Principal Advisor Agreements & Governance

About the role  

As Principal Advisor Agreements & Governance, you will lead a specialist team responsible for ensuring Rio Tinto’s agreements with Traditional Owners are compliant, well-governed, and aligned with the organisation’s values and strategic objectives. This is a key leadership role requiring a balance of technical expertise, relationship management, and a commitment to upholding the integrity of our agreements.  

You’ll work closely with internal teams—including Legal, Agreement Making, and Communities—and external stakeholders to manage risks, monitor performance, and support continuous improvement in our agreement governance practices.  

Reporting to the Manager Heritage & Agreement Implementation you will; 

• Lead a team overseeing agreement governance, compliance, and implementation, ensuring commitments to Traditional Owners are effectively delivered 

• Collaborate with Legal and Agreement Making teams to draft and review new agreements, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and standards 

• Conduct compliance reviews on existing agreements and establish compliance frameworks for new ones 

• Identify, assess, and manage risks related to agreement implementation, escalating issues and recommending mitigation strategies 

• Provide technical support and expert advice on agreement and commitment management, including the development of implementation strategies 

• Oversee preparation for and participation in technical compliance meetings, ensuring stakeholders are well-informed and equipped 

• Maintain a clear and integrated view of engagement and support risks, coordinating with internal functions and business units 

• Embed relevant policies and standards including the CSP Standard, Cultural Heritage Management procedure, and Indigenous programs, while driving continuous improvement across the function 

You’ll Bring 

• You bring a strong foundation in legal experience, supported by relevant legal qualifications and proven experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements. 

• Strong experience in building and maintaining respectful relationships with Traditional Owners and stakeholders, with a focus on inclusive planning and engagement 

• Proven ability to support and oversee the implementation of complex agreements, ensuring alignment with both community expectations and organisational goals 

• Demonstrated capability in leading or contributing to change management initiatives, particularly within culturally diverse and multi-stakeholder environments 

• Experience managing formal reviews and governance processes related to agreements or commitments 

• Solid project management skills, with the ability to prioritise, coordinate and deliver multiple initiatives effectively 

• Understanding of agreement benchmarking and modernisation approaches to ensure best practice and ongoing relevance 

• Experience in monitoring and governing social and economic commitments, including impact and opportunity assessments 

• A collaborative and supportive leadership style, with a passion for building team capability and fostering continuous improvement 

• Ability to design and carry out assurance activities, ensuring integrity, compliance, and transparency in agreement execution.