Principal Advisor – Market Development

  • Be part of one of the world’s largest Metals and Minerals Groups
  • Participate in the energy transition, de-carbonization, ESG evolution and digital transformation
  • Create strategic downstream partnerships
  • Permanent role based in Chicago, USA – Commercial hub for North America business

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

As the world aims to decarbonize, demand for responsible materials will escalate. The materials produced by Rio Tinto are all around us, in the products we use every day to enable our modern lives.  Low carbon aluminium will be needed to support increasing demand in the auto industry; copper will play an essential role enabling renewable electrification of energy; and lithium-ion batteries will be the preferred storage technology for EVs.  By working with some of our most strategic downstream partners we’re helping turn the vision of a lower-carbon modern world into reality.

Creating and facilitating some of our most strategic downstream partnerships, the Principal Advisor, Market Development is a fast paced, highly strategic, key commercial role in Rio Tinto’s Metals & Minerals Marketing team. This role is responsible for establishing relationships and managing workstreams  in execution of our commercial strategy with the goal of maximizing value for Rio Tinto across our different product groups.  This role will cover the following areas of responsibility:

Strategic Relationships

  • Qualify and create partnerships with Rio Tinto’s largest, most strategic end-use customers in various end use verticals / markets.
  • Support the securitization of long-term, multi-commodity partnership agreements with large, global, matrixed corporate partners.

Strategic Market Research

  • Provide actionable, well-articulated value insights to Metals & Minerals Marketing team based on partners’ feedback and priorities.
  • Transform insights into partner centric scalable products / solutions to be replicated across various verticals and commodities.

Multi-Commodity Ambassadorship

  • Influence internal stakeholders by contributing to development and execution of long-term strategic plans across commodities.  Engage with internal stakeholders at senior levels across multiple business functions (Procurement, Strategy, Sustainability, Technical, etc.).
  • Provide support to the formulation of the Metals & Minerals growth strategy and customer base expansion, including definition of product and service portfolios, distribution methods, attractiveness of markets and customer segments, customer value propositions.

Customer engagement

  • Support the creation and development of advanced commercial business model structures, across multiple products, to create compelling value propositions for Rio Tinto and partners. 
  • Lead customer strategy forums to ensure the commercial and Metals and Minerals go-to-market strategies are executed for optimal generation of near- and long-term value across multiple commodities.

Identify growth opportunities

  • Support the Metals & Minerals Marketing team with development of scalable strategies for growth by defining strategic customer engagement plans.
  • Support ESG team with development of value-driven opportunities, across products, and understand how to articulate complex, data-driven sustainability agendas to action for Rio Tinto and customers’ benefits.

What you’ll bring

  • College/University Education – Qualifications in business, marketing, commerce, finance, or related discipline; MBA preferred.
  • Minimum 5 years commercial experience, preferably in marketing, sales, strategy or business development.
  • Strong leadership capability with focus on influencing multiple stakeholders for internal / external large-scale matrixed organizations.
  • An entrepreneurial drive, with ability to deconstruct and solve complex problems; translate complex commercial challenges to actionable solutions.
  • Previous successful experience leading commercial discussions with external stakeholders, preferably at C-suite level.
  • Strong proficiency in data analysis and actionable insight generation.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, start-up experience a plus.
  • Ability to travel at least 30%.

What we offer

  • We are committed to providing our employees with a generous benefits package. Be recognized for your contribution, you’re 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

Where you’ll be working

Built around a dedicated hub in Singapore and regional offices in Chicago and Frankfurt, our commercial teams are entrepreneurial, fast-paced and highly specialised part of our business.  
 
Our team has a deliberately open and entrepreneurial culture where we reward the creation of value through innovation and risk taking. You get to work alongside inspiring and creative colleagues and learn and grow every single day.

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.

Every Voice Matters

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, 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.

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Take your leadership career to the next level.

You’ve got the abilities, passion, and drive to lead. We’ll provide you with the resources, support, and opportunities you need to grow and advance in your leadership career with us. Our signature leadership training programs empower your natural leadership skills and experience.

As you grow in your leadership role, you’ll enjoy competitive pay, great benefits, and the flexibility to balance work with your outside interests and commitments. Above all, you’ll work with people who inspire and motivate you in an organisation that values curiosity and creativity. Working with us means touching people’s lives, from exploring new materials to finding ways to tackle climate change.

At Rio Tinto, you can follow a career path through varied leadership roles:

Functional leaders

You’re the expert. That makes you the perfect person to lead others. As a Functional Leader, you’ll provide direct leadership within your specialised field of expertise.

Operational leaders

Leading on the frontline is one of the most important jobs in our business. You motivate our teams so they can provide the metals and minerals that help the world progress, while ensuring they all go home safely at the end of every shift.

