Principal Advisor, Communities & Social Performance (Socio-Economic Transition)
-
Shape a region’s future and be part of the socio-economic transition of Jabiru and West Arnhem
-
Build high-value partnerships and unlock opportunities for sustainable development towards a post-mining future
-
Advance your career in a growing area of strategic importance
-
Permanent role based in Jabiru (enjoy housing benefits) or BIBO from Darwin
About the role
As the Ranger Rehabilitation Project progresses, we have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Advisor, Communities and Social Performance, to join the Ranger Project team and lead the development and implementation of a socio-economic transition strategy to support Jabiru and surrounding communities.
This is a unique opportunity to drive meaningful, long-term change in a culturally rich and environmentally significant region while playing a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of the RRP Closure Strategy.
Working closely with the Mirarr people and their corporate entities, local communities, government agencies, and regional stakeholders, you will identify opportunities for economic diversification and sustainable development. Your work will help shape a future that reflects the cultural, social, and economic aspirations of the Mirarr people and the broader West Arnhem region.
Reporting to the CSP Manager, you will:
-
Lead the design and delivery of a socio-economic transition strategy for the Ranger Rehabilitation Project (RRP) aligned with community aspirations and closure objectives.
-
Build strong partnerships with the Mirarr people and their corporate entities, local businesses, government agencies, and development organisations.
-
Identify and support opportunities for economic diversification, capacity building, and sustainable development.
-
Secure funding and resources to support transition initiatives.
-
Ensure cultural sensitivity and inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in all aspects of planning and implementation.
-
Monitor and evaluate progress, reporting regularly to stakeholders.
-
Collaborate with internal stakeholders including the Rio Tinto Closure CSP team and the CSP Area of Expertise, Major Projects, Contracting and Procurement, Land and Water Management, Cultural Heritage, and the Ranger Project Leadership team to align transition strategies, unlock commercial opportunities, and support timely project progression toward rehabilitation and relinquishment.
We are committed to building and maintaining positive relationships with the communities in which we operate. Our team focuses on establishing and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders to ensure the positive impact of our projects and initiatives. This is a great opportunity to join us in our mission to create long-term value for communities while meeting social and environmental standards.
What we are looking for
We are seeking a strategic thinker and relationship builder with deep experience in socio-economic development and regional transformation. You will bring:
-
A commitment to the safety of yourself and your colleagues
-
Extensive experience in socio-economic or regional development, ideally in Indigenous or remote community contexts.
-
Proven ability to engage and collaborate with Traditional Owners, Indigenous businesses and corporate entities, government bodies, and community organisations.
-
Experience in economic transition planning, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilisation.
-
Excellent communication, negotiation, and consensus-building skills.
-
A commitment to respectful and inclusive practices.
What we offer
-
Unique opportunity to contribute to a world-class project to rehabilitate a former uranium mine surrounded by a pristine National Park environment
-
A safety-focused and inclusive working environment
-
A competitive salary package with annual cash incentive awards (STIP)
-
Access to top tier family-friendly health and medical programs
-
Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave, cultural leave)
-
Ongoing individual wellbeing support for you and your family for personal and professional matters
-
Generous Rio Tinto employee share program
-
Domestic relocation assistance on offer
-
Extensive salary sacrifice and salary packaging options
Who we are
Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA) is a publicly listed company with Rio Tinto as its major shareholder. ERA, established in 1979, previously mined and produced uranium oxide. The Ranger Rehabilitation Project is located on Aboriginal land, surrounded by, but currently separate from, Kakadu National Park.
ERA’s production operations on the Ranger Project Area ceased in January 2021, with the major focus now shifting to the comprehensive world-class rehabilitation of the Ranger mine that will eventually allow it to be incorporated back into the Kakadu National Park should the Traditional Owners and the Commonwealth Government wish.
The Ranger Rehabilitation Project is the largest project of its kind in Australia and possibly the world. It is unique in that it is rehabilitating land in one of the world’s most culturally and environmentally sensitive locations, surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park on the land of the Mirarr Traditional Owners, located three hours southeast of Darwin.
Applications close on Friday 31st October 2025.
#gts
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-3-12088
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
- 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
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.
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.