Senior Advisor – Government Relations

• Based in Beijing – China

About the role

China is Rio Tinto’s largest market and a growing source of procurement, while also becoming an increasingly important partner in business development, technology, and talent. A strong and forward-looking relationship with China is therefore critical to our long-term success.

At the same time, evolving dynamics in China–West relations are contributing to a more complex and fluid geopolitical, trade, and industrial environment. Heightened geopolitical tensions, shifting regulatory frameworks, and rising stakeholder expectations are creating new challenges and uncertainties for multinational companies operating in China. Against this backdrop, Rio Tinto must continue to evolve its engagement model—from a primarily transactional relationship to one of deeper strategic partnership—while strengthening its reputation and building trusted, long-term relationships with key Chinese stakeholders.

This environment requires a strengthened capability to systematically monitor and interpret policy, geopolitical, and market developments; generate actionable intelligence; and translate insights into effective Government Relations strategies that mitigate risks and support business objectives.

The Senior Adviser Government Relations China plays a critical role in building this capability and in shaping and executing Rio Tinto’s China GR strategy.

Reporting to the Head of Government Relations China, you will:

1. Monitor operating environment & create GR Insight

• Systematically and independently monitor policy, regulatory, geopolitical and industry developments relevant to business in China and globally

• Synthesize fragmented signals into clear, structured insights

• Lead and develop thematic deep-dives on critical topics

2. Translation insights into Business Strategy & Risk Advisory

• Translate policy and geopolitical developments into clear business implications

• Provide actionable recommendations to shape strategy, risk management, and engagement approach

• Advise on portfolio-level risks and opportunities

• Shape stakeholder engagement strategies

• Manage the decision-making forums with targeted advisory

3. Support China GR team’s general activities.

• Support preparation and execution of RT leadership engagements in/with China

• Contribute to planning and delivery of key GR programs/projects

• Provide policy and stakeholder inputs to ongoing business engagements and activities

• Support cross-functional coordination to ensure alignment and consistency in execution

• Assist in tracking key activities, outcomes, and follow-up actions

About you

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

• Master’s degree in Public Affairs, Economics, International Relations, or other related disciplines.

• 10+ years professional experiences in industrial analysis, government relations, regulatory affairs, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, communications for multinational company or government agency in China.

• Experience in regulatory and public affairs advocacy and deep understanding of the government/business interface.

• Expertise and knowledge of industrial policy and geopolitical risk, and competency in identification of issues, assessing impacts and prioritizing issues.

• Knowledge of the metals and mining sector.

• Excellent capability in drafting high quality policy analysis and reports in both English and Chinese within a given time, with proven track records.

• Communication and expert diplomacy skills are needed to manage complex internal and external stakeholder groups.

• Knowledge of stakeholder management processes and the use of relevant tools (research design, mapping, tracking, databases etc.) would be a must.

• Ability to demonstrate business savvy to link function priorities to overall company objectives.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, positive outgoing attitude, ability to work in a multicultural and multilingual environment with great team spirit.

• High level of discretion and integrity to handle confidential material sensitively.

• Strong project management and multitasking skills with proven track records. Attention to details.

• Strong analytical, presentation and interpretation skills.

Where you will be working

You will be based in our office in Beijing. 

Since Rio Tinto established its first office in Beijing almost 40 years ago with just three people, the Group has built partnerships with China that span supply, innovation, knowledge transfer, culture and procurement. It's a relationship that has been transformative for Rio Tinto and which continues to make a significant contribution to China’s growth story.

China is Rio Tinto’s largest market, and home to our biggest shareholder, customers and important strategic partners. Rio Tinto shares a long, fruitful history of partnership with China. Our collaboration today ranges from trade, exploration, project development, and digital innovation to R&D and talent development. We are also working together to address significant challenges such as climate change and sustainable development to shape a collective future.

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 Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ 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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