Senior Manager, External Affairs

An inclusive environment for all
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable being themselves. We also want everyone to feel that their voices matter, that all cultures are respected, and that perspectives, as diverse as they are, are not only welcome, but essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other distinguishing aspect.

At Rio Tinto, we welcome and encourage applications from women, older workers, persons with disabilities and representatives from diverse backgrounds.

Everyone is different, and we believe that these differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences, and perspectives within our team enhances the way we work and our ability to succeed together.

About the role:

The Senior Manager, External Affairs will lead RTG’s External Affairs (EA) function, ensuring strategic alignment and operational excellence across stakeholder engagement, government relations and stakeholder engagements, including civil society, IFIs, diplomatic corps, business / industry forums. The role supports both RTG and Simfer S.A., and interfaces with joint venture partners such as Winning Consortium Simandou and Compagnie du Trans-Guinéen.

This position operates in a politically and commercially complex landscape, requiring high-level strategic thinking, stakeholder diplomacy, and cross-functional collaboration.

The role will work in partnership with to deliver the Rio Tinto mission in country, in partnership with departments and teams within the organization and across the joint venture mandate.

The function of this role relates to operational day-to-day management and leadership of the RTG EA team, participation and support of the RTG and Simfer S.A. senior leadership teams, informing, co-developing (with RTG and Simfer S.A. leadership, Commercial and D&T EA and relevant stakeholders) and implementing an integrated EA strategy for the project in Guinea and relevant jurisdictions  across the full scope of the RTG EA mandate to achieve the department's objectives and targeted plan.

The incumbent will work in collaboration with all relevant teams across Rio Tinto, including Product Groups, Commercial, Legal, Communications, Civil Society, Communities, and other functions, to ensure the delivery of a fully integrated and aligned External Affairs agenda.

Key Responsibilities:

• Co-develop and implement an integrated EA strategy for assets and interests in Guinea and relevant jurisdictions in collaboration with relevant RT External Affairs teams across the full scope of the EA mandate.

• Identify and lead strategic approaches to address business issues and risks, including:

• Stakeholder relationships / partnership development, including civil society organizations.

• Government engagement in scope of joint venture (partner relationship), and BAU relationship management (regulator relationship);

• Issues tracking and management in partnership with CSP, JV, RED, Projects and other teams.

• Directly support Simandou (Simfer and RTG) senior leadership on strategic issues.

• Drive unified governance and reporting stream to ensure visibility across relevant leadership teams: Simandou – RTG and Simfer, D&T EA, and external affairs

• Represent Rio Tinto’s interests in policy, regulatory and industry meetings and participate in selected industry association meetings as needed.

• Keep engaged and informed D&T EA leads to ensure product group alignment.

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with government agencies, key individuals, civil society, IFIs, diplomatic corps, and industry groups, and competitor organizations,

• Create good working relationships with senior business people and work across multiple functions and disciplines

• Act as senior representative in external engagements.

• Lead and develop the RTG EA team to meet evolving business needs and operating conditions

• Demonstrate visible and felt leadership in modelling Rio Tinto values, ethical behaviours and culture (with safety first)

• Provide an enabling environment that allows people to think creatively to deliver agreed business outcomes

• Cascade and translate business context to team members and partners, including external stakeholders where appropriate

• Active collaboration with multiple internal stakeholders including RTG, Simfer team, Commercial and other relevant Rio Tinto Group functions

Qualifications & Experience:

• College/University Education: Degree qualifications in Communications, External Affairs or related fields. Post graduate qualifications desirable.

• Technical Competencies, Skills and Experience

• Strong leadership level experience in EA/related areas in large international organization and complex projects/jurisdictions, including operational and/or field experience

• Demonstrated track record and experience in leadership and stakeholder / civil society engagement, and government relations at a senior level

• Current and relevant experience in Guinea desired, strong understanding of operating landscape

• Experience as a spokesperson or senior representative for business (e.g. delegate for CEO/MD in stakeholder engagement, speaker on external forums)

• Solid professional expertise in solving complex problems and identifying and implementing strategic recommendations in partnership and collaboration

• Strong interpersonal skills including excellent written and oral communication (minimum bilingual: French primary, English secondary)

• Values-based behaviours, collaborative mindset and caring approach to leadership

• Ability to build bridges across cultural, linguistic, team and organizational boundaries

• Excellent influencing, engagement, conflict resolution and communication skills

• Strength in building and maintaining effective relationships across all levels of the business, in order to influence strategy at a senior level.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with non-specialists both face to face and remotely.

• An ability to diagnose and foresee problems and opportunities based on limited information

• Demonstrated experience managing multiple stakeholders in complex situations

• Demonstrated expertise in building effective internal and external relationships through partnership, respect and collaboration

What we offer

Get recognition for your contributions, your ability to think, your hard work, and the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped the world move forward.

• Work environment where safety is always the top priority
• Competitive base salary based on your skills and experience
• Annual cash incentives for eligible employees
• Career development opportunities and training assistance to achieve your aspirations • Access to family-friendly health programs, top-notch retirement and savings plans
• Wellness benefits
• Rio Tinto's generous employee stock ownership plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• One-on-one wellness support (personal and professional matters) for you and your family
• Comprehensive leave policy covering all important life moments (vacation/annual, paid parental leave, etc.)  
   

About the Simandou Project
The Simandou Iron Ore Project is located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. It is Africa’s largest infrastructure and mining project and represents one of the largest known reserves of high-grade iron ore in the world.

Rio Tinto holds rights to Simandou Blocks 3 and 4 through SimFer, a joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH). Construction of the mine, together with the associated rail and port infrastructure, is well underway with first production from the SimFer mine expected in 2025.

About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a global leader in the mining and materials companies. We are established in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and the prosperity of people, communities, and nations. We have been in business for 150 years, drawing on knowledge accumulated over generations and on different continents. Our mission – to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs – guides us in our quest for innovation and continuous improvement, with the goal of making products that are low in emissions and meet the right environmental, social and governance standards. But because we can't do it alone, we focus on creating partnerships that allow us to solve problems, create mutually beneficial situations and seize opportunities.

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