Joining 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 dependants: 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/
The Opportunity
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Learning Lead to join the Arup University Learning team and play a pivotal role in delivering a comprehensive and integrated global programme of learning and development (L&D) initiatives. In this role, you will ensure that global learning priorities are effectively implemented across the APAC (Asia Pacific) region, while also adapting programmes to respond to local market dynamics and needs. Your contribution will help shape our forward learning strategy, ensuring a unified approach that remains relevant and impactful at both global and regional levels.
As a Region Learning Lead, you will be part of the Global Learning Leadership Team, working collaboratively across AU and the People team to set priorities and deliver on the global, integrated learning plan. Together, you will ensure that all members in your region have access to impactful learning programmes, initiatives, and development strategies that are fully aligned with Arup’s strategic objectives, while also meeting local needs where required. You will co-create and deploy targeted learning interventions that address the specific business needs of your region, leveraging deep technical expertise and a commitment to continuous upskilling.
Collaboration is at the heart of this role. You will work closely with colleagues across Arup University and the People team, bringing the best of AU to your region and advocating for the effective application of learning on the job. By partnering with in-business colleagues and regional stakeholders, you will tailor learning offerings to reflect geography-specific codes of practice and regional priorities, all while upholding global principles, driving consistency, and enabling quality assurance.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of learning at Arup, working as one global team to deliver a unified yet locally relevant learning experience for our members. If you are passionate about building inclusive, high-impact learning communities and thrive in a collaborative, international environment, we invite you to help drive Arup’s success through the power of learning.
Key responsibilities:
- Strategic Alignment and Regional Adaptation
Be a member of the Global Learning Leadership Team, working on an integrated, global learning plan that reflects and enables global, regional and local learning priorities, while driving consistency, economies of scale, and quality assurance.
Deliver global learning priorities in regionally appropriate ways, ensuring alignment with both global and local requirements.
Provide regional insights and feedback to inform global learning initiatives and priorities.
Coordinate with the Leadership Development team (Leadership Academy) to ensure a cohesive response to business needs, particularly where leadership capability development is required alongside AU-provided learning. - Leadership and Team Management
Play an active role in developing the capability, engagement, and high performance of learning specialists across the organisation as part of the global leadership team.
Contribute to fostering a collaborative learning community globally, promoting knowledge sharing and best practice.
Provide coaching and guidance to team members and collaborators as appropriate. - Stakeholder Engagement
Partner with the AU Region Business Partner, Region Business Leaders, Portfolio Leaders, the People team, and project teams to identify critical learning needs and opportunities.
Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure learning solutions are relevant and impactful.
Represent Arup University Learning in regional forums and leadership meetings. - Programme Design and Delivery
Oversee the delivery of global learning programmes, adapting as needed for regional relevance.
Support the establishment of a learning plan that enables the adoption of best practice, global consistency and economies of scale where feasible.
Create and manage region-specific or local learning solutions where required, ensuring they complement global frameworks.
Ensure quality and consistency of learning interventions, including leadership development, technical training, and compliance programmes.
Leverage digital platforms and blended learning approaches to maximise reach, accessibility and effectiveness. - Governance and Compliance
Ensure all learning activities comply with local regulations and global policies.
Deliver learning within allocated budgets, ensuring efficient resource allocation from the global pool of specialists.
Provide regular reporting on the success of regional learning initiatives, demonstrating impact and contribution to global learning objectives through clear metrics and insights. - Continuous Improvement and Innovation
Use data-driven insights to evaluate programme effectiveness and inform improvements.
Champion innovative learning solutions, including digital tools, social learning, and emerging technologies.
Promote a culture of continuous learning and professional growth across the region. - Core Competencies:
Strategic Thinking: Ability to align learning initiatives with business priorities and regional context.
Leadership: Skilled in leading teams and influencing stakeholders in a matrix environment.
Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of budgeting, resource allocation, and ROI measurement.
Learning Expertise: Deep knowledge of adult learning principles, instructional design, and digital learning technologies.
Collaboration: Ability to build networks and foster cross-regional partnerships.
Data Literacy: Competence in using analytics to drive decisions and demonstrate impact.
Qualifications:
- Open to candidates based in Australia, Hong Kong, or Singapore
- Education: Bachelor’s or equivalent in Education, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Relevant further qualifications are desirable.
- 8+ years of relevant professional experience in L&D, 3+ years in a leadership role within a global organisation.
- Experience of working in matrix organisations, managing networks of geographically and/or sectorally distributed initiatives would be a strong advantage.
NOTE: This role requires flexibility for unsocial hours for calls due to the international nature of the position and for travel.
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 eligible members to share in the results of our collective efforts.
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/
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