Finance Business Partner

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

The UKIMEA Finance Team is looking for an enthusiastic candidate to bring their experience, talent and passion to this varied and exciting business partnering role, support our operations and leadership teams across the Middle East.

The role will be responsible for providing professional financial and commercial support to the Middle East Group, partnering with the Group, Commercial and Project leadership teams and wider business support teams to deliver robust financial performance and drive areas of targeted improvement. You will support the Group and Project leadership teams across all aspects of financial performance, acting as a trusted advisor to provide high quality and timely financial advice, actionable trend and insight and you will lead on the business planning, budgeting, and forecasting cycles. There is a requirement for occasional travel to other office locations on an as needed basis. This role is key in supporting Arup’s strategic ambition in the Middle East, ensuring that commercial and financial targets are understood and monitored against, and that appropriate strategies are in place to meet these.

The Opportunity

• Partnering with the Group leadership in developing, delivering, evaluating and operationalising the overall Group strategy and in the delivery of robust, ongoing financial performance
• Analyse and review the financial results and performance, looking back and forward to produce and present executive reports and insightful commentary to be used to support decision making and a thorough understanding of business performance and trends.
• Develop action plans with the Group leadership team on monthly and quarterly results where the results are not in line with expectation, presenting clear and concise options including risks and opportunity reporting.
• Lead the financial business planning cycle and forecasting processes for the Group, developing business plans that reflect challenging but realistic forecasts, aligning to the strategic aims and ambitions of the Group.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with a diverse range of key stakeholders across the Group and across other Groups in the geography and portfolios.
• Provide support to bid teams across all financial aspects.
• Provide support on project financial audits and global finance with annual statutory audits
• Coach, motivate and inspire your team, setting SMART objectives, holding 1-2-1’s, identifying development opportunities and encouraging career growth where applicable, instilling within the team the behaviours and values of Arup.
• Promote financial awareness across the Group, fostering and promoting a culture of continuous improvement, standardisation, and simplification.
• Work in partnership and collaborate with FP&A, Finance Business Partners, Finance Operations, Shared Services Centre (SSC) and Global Finance teams to deliver a professional finance offering to stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance and robust controls environment is in place and that approval processes are adhered to, and forecasts align with accounting principles.
• Facilitate and deliver finance terminology, process and systems training to finance and non-finance staff.
  
  

Is this role right for me?

• Professional accounting qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent) or are studying towards qualification.
• Have core knowledge, understanding and significant experience of operational delivery across finance business partnering practices, budget and forecasting processes, management accounts information and data.
• Strong business and commercial acumen, demonstratable project and budgetary management and an understanding of external factors and market.
• An ability to build, maintain and manage strong, long-term relationships with key clients and stakeholders, understanding internal and external challenges.
• Ability to listen, demonstrate empathy and remain calm when under pressure.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with great attention to detail
• Confident, capable and credible with effective communication, influencing and persuasiveness skills when dealing with both peers and senior colleagues.
• An emotionally intelligent team player and flexible thinker with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Agile, adaptable and comfortable with change.
• Encourage and support innovative thinking and collaboration.
• IT literate – MS office, finance and management accounting systems, ERP systems.
• Experience in an equivalent finance business partnering role
• Experience of working in the UAE and other GCC countries
• Experience and impact awareness of specialist areas including financial accounting, controls and governance, audit, ethics and risk management.
• Proven ability to produce insightful and accurate information in a timely and responsive manner.
• Proven experience of leading and inspiring teams in a people and service focused organisation, driving a performance culture and high performing team ethos, with experience in setting short/medium and long-term plans.
• Experience working with multiple complex finance systems and data flows.
• Experience in facilitating business change, ensuring changes are successfully embedded in daily operations.
• Proven experience in managing and influencing a diverse range of stakeholders at leadership level.
• Demonstrable experienced in identification and management of risks and issues.
  
  

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

We offer a competitive salary at all levels, and one of the best benefits packages in our sector.

Benefits include cover under the UAE Healthcare Plan (private medical insurance), Life Assurance and Personal Accident Insurance cover. These are funded by us and made available to all permanent staff in order to support and safeguard your financial, physical and mental wellbeing.

In addition, all permanent employees are eligible for the Global Profit Share scheme. Subject to scheme rules employees can receive two Profit Share payments per year, which are dependent on the firm’s financial performance.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. 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. 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 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

Please apply directly through our applicant tracking system. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Talent Acquisition to discuss next steps. Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Arup does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies.

Please apply online as we do not accept direct applications via email due to UAE's federal data privacy law.

Closing date: Friday 31 July 2026

We may close the role earlier than the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications, so please ensure you apply early.

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