About Arup
Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of designers, consultants and experts working globally.
At Arup you will have the opportunity to collaborate on ambitious projects - delivering remarkable outcomes for clients and communities, and to do socially useful work that has meaning.
Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set it apart for over 75 years, and now is your opportunity to join.
AMS is the world's leading provider of Talent Acquisition and Management Services. Our contingent Workforce Solutions (CWS) service acts as an extension of our clients' recruitment team and provides professional interim and temporary resources. We partner with Arup to support contingent recruitment processes.
On behalf of Arup, we are looking for a Transformation Programme Manager for an initial 6 month contract UK based with occasional travel to London.
We are looking for a Strategy Transformation Programme Manager to join the Strategy Office to support the delivery of a major transformation programme.
As Programme Manager you will play a critical role in ensuring the successful execution of the change programme through effective planning, governance, delivery oversight, and benefits realisation. The role will apply best practice programme and project management approaches (e.g., PRINCE2, MSP, Agile) to co-ordinate and facilitate delivery at pace, manage risks, and ensure strong coordination across multiple initiatives and stakeholders.
The role reports to the Transformation Director.
You should apply if:
- You have a strong background in programme and project management, PMO, portfolio management, governance, and stakeholder engagement.
- You are highly organised, detail-oriented, and passionate about delivering change outcomes successfully.
- You thrive in complex, fast-paced environments, managing interdependencies across multiple initiatives.
- You are motivated by helping large organisations achieve transformational change.
Responsibilities of the role include:
- Plan, manage, and oversee all phases of the transformation programme lifecycle from initiation to closure.
- Lead the development of programme plans, governance frameworks, initiative structures, and RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) logs.
- Coordinate with business leads and initiative owners to ensure alignment with strategic objectives, scope, and resource plans.
- Manage programme interdependencies, timelines, milestones, and structured project controls.
- Support and prepare materials for Executive Board, Arup Group Limited Board and other governance meetings, providing clear and timely reporting on progress, issues, and required decisions.
- Ensure compliance with programme governance, change control, and investment stage gate processes.
- Track programme budgets, financial forecasting, and monitor actual vs planned spend in collaboration with Finance.
- Drive risk management, mitigation planning, and escalation processes.
- Work closely with Enabling Functions (People, Finance, Digital, Systems) and Regions/Portfolios to embed change.
- Monitor delivery against benefits realisation metrics and ensure alignment with strategy KPIs.
- Lead programme-level stakeholder engagement and communications.
- Support continuous improvement in delivery practices and transformation maturity
Essential Skills and Qualifications:
- Experience in programme management, PMO, or portfolio delivery roles within a complex change environment.
- Strong experience with structured project management and governance methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, MSP).
- High level of proficiency with project management and reporting tools (e.g., MS Project, Power BI, Office 365 suite).
- Demonstrated experience coordinating multi-workstream programmes, managing risks, and ensuring benefits delivery.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong business acumen and financial management skills, particularly within transformation contexts.
- Experience supporting executive-level reporting and decision-making.
- Previous experience leading or supporting large-scale transformation or strategic change programmes.
Diversity at Arup:
Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. Guided by its values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Arup creates and contributes to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Arup's internal employee networks support their inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion - creating a space for everyone to express themselves and make a positive difference.
If you are interested in applying for this position and meet the criteria outlined above, please click the link to apply and speak to one of our Sourcing Specialists.
AMS are committed to providing all our candidates with the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. Please let us know if you require any additional support or reasonable adjustments during the screening process and we will work with you and Arup to identify the best solution to meet your requirements.
AMS, a Recruitment Process Outsourcing Company, may in the delivery of some of its services be deemed to operate as an Employment Agency or an Employment Business.