IMEA Water Leader

Joining Arup

At Arup we recognise the critical role water plays in sustaining life, enabling economic growth and regenerating the natural environment. We aim to work with others to shape a new future for the water sector. We will help drive change in the water sector through influencing the policy agenda and building the supporting frameworks, enabling growth in global investment in water infrastructure, helping organisations deliver on their purpose and be fit for the future and enhancing water resilience and stimulating nature recovery.

Our Water Business has been growing at pace for the past five years; expanding the range of services, our client reach and level of influence. Linking with our colleagues from diverse backgrounds we have retained our focus on value‑based work with purpose whilst developing a healthy pipeline, award recognition for delivery and established an enthusiastic cohort members dedicated to deliver of water across the water and project lifecycle.

We are now looking to use this momentum to accelerate our growth in India, Middle East and Africa where we have long established offices but a modest amount of water work. Our intention is to develop local cohorts winning and delivering a combination of local and international work.

This is a Region level business leadership role responsible for India, Middle East and Africa growth through market‑facing activities, managing client and partner relationships, driving collaboration, aligning the firm reputation, strategic priorities, and resource planning with client needs and external market conditions. You will be part of a small Senior Leadership Team reporting directly to the Regional Water Business Lead, Catherine Wenger.

• Leadership and market alignment: working with the local teams drive client and partner relationship activities, ensure accurate market understanding, represent the firm externally, and contribute to global business success through collaboration and best practice sharing.
• Strategy and collaboration: be responsible for the production of coherent growth plans specific to each location which respond to the Global Strategy, promote a client‑centric culture, set strategic priorities, prioritise investment, shape marketing activities and define future team size and shape.
• Water business and client insights: stay ahead of market trends, advocating on key issues, leading communications and work‑winning initiatives.
• Sponsor: be a visible and vocal advocate for the India, Middle East and Africa water cohort, representing them in forums where the local leadership is unable to be present due to geographic or time zone limitations.
• Empower: drive and lead on the growth of the local leadership, ensuring succession plans are active and leaders have visibility internally and externally.

• Ensures the firm’s decisions are based on a correct understanding of the external market and represents the voice of our clients internally. Recognising the fundamental differences across this collection of locations.
• Takes a regional role in managing our client and partner relationships and understanding the factors affecting the regional water market.
• Drives our Global success as part of Global Business activities. Collaborates with Business Leaders from other Regions on work‑winning, project delivery, including resource sharing. Brings and shares best practice between Regions.
• Supports the firm’s aspirations for Water Business growth.

• Actively stays ahead of the market trends and provides intelligence to support implementation of Business strategic priorities.
• Advocates on big questions and issues facing the Business as well as broader relevant societal issues.
• Recommends and advocates for resource planning (including promotions and recruitment) that aligns with market needs and Business Targets. Supporting a One Arup approach to delivery that brings together locations to provide the best delivery team for clients considering both capacity and capability.
• Actively create or identify opportunities, lead or advise on partnering discussions and…