Manager – State and Federal Partnerships and Engagement

Manager – State and Federal Partnerships and Engagement

• Join a leading global company with a well-established operational presence in the United States
• Be part of a group that is safety-driven and values inclusion
• Based in Phoenix and Superior, AZ

About the role

We are looking for a Manager – State and Federal Partnerships and Engagement that will develop and implement partnerships with state, and federal government stakeholders, non-government stakeholders, and civil society organizations that focus on sustainability, conservation, cultural heritage preservation and the environment.

This is also a great opportunity to be part of advancing critical path work for Resolution. Reporting to the President Resolution Copper and working closely with the General Manager Community Social Performance (CSP), Cultural Heritage and Permitting, as well as Rio Tinto External Affairs, your responsibilities will be to:

• Closely monitor federal and state policy changes and advocate, when necessary, for positions that protect the company.
• Liaise with consultants and lobbyists to educate state and federal policymakers on critical issues related to the project.
• Work closely with leadership to shape public policy development.
• Collaborate closely with the permitting team and provide consultation on outreach to and relationships with state and federal agencies/officials.
• Work closely with Native Affairs and Cultural Heritage teams to understand and implement strategies associated with Tribal Governments.
• Contribute to the development of communications, including message development, executive communications, media relations, and internal communications.
• Develop and implement a proactive engagement approach with state, and national civil society organizations focused on quality of life, sustainability, cultural heritage and environmental issues.
• Where appropriate, co-design partnership programs and governance structures with key stakeholders.
• Lead engagements with state and national-level business organizations including chambers of commerce and industry organizations
• Support the work of CSP and HR in partnerships with K-12 Schools, Universities, and Technical Colleges to partner with and/or create programs that support STEM, workforce development and cultural heritage.
• Monitor and advise the broader Rio Tinto business on state and national political contexts and emerging issues.
• Review and when necessary, amend legislation and policies, in partnership with government relations, legal and external affairs.

What you’ll do and bring

• Political astuteness across state and national-level issues important to manufacturing, mining and natural resources to advance project development in parallel with sustainable development in the region, building reputational credibility related to Resolution’s development and environmental footprint with state and national level stakeholders.
• A proven track record in successfully developing external affairs plans and approaches to provide key support enabling development of projects in the mining, infrastructure, and/or utility supply industries.
• Help facilitate coordination of a diverse team of professionals with complementary skills to a common purpose with an aligned strategy of communication, engagement and partnership.
• A superior and decisive problem-solving mentality, with project management skills honed to real-world solutions to the table. The candidate will possess a consistent, can-do attitude and will never lose sight of the mission to successfully manage a large and highly critical project.
• Experience in managing relationships with state, and federal agencies and representatives.
• Experience and relationships with trade, issue advocacy, and other non-governmental organizations.
• Great ability to influence and manage change – able to convert and enable external teams to work to deliver a on the well communicated and defined vision.

What we offer

We are committed to providing our employees with a generous benefits package. Be recognized for your contribution, your thinking, your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress, we provide:

• A safety-focused and inclusive working environment
• Advantageous salary package with annual cash incentive awards (STIP) for eligible employees
• 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; Generous 401k matching program
• Generous Rio Tinto employee share program, which allows you to purchase Rio Tinto Company shares.
• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
• A favorable child-caregiver leave program (Up to 100% salary top-up)
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing
• Ongoing Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family; to help in addressing educational opportunities, addiction treatment, depression, stress, domestic issues, financial management, and legal concerns.
• Our team and industry experts are here to support and work with you to explore your learning potential and career goals 

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 and meet opportunities.

Where you will be working

Once in operation, Resolution Copper has the potential to supply nearly 25% of US copper demand and create several thousand direct and indirect jobs in the Pioneer Mining District of Arizona, with an economic value estimated at several billion dollars over the mine life.

The project will rely on a block caving technique to extract the deposit that lies more than 2,000 metres below the surface. This method uses gravity to remove the ore and is the most viable way to recover the resource.

In 2019, the project achieved a significant milestone – issuance of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) by the US Forest Service (USFS). In anticipation of the Final EIS in 2020, Resolution Copper continues permitting and community engagement activities, reclamation of the historic Magma Mine site, shaft and underground development studies, and advancing data collection to further orebody knowledge.

Every Voice Matter

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.

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQ+ community, mature workers, Veterans and active-duty armed forces, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

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