Joining Arup

Arup is a multi–disciplinary global firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants, and technical specialists, working across every aspect of the 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 a wholly independent organisation, we are owned in trust for the benefit of our employees. This allows us to determine our own direction and to make clear-sighted, thoughtful, long-term decisions about our priorities as a business and as a member of a sustainable society.

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 enabling 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.

Within our Strategic Services for Water teams, we draw on our broad range of advisory, sustainability, planning and digital skills, alongside Arup’s deep technical understanding of integrated systems, to help clients cut through complex challenges and take positive action with greater confidence.

This is a great opportunity to continue to lead the expansion of our emerging water policy, regulation & governance service offering for water which is now successfully established and primed for growth.

The role:

The candidate should have a knowledge of the UK and international water policy and regulation environment and have a strong network of contacts across the sector to be able to convene and influence for strategic change.

You will play a key leadership role in the following areas:

Cunliffe review recommendations and implementation (across all areas but particularly effective economic regulation and pricing, planning, analysis of trade-offs).
Implementation of Corry review of Defra’s regulatory landscape (implications for nature markets and green finance, likely greater focus on trade-offs between environment and economic growth, economic and financial incentives).
Policy advice to government bodies such as Defra, OEP on the future shape of the water sector, how to accelerate access to private investment in climate adaptation and nature recovery.
Regulatory advice to Ofwat and its successor body on evolving the regulatory framework to respond to the new policy drivers and to deliver resilience and nature outcomes, moving to catchment based delivery models
Corporate advice to water companies to respond and adapt to the new policy and regulatory environment and to deliver new outcome needs.
PR29 preparation – designing effective economic regulation framework and regulatory business planning; likely more focus on nature-based solutions, trade-offs between bills/service levels/financing, risk allocation (between customer, companies, other water users, environment).
Advice and engagement with international actors such as the Nature Conservancy, Stockholm Water Institute on global development of water policy.

Is this role right for you?

You will be a motivated, enthusiastic and competent individual with a strong track record of developing water policy and regulatory advice, building client relationships, and winning and successfully delivering policy and governance advice.

You will require the following knowledge, skills and attributes:

Recognised water industry expertise in policy, regulation and governance;

Strong proven consultancy skills and ability to focus on and where possible exceed client expectations;

Experience of engaging at government policy level, working with leaders across different forms of regulatory bodies and helping develop corporate strategic responses to policy drivers;
Experience of developing business strategies and/or client development plans to provide focus to business development and of successfully implementing strategies/plans;

A background of working with clients to understand their requirements and map out solutions to ensure opportunities for Arup are maximised;

Experience of leading teams in the bidding and delivery (establishing and leading teams) of projects, including technical specialists and multi-disciplinary teams and sourcing sub-consultants where necessary;

Experience of working within a commercial environment (bids and projects), including client liaison, programme and time management, quality assurance and financial/budget control;

Experience of developing technical skills in staff within policy, regulation and governance to ensure career progression, depth in resources and succession planning.

Qualifications

Education to degree level; chartership at a relevant professional body

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 sarah-x.graham@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 https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for 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

Policy, Regulation & Governance Lead