Principal Adviser Improvement & Learning

• Influence how Rio Projects captures, shares and embeds Lessons Learned across major capital projects globally 

• Lead improvement initiatives, organisational learning and problem-solving capability in a high-profile role with exposure to senior leaders across Rio Projects 

• Perth or Brisbane based permanent opportunity with global collaboration, including occasional domestic and international travel

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 Adviser Improvement & Learning to help Rio Projects deliver consistent, scalable improvement and organisational learning outcomes across our global project portfolio. In this role, you will support the Project Services Improvement Lifecycle and coordinate the end-to-end Lessons Learned program, ensuring knowledge is captured, shared and embedded to improve project delivery. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex business challenges, influencing senior stakeholders and creating practical systems that drive lasting change.

Reporting to the Manager of Improvement, you will work as part of a highly capable global improvement team known for collaboration, high standards and a shared focus on finding better ways to deliver major capital projects.

What you'll be doing

• Play a major role in the Project Services Improvement Lifecycle, maintaining improvement pipelines, governance processes, reporting and value tracking across the portfolio

• Own and continuously improve the global Lessons Learned process, system, tools and knowledge library used across Rio Projects

• Coordinate and support complex Lessons Learned reviews and Root Cause Analyses, ensuring evidence-based recommendations are implemented

• Identify recurring themes and improvement opportunities, sharing insights with project leaders and stakeholders across the organisation

• Support Safe Production System (SPS) improvement activities, health checks, practical problem solving and capability-building initiatives

• Develop guidance materials, templates and training resources that enable teams to run improvement and learning activities independently

• Coach and influence project teams, senior leaders and functional stakeholders to embed consistent ways of working

• Partner with PM+, Assurance, Quality, HSE, Controls and Capability teams to integrate lessons and improvement actions into project delivery.

About you

We're looking for someone whose experience aligns with the key requirements below. You do not need to meet every helpful-for-success item to apply; if you bring relevant experience and are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to submit an application.

Required for Success

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team

• Demonstrated experience leading business improvement, organisational learning, continuous improvement or project governance initiatives within major projects, mining, construction, oil and gas or other global and complex industrial industries and environments

• Strong knowledge of Lessons Learned, root cause analysis, structured problem solving, systems thinking and improvement methodologies

• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and working across global, cross-functional teams to deliver change and improvement outcomes

• Strong facilitation, coaching, stakeholder engagement and executive-level written communication skills

• Experience developing processes, governance frameworks, reporting and improvement systems; qualifications are valued but equivalent practical experience is equally welcome

Helpful for Success

• Experience with Safe Production System (SPS), Lean, Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement frameworks

• Exposure to major capital project delivery, project services or project development environments

• Experience managing consultants, coordinating portfolios of work or supporting global improvement programs

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 & cultural leave)

• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)

Where you'll be working

Brisbane Office 

Located on Charlotte Street in the heart of Brisbane’s city, our modern, multi-floor office is thoughtfully designed for connection and collaboration, no matter where our people are located around the world. The space includes technology-enabled work and meeting areas, shared social lounges, and The Pit, our auditorium and central place for events and gatherings. On-site amenities include a wellness room, parents’ suite, and multi-faith room. Downstairs, just inside the building’s heritage façade, are end-of-journey facilities and an urban laneway with coffee shops and pastry kitchen. Our teams enjoy views of Moreton Bay, Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River as they work across a range of technical and functional disciplines, supporting operations globally.  

Perth Office – Central Park     
Our modern office located in Central Park tower in Perth provide an inspiring environment for collaboration and professional growth. You'll be able to enjoy a range of benefits, including access to a modern gym, wellness programs, and convenient amenities that support a healthy work-life balance. Situated in the heart of Perth, we are close to public transport and several parking options.

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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