Superintendent, Operational Risk & Assurance

• Lead operational risk and assurance programs that strengthen business resilience
• Provide visible leadership to the External Services team and strengthen service-provider governance and performance
• Partner across operations and corporate functions to improve critical control effectiveness and continuous improvement
• Full-time role in Salt Lake City, Utah

We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide the materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values, care, courage and curiosity, guide how we work and how we treat each other.

About the role

We are looking for a Superintendent, Operational Risk & Assurance to lead the development, governance, implementation and continuous improvement of enterprise and operational risk assurance programs and risk management processes. You will help ensure sites have effective frameworks, tools, data and governance to identify, assess, control and monitor operational risks while supporting compliance with regulatory requirements, company standards and relevant industry practices.

A key part of this role is providing direct leadership to the External Services team, formerly Contractor Management. You will set direction, build team capability and accountability, and strengthen the governance and performance of external service-provider relationships within the role’s scope.

You will also provide strategic guidance to leaders, connect assurance activity, critical controls and performance insights, and support a culture of risk-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Manager HSE Risk & Governance and working within the HSE team, you will be:

What you’ll be doing

• Lead the governance and continuous improvement of enterprise and operational health, safety, environment and communities risk frameworks within the role’s scope.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and direction to the External Services team, establishing clear priorities, accountabilities and performance expectations.
• Oversee governance and working relationships with external service providers, partnering with internal stakeholders to monitor performance, address risks and support reliable service delivery.
• Plan and lead audits, self-assessments and management reviews, and monitor the completion of resulting corrective actions.
• Monitor critical control effectiveness, risk exposure and emerging trends, escalating significant risks and recommending strategic improvements where appropriate.
• Maintain relevant metrics, dashboards and reporting, translating data into clear insights for leaders and decision-makers.
• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives, including implementation planning, stakeholder alignment and change management.
• Coach leaders on management systems and risk practices, and partner with operational, corporate and regulatory stakeholders on compliance reviews, remediation and continuous improvement.

About you

To be successfully considered for this role, you will bring:

• A visible and consistent commitment to safety and responsible risk management.
• Demonstrated experience leading operational risk, assurance, management systems or related governance programs in a complex operating environment.
• People leadership experience, with the ability to set direction, coach team members, build capability and create accountability for results.
• Experience overseeing external services, contractor or service-provider governance, including performance, risk and stakeholder relationships.
• Experience planning or leading audits, self-assessments, management reviews and corrective action programs, with the ability to convert data into practical recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the confidence to collaborate across operational, corporate and external partner groups.

Even if your profile does not fully meet all qualifications, we encourage you to apply; transferable skills and the right attitude are highly valued. 

This role is open to candidates who are legally authorized to work in the United States. We are not able to offer visa sponsorship and international relocation for this position.

What we offer

Be recognized for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you have helped the world progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus
• Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage and various voluntary benefits
• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution and a generous 401(k) matching program
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Comprehensive leave policies covering paid time off, paid holidays and paid bereavement leave
• A generous parental leave policy
• Discount programs and access to Personify Health with incentives supporting your wellbeing
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program for confidential counseling or expert guidance

Where you’ll be working

Our Kennecott mine is a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation, including a concentrator, smelter, and refinery, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, and sulfuric acid. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and is one of the top producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production.

Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to the posting end date.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, 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 situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and Inclusion

Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.

Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.

R65129