Senior leaders

As one of Rio Tinto’s senior leaders, you’ll help run a company that drives human progress. Modelling our values and behaviours, you’ll lead some of the industry’s best and brightest minds, working to solve global challenges.

You’ve got the abilities, passion, and drive to lead. We’ll provide you with the resources, support, and opportunities you need to grow and advance in your leadership career with us. Our signature leadership training programs empower your natural leadership skills and experience.

As you grow in your leadership role, you’ll enjoy competitive pay, great benefits, and the flexibility to balance work with your outside interests and commitments. Above all, you’ll work with people who inspire and motivate you in an organisation that values curiosity and creativity. Working with us means touching people’s lives, from exploring new materials to finding ways to tackle climate change.

At Rio Tinto, you can follow a career path through varied leadership roles:

Functional leaders

You’re the expert. That makes you the perfect person to lead others. As a Functional Leader, you’ll provide direct leadership within your specialised field of expertise.

Operational leaders

Leading on the frontline is one of the most important jobs in our business. You motivate our teams so they can provide the metals and minerals that help the world progress while ensuring they all go home safely at the end of every shift.

Senior leaders

As one of Rio Tinto’s senior leaders, you’ll help run a company that drives human progress. Modelling our values and behaviours, you’ll lead some of the industry’s best and brightest minds, working to solve global challenges.

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

Take a look at Amy’s career journey

Rio Tinto employee Shona Markham

Rio Tinto employee Amy

  • 2022 - Present
    Manager Projects - Energy Development
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • 2021
    Superintendent Operations Centre
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • 2020
    Development / Drill and Blast Superintendent
    Pilbara, Western Australia
  • 2019
    Deputy Quarry Manager
    Pilbara, Western Australia
  • 2018
    Development Supervisor
    Pilbara, Western Australia
  • 2017
    Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and Survey
    Pilbara, Western Australia
  • 2016
    Production Engineer
    Pilbara, Western Australia
  • 2015
    Mine scheduler - 2 week planner
    Pilbara, Western Australia
  • 2014
    Drill and Blast Engineer
    Pilbara, Western Australia
  • 2012
    Graduate Mining Engineer
    Pilbara, Western Australia
  • 2022 – Present
    Principal Advisor – Operations Projects
    Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada
  • 2018
    Port Operations and Maintenance
    Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada
  • 2015
    Superintendent Railway Asset Reliability and Planning
    Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada
  • 2014
    Chief Engineer Execution – Port Facilities & Rolling Stock
    Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada
  • 2007
    Project Manager – Port Facilities and Rolling Stock
    Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada
  • 2006
    Primary Ore Field Maintenance – Team Leader
    Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada
  • 2005
    Project Engineering – Project Engineer Grad Development Program
    Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada
VIEW MORE

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.

Working in a technical role at Rio Tinto

Your advanced expertise will help drive human progress.

We’ve developed technical capabilities through nearly 150 years of discovering, planning, and operating mines in every corner of the world. We’re an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most sophisticated tools and robust data on the planet. Join us and experience:

Meaningful work

We’re industry innovators – driving responsible progress and exploring the boundaries of everything we do. And we work hard to leave a lasting, positive legacy for everywhere we work. Nothing could be more rewarding.

Three female Rio Tinto employees smiling while sitting at a table under a tree

Opportunities for growth

With a business as expansive and diverse as ours, the opportunities for professional advancement are limitless. We’ll work with you to create a career plan, develop your skills, and further your education.

Female Rio Tinto worker holding hard hat and standing a railing

Excellent compensation and benefits

We offer great pay as well as a benefits package that recognises your contributions and provides you with everything you need to enjoy a truly rewarding life.

Man playing with daughter in the sand on a beach

Safety

Though we’re continually focused on discovering, developing, and delivering the materials that make human progress possible, the safety and wellbeing of our employees have been and always will be our bottom line.

Rio Tinto employee wearing jacket, hard hat and respirator

Inspiring people and an empowering culture

Whatever our individual roles, we’re each here to contribute to extremely important work. And we do it together. We inspire, encourage, empower and truly care for each other.

Two male Rio Tinto employees in jackets and hard hats in front of a processing plant - one employee is placing his hand on the other's shoulder

A commitment to inclusion and diversity

We’re 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 and value our differences for the strength and diversity they bring to our organisation.

Close-up of a line of work boots with rainbow-colored laces on clay soil

Safety

The safety and well-being of our employees have been and always will be our priority. We do the work only if it is safe, and we invest to make sure every member of our team has the quality tools they need to do their job.

Rio Tinto employee wearing jacket, hard hat and respirator

Quality of life

Our rosters are designed to provide you with the flexibility you need to balance your work life with your home life, your family, and your other outside interests and commitments.

Male Rio Tinto employee with his smiling family, holding his son

Opportunities for growth

With a business as expansive and diverse as ours, the opportunities for professional advancement are limitless. We’ll work with you to create a career plan, develop your skills, and further your education.

