Regional Research Manager

The Opportunity

In this role, you will manage Arup’s internally funded research portfolio across the UK, Europe, India, Middle East, and Africa (EIMEA) region, ensuring the delivery of high-quality research aligned with regional and global Arup priorities. 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

• Coordinate and manage Arup’s internal research portfolio in the EIMEA 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 the 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 the 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 EIMEA region, playing a pivotal role in connecting stakeholders, sharing insights, and driving engagement with our innovative research initiatives.

Is this role right for you?

• Strong 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.
• Exceptional 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

Arup provides an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success, offering competitive pay, health and wellbeing benefits, a wide range of learning opportunities, and many possibilities to have an impact through the work you do. Profit sharing is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Benefits That Work For You

• Professional Growth & Development: Benefit from continuous learning opportunities, training programmes and mentoring to improve your skills and develop your career, such as ‘Invest in Arup’, where employees can receive internal funding to develop innovative technologies and services, or ‘Arup University’, where we provide thousands of training courses to our employees. We also offer English lessons paid by Arup Poland.
• Global Opportunities: Collaborate with colleagues worldwide and explore potential short‑term or long‑term assignments at other Arup offices and project locations.
• Financial Well‑Being & Ownership: Receive a competitive salary and benefits package and share in Arup's success through our global profit‑sharing programme.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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, 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.