Head of Global External Communications in Kingston upon Thames

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

The Head of Global External Communications is responsible for building, stewarding and protecting Arup's external reputation on the world stage. This pivotal role leads the development and execution of a cohesive global external communications strategy, ensuring that Arup's voice is authoritative, trusted, and aligned with the firm's business priorities. The postholder will proactively seek opportunities to raise Arup's profile, manage reputational risk, and provide strategic counsel to senior leadership. Under your leadership, we expect Arup to gain a demonstrably clearer external narrative across priority markets and to see improved consistency in how senior leaders are positioned and supported globally.

• Leadership: Develop and implement Arup's global external communications strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy, purpose and values. Steward the firm's corporate narrative and reputation, ensuring consistent, confident messaging across all external channels. Lead all PR and media activity, including global media relations, press engagement, and leadership visibility. Oversee the profiling of senior leaders across earned, owned, and social channels. Provide operational leadership and day to day management of the Global Media team and Thought Leadership Lead, supporting their activity and ultimately acting as the decision maker on proposed activity. Build a cohesive network of external communications leads worldwide, working and co-creating with them a unified team approach and systems to drive a joined-up approach.
• Reputational Risk Management: Anticipate and manage reputational risks, working with the Corporate Communications Leader to advise and help the business respond to moments of risk. Lead the development and execution of crisis communication plans, ensuring timely and effective response to issues. Develop and maintain a crisis communications toolkit and ensure readiness of teams globally.
• External Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with global media, journalists, agencies, and other partners. Advise senior leaders and board members on external engagement and media strategy. Coordinate media activity linked to board and leadership visits, and support leader participation at key events.
• Collaboration and Influence: Work closely with external communications teams across Arup's global network to ensure a unified approach. Partner with Corporate Affairs, Marketing, Brand, Internal Communications, and Business Development to amplify Arup's impact. Work closely with the Global Corporate Communications Leader to develop and drive the strategic direction of external communications for Arup, and hold responsibility for cascading this through the wider communications network across the firm. Work closely and align activity with the Global Corporate Affairs team. Commission and manage external agencies as required.
• Measurement and Reporting: Ensure robust measurement and reporting of media performance, share of voice, and impact. Provide insights and analysis to inform leadership and support continuous improvement.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

• Significant experience in a senior communications, media relations, or corporate affairs role, ideally within a complex, international organisation.
• Proven track record in communications strategy, crisis communications, leadership communications, and media relations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, and to build trusted relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of current trends in communications, digital tools, and reputation management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
• High level of creativity, initiative, and attention to detail.
• Commitment to exemplifying Arup's values, including quality of work, integrity, and a collaborative, humane approach.
• Undergraduate and/or further degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or business management or equivalent as appropriate.
• Professional qualification or accreditation from a recognised body is highly desirable.

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.

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.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact lia.wiltsher@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.

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