Strategy & Performance Director

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We are looking for a Performance & Strategy director who will provide strategic development and performance management of Arup's Water accelerator business, supporting the global water leadership team in driving growth, operational excellence, client focus and market expansion across all key growth regions. In this role, you will:

Strategic Leadership & Planning
•    Develop and refine the water business strategy, including market positioning and growth initiatives
•    Support the creation of business narratives and investment cases for senior leadership presentations
•    Lead strategic planning processes and facilitate leadership team decision-making
•    Manage the transition and implementation of the accelerator business model

Performance Management & Analytics
•    Design and maintain comprehensive performance dashboards covering financial metrics, strategic hires, and operational KPIs
•    Provide regular performance analysis and reporting to global leadership, including monthly updates with color-coded indicators
•    Monitor progress against agreed commercial and non-commercial targets including profit margins, income growth, key role and strategic hire placements
•    Collaborate with finance teams to ensure consistent data sources and accurate reporting
•    Implement regional performance reporting process
    

Change Management & Communications
•    Develop and execute change management strategies for business transformation initiatives
•    Create communication frameworks for cascading strategic messages across the water business and wider community
•    Support leadership development and succession planning activities
•    Facilitate town halls, leadership meetings, and regional engagement sessions
    

Investment & Commercial Excellence
•    Oversee strategic hire programs and investment allocation across regions
•    Support work-winning initiatives and pipeline development
•    Analyze commercial performance and identify improvement opportunities
•    Manage relationships with key stakeholders and support client engagement strategies
    

Support to Strategic Services
•    Apply skills and expertise on fee-paying commissions with the Strategic Services leadership
•    Contribute to proposals and fee-paying commissions eg facilitation, development of corporate and business strategy and organisational change
    

Is this role right for you?
•    Proven experience in strategy development and execution within professional services or engineering consultancy
•    Strong analytical skills with ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights
•    Experience with business transformation and accelerator/incubator models
•    Advanced skills in dashboard creation and performance analytics
•    Experience with financial analysis, budgeting, and commercial performance metrics
•    Proficiency in data visualization and reporting tools
•    Excellent facilitation and presentation skills for senior leadership audiences
•    Experience in change management and organizational development
•    Ability to work effectively across multiple regions and cultures
•    Strong written communication skills for narrative development, business case preparation and documentation
•    Experience with CRM systems and pipeline management
•    Knowledge of professional services business models
•    Understanding of water sector markets and opportunities preferred
 

This role requires someone who can operate at both strategic and operational levels, with strong analytical capabilities and the ability to drive change across a complex, global organization.

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 members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

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 contact nick.newell@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

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

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

Recruitment Agencies - We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.

Closing date: 17th October 2025