The International Mobility Consultant is responsible for managing and coordinating all aspects of international assignments, cross-border relocations, and global mobility programs. This role supports members, managers, HR teams, and external partners to ensure seamless international moves that align with organizational policy, compliance requirements, and business objectives.
The Opportunity This position requires strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, an understanding of global tax and immigration principles, and the ability to navigate complex, fast-moving situations with professionalism.
The role reports to the regional mobility leader. Collaboration with colleagues across the International Mobility team and other subject matter experts and vendors will feature prominently as we drive operational excellence. Broader opportunities to engage and partner with a diverse range of stakeholders arise in conjunction with specific strategic and operational mobility project work.
The role is a key component of a global team of trusted and respected mobility specialists that provides consultancy, direction and leadership for Global Mobility at Arup.
Responsibilities Assignment and Relocation Management - Guide employees, managers and business through mobility policies, ensuring clear communication and consistent application.
- Liaise with immigration law firms, employees and business on related matters.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for employees relocating internationally (short-term, long-term, permanent transfers and commuters).
- Coordinate end-to-end relocation services, including temporary accommodation, travel arrangements, and destination services.
- Carry out the pre/post assignment briefings and orientation of the assignee on Arup's policy, including compensation details where applicable
- Manage assignment initiations, prepare cost estimates, compensation calculations, assignment packages and letters
- Provide continuing advice and support to both Arup managers and assignees, maintaining regular contact throughout the assignment
Cross Border Compliance - Liaise with immigration providers to secure visas, work permits, and residency documents.
- Coordinate with tax providers to facilitate tax briefings, tax return preparation, and ongoing tax compliance in host and home countries.
- Monitor and mitigate risks related to short term mobility (e.g., A1 certificates, posted-worker filings, short-term immigration rules).
- Facilitate payroll instructions, including assignment allowances, COLA, per diems, and shadow payroll requirements.
- Initiate international healthcare plan membership where necessary.
- Review compensation reports for accuracy and alignment with assignment terms.
Stakeholder and Vendor Management - Provide expert advice to business leaders to help inform mobility decisions (e.g., type of move, mobility package, likely costs and deployment timelines).
- Analyze mobility data and support the region mobility lead in reporting insights and trends to inform mobility strategy.
- Build strong relationships with HR partners, talent acquisition, managers, finance, and external relocation vendors.
- Collaborate with the Mobility Operations Lead to manage vendor performance (e.g., relocation companies, tax advisors, immigration partners) to ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Support escalations and resolve employee issues promptly.
Policy, Process and Program Support - Provide guidance on global mobility policies and suggest updates based on current global practices.
- Maintain assignment documentation, international mobility systems, and data accuracy.
- Support audits, reporting, and analysis of mobility trends.
- Support the delivery of planned cyclical mobility events (for example, assignee survey, salary review, fx reviews).
- Proactively identify and act upon opportunities to improve standardization, simplification, the quality of services delivered and the broader mobility experience.
- Support the region mobility lead to prepare and deliver training and awareness sessions to various stakeholder groups to help embed best practice mobility management in the business and all supporting services.
Skills and Attributes - Strong understanding and experience of the fundamentals of Global Mobility - policy and processes, immigration, tax and relocation.
- Working knowledge of US and Canada immigration requirements and processes.
- Passion for excellence, high attention to detail and ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously
- Ability to work independently and collaborate as part of a team.
- Excellent organization skills, with the agility to adjust plans and re-prioritize at short notice.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Applies a problem-solving mindset - seeks creative, innovative solutions.
- Communicates confidently to varied audiences in flexible styles.
- Ability to build a rapport and nurture relationships at all levels.
- Ability to work across cultures and time zones.
- Experience working with global mobility technology platforms
- Exposure to global tax principles (e.g., shadow payroll, tax equalization).
- Knowledge of employment law and compliance issues across regions.
- Previous experience in a multinational company or professional services firm
