Operational Excellence Consultant in Sheffield

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Operational Excellence Consultant to join our team to help solve complex operational problems for clients and bring the lessons from delivery back into the development of Arup's Operational Excellence capability. This is a delivery-led role for a naturally analytical, energetic problem-solver who enjoys client work and can build trusted relationships across teams and sectors. The role will involve applying Operational Excellence thinking to real client challenges and contributing to a repeatable, standardised service that is strengthened by each project. We place significant value on potential, capability and mindset alongside experience and qualifications. Individuals who demonstrate strong analytical ability, curiosity and drive will be supported in developing their Operational Excellence toolkit and consulting skills.

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.

You will work as part of multi-disciplinary client teams to understand operational problems, analyse performance and deliver practical, high-quality outcomes. Working alongside neighbouring disciplines, including project management, strategy and transformation, change, and logistics, to understand how Operational Excellence connects to the wider delivery picture. This role combines Operational Excellence with broader consulting, transformation and delivery disciplines. Success in the role is strongly influenced by personal attributes and behaviours, alongside experience and technical capability.

• A sense of urgency: You proactively create momentum, take ownership of progress and are motivated by delivery and outcomes.
• Enjoyment of problem-solving: You are energised by complex challenges and motivated by identifying practical solutions to difficult problems.
• Relationship-building across boundaries: You establish trusted relationships with clients and colleagues and use those relationships to enable collaboration, alignment and effective problem-solving.

This role is likely to suit individuals who are comfortable operating in ambiguous environments, working across disciplines, influencing stakeholders and facilitating discussions to achieve outcomes.

We Are Seeking The Following Skills And Attributes:

• A degree in relevant discipline with relevant work experience in Operations/business performance improvement.
• A track record that demonstrates natural analytical ability and a genuine drive to solve complex problems and be comfortable working with data to understand a problem and shape a recommendation.
• Evidence of adapting communication style to different audiences to build trust and secure buy-in with the ability to build relationships across an organisation and create structure in ambiguous, fast-moving situations.
• Confidence in facilitating workshops and operating beyond a narrow process improvement lane.
• Experience gained across different sectors, organisations or business functions. Cross-sector movement is welcomed and may demonstrate adaptability, learning agility and the ability to apply transferable operational improvement skills.

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.

Closing date: 20th of August 2026