, and Arup’s wider global business.  Our work tends to be global in nature, and experience of working in other geographies is welcome though a strong working knowledge of Middle East energy markets is essential.

Our market leading team specialises in transactions advice and providing strategic analysis and providing a range of strategic advisory services to infrastructure investors, asset owners, regulators and government. Our team is consistently recognised as an award-winning technical advisor across energy infrastructure globally with particular expertise in regulated utilities, renewable energy, decarbonisation, transportation and telecoms.

The team is highly aligned with Arup’s “A Better Way” strategy and with our commitment to the United Nations SDGs and a route to net zero carbon.

You will be responsible both for your own continuing professional development and leading by example.  You will also be responsible for mentoring and supporting the development of others around you to support the continued growth and development of our award-winning team. You will be involved in in both business development and managing client relationships as well as delivering the highest quality work products in a transaction advisory context.

Client relationship development and work winning, Leading assignments, Commercial management of assignments, Client facing roles, Leadership, Sectoral knowledge, Process improvement and continuous development, Advocating for Arup.

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?

We are looking for people with:

·       Masters level Degree in Engineering, Finance or Economics or similar with infrastructure advisory and investment experience. Attained Chartered status or equivalent with a recognised professional institution.

·       Prior experience of due diligence, business case analysis or strategic advisory roles on infrastructure assets.

·       Excellent English verbal, written and presentational communication skills. Multiple languages also considered highly desirable. Excellent team working and leadership skills.

·       Strong planning and organisational skills and Strong networking and relationship management skills.

·       Expertise in areas of specialist knowledge – examples of thought leadership and active participation in industry thinking.

·       Willingness to travel.

Not ready to apply just yet, or have some questions? Please email Karin Spies karin.spies@arup.com

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 recognizes 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 members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Benefits include cover under the UAE Healthcare Plan (private medical insurance with dental cover up to a limit), Life Assurance and Personal Accident Insurance cover.  These are funded by us and made available to all permanent staff in order to support and safeguard your financial, physical and mental wellbeing.

We also offer Schooling allowance for up to 3 children who live in the UAE (caps apply), Professional subscriptions (reimbursement for up to 3 subscriptions to a limited amount approved by the Firm), interest free loans for house rental costs, employee assistance programme (counselling) and holiday trading (buy or sell of up to 5 days holiday per year).

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Karin Spies karin.spies@arup.com to 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

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Closing Date: Monday 18 August 2025