Regional Research Manager
About Arup
Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built and natural environment. Working in more than 140 countries, the firm’s designers, engineers, architects, planners, consultants, and technical specialists work with our clients on innovative projects of the highest quality and impact. As a wholly independent organisation, we are owned in trust for the benefit of our employees and their dependents: with no shareholders or external investors we determine our own business priorities and direction.
About Arup University
Established in 2009, Arup University (AU) sits at the heart of how Arup learns, innovates, evolves, and delivers its best work. We enable our firm to see further, design better, and create lasting impact. Our mission is to help our members, leadership, and clients navigate change, deliver excellence, and thrive in a fast-changing world.
The core focal areas of Arup’s Strategy – enabling Total Design, being immersed in our markets, being agile and borderless, and providing an industry leading member experience – are all enabled by the capabilities, programmes, and services provided by AU. This includes our strategic foresight, research and innovation capability, our learning function, capabilities in knowledge- and information management, as well as our global skills networks and work in heritage.
https://www.arup.com/about-us/arup-university/
Is this Role Right for You?
In this role, you will manage Arup’s internally funded research portfolio in the mericas region, ensuring the delivery of high-quality research aligned with regional and global Arup priorities. Staying well-informed of internal and external research landscape, Arup client projects, emerging industry trends, and foresight work in your region, you will collaborate with regional leaders to set regional research priorities and support Arup researchers turn their ideas into valuable and impactful research that responds to local client and societal needs.
Working closely with a small cohort of research managers and under the guidance of the Research Engagement & Partnership Lead, you will design research ideation and research sharing activities, connect researchers across disciplines and business units, and link them with relevant skill leaders, client relationship managers, and marketing and communication teams to maximise value and impact of Arup research. You will also help establish strategic research partnerships with universities and Arup clients, all in support of the region’s research ambitions and Arup’s broader strategic objectives.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will have strong programme management skills, excellent communication capabilities, and the ability to work with a broad spectrum of senior stakeholders to set strategic research priorities and shape research projects to align. Proven experience managing research and/or innovation programmes is a significant advantage.
· Coordinate and manage Arup’s internal research portfolio in Americas region, ensuring delivery of high-quality research with tangible ROI for Arup.
· Monitor and synthesise external research, Arup client projects, and foresight insights relevant to the region, to inform research opportunities and priorities.
· Work closely with regional leaders and client relationship management teams to set and refine regional research priorities and ensure portfolio alignment.
· Drive internal engagement in research programme, develop a strong research and innovation culture, and support Arup researchers transform ideas into impactful research projects.
· Maintain and enhance research delivery frameworks, templates, and digital tools that enable efficient research processes, transparent decision-making, and knowledge sharing within and beyond Arup.
· Support Global Research Engagement & Partnerships Lead in establishing external partnerships with clients and universities to maximise research value and impact.
· Support the assessment and communication of research outcomes, ensuring learnings and values are captured and reused across bids, client conversations, and services.
· Serve as the go-to person for all internal and external queries regarding Arup’s research programme and portfolio in the Americas region, playing a pivotal role in connecting stakeholders, sharing insights, and driving engagement with our innovative research initiatives.
Skills and experience
· Relevant experience in programme management within a research or innovation environment, and preferable applying a mission-led approach.
· Experience in research or innovation fund management, including budgeting, governance and performance tracking.
· Skills in data driven workflows, automated processes, and the use of digital tools for investment or research management are advantageous.
· Experience facilitating and driving research ideation and supporting high quality research projects from idea through to completion and ideally into commercialisation.
· Excellent planning, organisational and analytical skills with the ability to work systematically and manage multiple concurrent workstreams and priorities.
· Effective interpersonal skills to establish productive working relationships and networks with stakeholders at all levels of seniority across large global organisations.
· Ability to capture and translate complex data and insights into clear, actionable research value stories through excellent written and verbal communication skills.
· Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (or equivalent experience); postgraduate qualification desirable.
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 at Work - At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families. These are 100% paid for by Arup except for optional life insurance. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal. Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi-annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm. As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our GRRSP 5% company match to help you save for your future.
Flexible Working - We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available.
Hiring Range – The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in Toronto is 105,000 to 115,000 per year. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of Toronto will differ.
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.
Our Application Process
To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/
Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.
#LI-JB2