An inclusive environment for all
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable being themselves. We also want everyone to feel that their voices matter, that all cultures are respected, and that perspectives, as diverse as they are, are not only welcome, but essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other distinguishing aspect.
At Rio Tinto, we welcome and encourage applications from women, older workers, persons with disabilities and representatives from diverse backgrounds.
Everyone is different, and we believe that these differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences, and perspectives within our team enhances the way we work and our ability to succeed together.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Corporate Counsel to lead in-country legal support for the Simandou Project in Guinea, one of the world's largest integrated mining and infrastructure developments.
Reporting to the Chief Counsel Simandou (who is based in London), you will provide in-country legal leadership and strategic advice across all the aspects of the project, from construction through to operations. As the lead lawyer on the ground, you will be a key adviser to the Managing Director and senior leadership team in Guinea, providing strategic, commercially pragmatic guidance to support complex decision making in a dynamic operating environment.
This role requires a commercially minded lawyer with strong judgment, a practical and “solutions focussed” approach to problem solving, and exceptional stakeholder management skills.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership
- Leading the legal team in Guinea, providing direction, coaching, and development to build a high-performing and collaborative function.
- Working closely with the Chief Counsel Simandou, to act as principal legal adviser to the in-country Managing Director and senior leadership team.
- Overseeing the engagement and performance of external counsel, ensuring high-quality, responsive and cost-effective legal support and appropriate management of legal spend.
- Partnering with Legal, Governance, Corporate Affairs, Compliance, Commercial, Procurement, and Operations teams across the wider business to achieve positive outcomes.
Legal Support
- Providing strategic and pragmatic legal advice on a wide range of matters including health and safety, compliance, land access, community, procurement and infrastructure in collaboration with specialist functions.
- Advising on key project agreements and strategic commercial contracts.
- Supporting the ongoing implementation and management of complex joint venture, governance and commercial arrangements and working closely with the Chief Counsel Simandou to ensure aligned legal strategy across jurisdictions.
- Leading legal support for in-country engagements and negotiations with government ministries, regulatory authorities, and other public stakeholders.
- Monitoring changes in applicable laws and regulations and assessing potential impacts on business activities.
- Leading the management of disputes and investigations, including negotiation and resolution of complex commercial disputes.
Ethics, Compliance and Corporate Responsibility
- Promoting the highest standards of ethics, compliance, and integrity.
- Supporting the business in maintaining strong relationships with government and external stakeholders.
- Protecting and enhancing the organisation's reputation and social licence to operate.
- Advising on anti-bribery, anti-corruption, sanctions, competition law, and other compliance matters.
- Supporting investigations and compliance reviews as required.
Requirements:
- Qualified lawyer admitted to practice in at least one jurisdiction.
- Minimum 10 years' post-qualification experience gained within a leading law firm, multinational organisation, or a combination of both.
- Experience working in Africa or other emerging market conditions.
- Strong corporate and commercial legal background with experience supporting major projects including complex commercial contracts, infrastructure, joint ventures and associated regulatory frameworks.
- French language skills, particularly for engagement with government authorities and local stakeholders.
- Experience working in large-scale, multi-stakeholder environments including engagement and negotiations with strategic counterparties, government and regulators.
- Excellent judgment and the proven ability to anticipate issues and develop pragmatic solutions to complex commercial challenges in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong relationship building and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across cultures and organisational boundaries.
- A passion for leadership and experience managing and developing legal professionals.
- A commitment to safety and Rio Tinto’s values of Care, Courage and Curiosity
What we offer
Get recognition for your contributions, your ability to think, your hard work, and the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped the world move forward.
- Work environment where safety is always the top priority
- Competitive base salary based on your skills and experience
- Annual cash incentives for eligible employees
- Career development opportunities and training assistance to achieve your aspirations • Access to family-friendly health programs, top-notch retirement and savings plans
- Wellness benefits
- Rio Tinto's generous employee stock ownership plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- One-on-one wellness support (personal and professional matters) for you and your family
- Comprehensive leave policy covering all important life moments (vacation/annual, paid parental leave, etc.)
About the Simandou Project
The Simandou Iron Ore Project is located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. It is Africa’s largest infrastructure and mining project and represents one of the largest known reserves of high-grade iron ore in the world.
Rio Tinto holds rights to Simandou Blocks 3 and 4 through SimFer, a joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH). Construction of the mine, together with the associated rail and port infrastructure, is well underway with first production from the SimFer mine expected in 2025.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a global leader in the mining and materials companies. We are established in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and the prosperity of people, communities, and nations. We have been in business for 150 years, drawing on knowledge accumulated over generations and on different continents. Our mission – to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs – guides us in our quest for innovation and continuous improvement, with the goal of making products that are low in emissions and meet the right environmental, social and governance standards. But because we can't do it alone, we focus on creating partnerships that allow us to solve problems, create mutually beneficial situations and seize opportunities.
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Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs—striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQ+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes us who we are.
Start your application
Take your leadership career to the next level.
Where can Rio Tinto take you?
You’re passionate and ambitious with tremendous career aspirations. The breadth and growth of our organisation empowers you to define your ideal career path.
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
- 2022 - PresentManager Projects - Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler - 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2022 – PresentManager Projects – Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler – 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
Working at Rio Tinto
Help us deliver the materials that make human progress possible.
The plane you’re flying in just landed. You fire up your phone and get your laptop out of the overhead bin. Immediately, you’re in work mode – thousands of miles from your office. Do you ever stop to think about all the materials that make life in the 21st century possible? At Rio Tinto, we discover, develop and deliver the materials that drive human progress. When you work with us, you’ll experience advantages you won’t find anywhere else.
Working in one of our function’s teams
We supply the materials that drive human progress. You make it all possible.
With business operations that stretch from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Perth, Western Australia, we have exciting opportunities in virtually every discipline imaginable. From HR to marketing, finance to technology, infrastructure to supply chain, and much more, the opportunities are endless. Join us and enjoy:
Our application process
01
Apply
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.
02
Undergo assessments
Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.
03
Interview(s)
Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.
04
Offers and checks
At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment depending on the role you have applied for.
05
Join the Rio Tinto team
Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.