Three smiling Rio Tinto employees wearing hard hats and protective eye wear enjoying a conversation

Meaningful work

We’re industry innovators – driving responsible progress and exploring the boundaries of everything we do. And we work hard to leave a lasting, positive legacy for everywhere we work. Nothing could be more rewarding.

Smiling female employee wearing a hard hat and goggles in front of industrial equipment

A commitment to inclusion and diversity

We’re 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, and value our differences for the strength and diversity they bring to our organisation.

Close-up of a line of work boots with rainbow-colored laces on clay soil

Quality of life

We’re committed to providing you with the flexibility you need to balance your work life with your home life, your family, and your other outside interests, passions, and commitments.

Female Rio Tinto employee and her son playing foosball in an arcade

People and culture

Whatever our individual roles, we’re each here to contribute to extremely important work. And we do it together. We inspire, encourage, empower and truly care for each other.

Three smiling Rio Tinto employees gathered around a small conference table

Opportunities for growth

With a business as expansive and diverse as ours, the opportunities for professional advancement are limitless. We’ll work with you to create a career plan, develop your skills, and further your education.

Female Rio Tinto employee is business casual clothing presenting to large group in auditorium

Meaningful work

We’re industry innovators – driving responsible progress and exploring the boundaries of everything we do. And we work hard to leave a lasting, positive legacy for everywhere we work. Nothing could be more rewarding.

Female Rio Tinto employee in high technology center writing on glass board

A commitment to inclusion and diversity

We’re 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 different.

Female Rio Tinto employee in foreground working on laptop with other employees in the background

Inspiring people and an empowering culture

Whatever our individual roles, we’re each here to contribute to extremely important work. And we do it together. We inspire, encourage, empower and truly care for each other as we live out the values and deliver the performance that defines Rio Tinto.

Diverse group of smiling Rio Tinto employees standing over table looking at project plans

Meaningful work

You’ll be joining a global technical community with the best tools and data at your fingertips. We are innovation leaders and are committed to advancing the promise of a more sustainable world. Nothing could be more rewarding.

Two male Rio Tinto employees controlling large, state-of-the-art drone

Quality of life

Enjoy efficient and effective work processes with strong support to help you balance your other interests and commitments.

Male Rio Tinto employee with his smiling family, holding his son

Opportunities for growth

With a business as expansive and diverse as ours, the opportunities for professional advancement are limitless. Our technical development programs are industry-leading and enable you to grow your career through a dedicated technical path while being rewarded for your unique skills.

A male and a female Rio Tinto employee are at a project site and looking at a computer tablet

A commitment to inclusion and diversity

We’re 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 and value our differences for the strength and diversity they bring to our organisation.

Close-up of a line of work boots with rainbow-colored laces on clay soil

Opportunities for learning and development

You can build on your education with real-world work that makes a difference. With our Global Development Program and other key initiatives, you’ll help shape the future of Rio Tinto as you enhance your professional potential and broaden your career options. You’ll network with experienced industry leaders and expand your knowledge base through many specific development activities.

Two Rio Tinto employees look on as a third employee writes on a white board

Meaningful work

You’ll get to work on a variety of assignments that present exciting challenges and complexity. If you receive rotations, you’ll also participate in many different roles, teams, and environments.

A female Rio Tinto professional in business attire sitting at a desk in an office setting

A focus on sustainability

You’ll be able to play a significant role in sustainability initiatives and help us develop global solutions for environmental and climate change challenges.

Wind turbine in field of flowering bushes

Inspiring people and an empowering culture

You’ll experience the benefits of our unique culture. Our leadership is active, engaged, supportive, and ready to help you translate your education into a rewarding career.

Diverse group of Rio Tinto employees walking through industrial building

A commitment to Inclusion and Diversity

We’re 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 and value our differences for the strength and diversity they bring to our organisation.

Close-up of a line of work boots with rainbow-colored laces on clay soil

Life at Rio Tinto

We’re a mining and metals company with operations in 35 countries around the world. We work in an incredible variety of settings – in mines, smelters, and refineries; in sales offices and data centres; in research facilities and development labs; and with artificial intelligence. All of this adds up to tremendously varied lifestyle options. We’ll work with you to determine the lifestyle opportunities that are available for your role.

1/6

Residential

You’ll be part of a friendly, welcoming community close to our mining operation. You’ll be home after each shift to enjoy your life away from work.

2/6

FIFO

Flying into a site, staying at a camp for the duration of your roster, then flying home again. We call this FIFO.

3/6

BIBO

For certain sites, you will take a bus or a boat into the site, stay at a camp, and then bus or boat out again.

4/6

Operations Centre

Advanced facilities in certain regions enable our teams to control some systems remotely.

5/6

City hubs

State-of-the-art offices connect you seamlessly with colleagues around the world.

6/6

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.

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.

Your questions answered

Your questions answered

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