Vendor Project Manager 2022

A career at Arup offers you the chance to make a positive difference in the world. Independently owned and independently minded, we attract a diverse mix of people to work on ground-breaking global projects. We have an ambitious commitment to be the digital leader in the built environment and have digital teams and experts all over the world, who collaborate on world-leading software, data and technology projects and products. Being a global team means we value people with diverse experiences, backgrounds, specialisms, and skills.

Our Digital Technology team are proud winners of the IT Team of the Year for 2021 at the Chartered Institute of IT’s UK IT Industry Awards. In January 2022 Arup was awarded ‘Britain’s Most Admired Company’ by the publication, Management Today.

The role

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join the Strategic Partnerships function within our corporate Digital Technology Group (DTG) as vendor interface manager. This is a unique role offering variety and opportunities for personal development, bridging between our technical teams and leading industry experts. Responsible for managing day-to-day interfaces with our user communities, internal business stakeholders, contract and technical representatives from our major AEC software providers such as Autodesk, Bentley, ESRI and Trimble.

The objective of the role is to ensure our global project delivery teams have access to the most appropriate technical software, to enable them to sustainably deliver excellent outcomes for our clients both now and in the future.

Reporting to the strategic partnerships manager, you will bring technical experience of project delivery and the use of technical software applications to better support our business, communicating our requirements and priorities to the technical software vendors. You will be involved in all aspects of managing stakeholder communications both internal and external.

You’ll join a global team with a range of skills and experiences and will work closely with many other functions across Digital Technology, as well as the wider company.

"Arup is a firm built on delivering amazing projects and I really enjoy working closely with colleagues in the business to help them get them most out of technical software. It is always a great feeling to know we have supported engineers to resolve any technical issues and ultimately help them meet their deliverables and deadlines. Getting things done is always a team effort, so I’m constantly learning and developing from others.”
Bilaal, UK

You should apply if:

• You have a strong desire to help our project delivery teams get the most out of technical software and shaping future usage across the firm
• You have sound working knowledge of AEC technical software and its application on projects
• You have an aptitude for technology and data management and would enjoy working as part of a diverse and global team

Responsibilities of the role include:

• Managing stakeholders both internally and with our vendors
• Representing the interests of Arup’s technical software user community at weekly vendor meetings
• Managing vendor related communications to the global Arup technical software user community
• Monitoring and reporting on our usage of technical software
• Managing everyday interfaces with the Arup purchasing team and our software user community in relation to technical software licensing
• Supporting the negotiation and management of our technical software vendor commercial agreements
• Testing of technical software applications

Please don’t be discouraged if you don’t meet every point below – if you meet most, and are strongly motivated by the role, and willing to learn, we are still interested in hearing from you.

Requirements and skills

Essential skills and knowledge

• Self-motivated, with the ability to manage your own time and workload in line with business priorities
• Working in a collaborative and cooperative manner, across the global Arup organization and with our technical software vendors
• Good communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication style depending on the audience
• Ability to process, analyze and report on licensing data
• Commitment to personal development within the role

Desirable

• Working knowledge of some technical software applications from our key vendors Autodesk, Bentley, Tekla and ESRI
• Working knowledge of the AEC sector and a technical engineering background would be beneficial
• Working knowledge of how technical software is used to support delivery of engineering projects
• Microsoft Excel/Power Bi skills would be advantageous but can be taught on the job

Required behaviours

• Passionate for diversity, recognizing the innovation and competitive edge that comes from a diverse highly skilled team where equal opportunities are truly valued
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain relationships, both internally and externally
• Enthusiastic approach - willing to take on new challenges and learn new systems
• Proactive mentality, identifying and sharing ideas for improvement

Rewards and benefits

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

Core benefits include cover under the UK Healthcare Plan (private medical insurance), Life Assurance, Accident Insurance, and Income Protection (long term disability) cover. Core benefits are funded by us and made available to all permanent staff in order to support and safeguard your financial, physical, and mental wellbeing. You will also have access to Choice Benefits to help with your work/life balance and financial security.

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.