- Shape and protect Rio Tinto’s reputation on the complex issues that matter most to our business and stakeholders
- Influence enterprise decisions, lead global communications workstreams and strengthen reputation capability across the function
- Perth or Brisbane based opportunity, partnering with senior leaders and communications teams across Rio Tinto
We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide 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 Principal Advisor – Strategic Communications & Issues Management to help shape and protect Rio Tinto’s global reputation.
This is a great opportunity for an experienced communications professional who can provide trusted counsel on complex and high-profile matters, identify emerging reputation risks and opportunities, and translate complex information into clear recommendations, narratives and communications strategies. You will work across a global, matrixed organisation, influencing stakeholders and supporting senior leaders to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing external environment.
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Strategic Communications, you will:
- Lead proactive reputation strategies and communications programs aligned with business and enterprise priorities
- Lead cross-functional communications workstreams for complex reputation issues, providing strategic counsel and coordinating responses
- Monitor societal, geopolitical, regulatory, industry and stakeholder developments to identify emerging reputation risks and opportunities
- Use horizon scanning, media and social intelligence, reputation research and AI-enabled tools to understand changes in stakeholder perceptions
- Provide reputation intelligence during emerging issues and incidents, supporting crisis communications, preparedness and scenario planning
- Develop reputation opportunities through corporate storytelling, executive positioning and thought leadership
- Shape enterprise narratives and positions to support consistent, credible and evidence-based communications
- Evaluate communications outcomes and use insights and analytics to improve performance and build issues and reputation capability across the function
About you
- A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
- Significant experience across corporate communications, corporate affairs, media relations, reputation or issues management, including complex or sensitive matters
- Strong strategic judgement, with the ability to advise senior leaders and influence stakeholders across a complex, global organisation
- Excellent writing and synthesis skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear narratives, executive briefs, recommendations and communications strategies
- Strong capability in horizon scanning, media and social intelligence, reputation research and measurement, including emerging digital and AI-enabled tools
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional communications workstreams and delivering high-quality outcomes in fast-moving environments
What we offer
- Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress
- A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
- A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
- A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
- Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
- Attractive share ownership plan
- Company provided insurance cover
- Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
- Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
- Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
- Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
- Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
- Possible domestic relocation assistance
Where you’ll be working
You will be part of Rio Tinto’s Strategic Communications team, working across a globally connected communications function to identify and respond to emerging reputation issues and opportunities. Based in Perth or Brisbane, you will partner with senior leaders, communications teams and stakeholders across the business to strengthen Rio Tinto’s reputation and support informed enterprise decision-making.
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
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 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 to be 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 different.
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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
- 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.
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.