Chief Counsel, Simandou
* Exciting leadership role, playing a pivotal part in delivering one of the world's largest greenfield mining and infrastructure projects, unlocking the largest known high-grade iron ore deposit.
* Become part of a highly collaborative global team, committed to your growth and development.
* Permanent role, based in London with frequent travel.
About the role
We are looking for a Chief Counsel, Simandou working as a key leader within the Simandou team and the Copper and Legal team, part of the wider Legal, Governance and Corporate Affairs function.
The role will lead the legal support for the Simandou business and will be part of the Simandou Senior Leadership team. The role will lead and be accountable for developing and maintaining a high performing global team of lawyers and advisors to deliver commercially astute high-quality legal advice to the business as well as working collaboratively across the Legal, Governance and Corporate Affairs Function.
Reporting to the General Counsel, Copper and Simandou, the Chief Counsel – Simandou is responsible for:
* Leading and developing the global legal team supporting the Simandou project in a collaborative, future-ready model.
* Providing commercially astute legal advice to senior management across all project activities.
* Implementing joint venture and governance arrangements, while managing key legal, commercial, and reputational risks.
* Leading negotiations and interactions with joint venture partners and Government stakeholders.
* Offering strategic, pragmatic guidance beyond legal advice to support the complex, multi-stakeholder project.
* Managing external legal resources cost-effectively and creatively.
* Ensuring legal compliance with contractual, regulatory, and corporate requirements.
* Maintaining Rio Tinto's business reputation, especially in Guinea, to preserve our license to operate.
What you’ll bring
* A commitment to the safety and mental wellbeing of yourself and your team.
* Qualified lawyer with 15+ years of experience in multinational businesses or international law firms.
* Strategic thinker capable of considering long-term consequences and navigating complex environments.
* Strong interpersonal skills, comfortable with ambiguity, and experienced in managing diverse cultural contexts.
* Expertise in delivering legal advice in non-OECD jurisdictions, particularly in West Africa being an advantage.
* Proven ability to lead complex joint venture arrangements and multi-party transactions, including Government stakeholders.
* Strong negotiation, technical, and analytical skills, with a track record of providing creative solutions to commercial issues.
* Skilled in influencing senior management, fostering executive relationships, and focusing on team wellness and ethical values.
* French language skills preferred (but not essential).
Where you’ll be working
Rio Tinto’s global headquarters is situated in St. James’s Square, in the City of Westminster, London. As such, the grade II listed office reflects the vibrancy of the location, although it also overlooks the tranquillity of the only garden square in the district.
About the Simandou project
Simandou is the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit located in the south-east of the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. It will deliver a significant new source of high-grade iron ore that will strengthen Rio Tinto’s portfolio for the decarbonisation of the steel industry.
It will be the largest greenfield integrated mine and infrastructure investment in Africa with more than 600 kilometres of new multi-use rail together with port facilities under construction.
The mine is majority owned by Rio Tinto in joint venture with a consortium led by the Chinese State Owned Enterprise Chinalco and the Government of Guinea. First production is expected in 2025, ramping up over 30 months to an annualized capacity of 60 million tonnes per year.
Application deadline: 29th November 2024
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.
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.
Every Voice Matters
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 to be themselves. 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr