About the role
As Manager Performance, Improvement, Risk & Systems, you will play a critical leadership role within Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s Health, Safety, Environment and Communities (HSEC) function. You will be responsible for driving system-wide improvements, embedding strategic planning processes, and enhancing the effectiveness of risk, performance, and assurance frameworks across the business. This role is central to integrating HSEC systems with operational execution, influencing cultural transformation, and ensuring alignment with RTIO’s ambition to be the Best Operator.
With a strong focus on strategic leadership, digital enablement, and cross-functional collaboration, you’ll guide the function toward high-impact, sustainable outcomes. Reporting to the Vice President, HSEC, you will;
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Support the HSEC Leadership Team’s journey to embed a strong values-based performance culture by culture and performance through teams better collaborating and operating as an integrated system between themselves and the wider RTIO organisation.
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Lead the development, integration, and enhancement of HSEC systems and processes that drive operational excellence across RTIO
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Embed the HSEC Annual Plan and Rio Tinto’s Safe Production System practices (cascaded priorities, integrated cadences, problem solving, improvement) to support cohesive planning, prioritisation, and execution across the function.
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Support the Annual Planning Review process and drive alignment between strategy, planning, and performance cycles
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Define and coordinate HSEC work drivers with divisional General Managers, ensuring integration across business units and functions
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Oversee risk analysis, assurance, and governance activities, supporting effective risk management and regulatory compliance
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Drive the First Line of Defence program and guide risk reduction through structured frameworks and performance monitoring
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Lead the development and implementation of the HSEC Digital Strategy, including continued Enablon adoption and system enhancements
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Manage and develop the Risk, Systems & Performance teams, ensuring capability, coordination, and delivery against HSEC objectives
You’ll Bring
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Experience in performance and business improvement, gained within a similar industrial environment
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Strong project management skills and a strategic mindset, with the ability to see the big picture and drive meaningful outcomes
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In-depth understanding of risk management and assurance processes within complex operational settings
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Inclusive and people-centred leadership, with a track record of enabling high-performing, diverse teams, preferably in an operational environment
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Ability to translate strategic and business requirements into practical, effective solutions in an operational context
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Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to partner across multiple levels of the organisation
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Proven capability to influence, lead change and shift mindsets, supporting cultural and operational transformation
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Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver in a fast-paced environment
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A systems-thinking approach underpinned by strong analytical and reporting capabilities
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Understanding of mining operations and sustainability, ideally with experience in heavy industry or manufacturing
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Experience developing and embedding integrated planning, work management and performance systems in complex, matrixed organisations
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
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ 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.
JOB_POSTING-3-7669
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 LGBTQIA+ 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.
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
Take a look at Theresia’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
- 2022 – PresentChief advisor Nature SolutionsJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- 2018 – 2022Head of Environment, Global HSESMontreal, Quebec, Canada
- 2016 – 2018Principal advisor: EnvironmentJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- 2013 – 2016Superintendent: Ecology and RehabilitationRichards Bay Minerals, KZN, South Africa
- 2012 – 2013EcologistRichards Bay Minerals, KZN, South Africa
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 one of our function’s teams
We supply the materials that drive human progress. You make it all possible.
With business operations that stretch from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Perth, Western Australia, we have exciting opportunities in virtually every discipline imaginable. From HR to marketing, finance to technology, infrastructure to supply chain, and much more, the opportunities are endless. Join us and enjoy:
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.
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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.
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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.