Project Manager - Surface Mine

• Lead capital projects that directly support one of the world’s largest copper mining operations.

• Work a Monday to Friday, nine-day fortnight schedule that supports work-life balance.

• Join a collaborative team delivering meaningful projects across mining, closure, environmental, geotechnical, and infrastructure programs.

At Rio Tinto, we are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to succeed. We actively encourage applications from women and from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We know that great technical capability comes in many forms, and we’re focused on building teams that reflect the communities we operate in and support each other to do their best work.

We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide the materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other.

About the role

We are looking for a Project Manager to manage a variety of moderate to major-sized Mining & Closure projects and studies for the Surface Mine at Kennecott Copper.

As part of a global mining organization, you will play a key role in delivering projects that support safe, sustainable, and efficient mining operations.

Reporting to the Manager - Surface Mine Projects, on a Monday to Friday, nine-day fortnight roster and working collaboratively with operational and functional teams, you will be responsible for:

• Managing moderate to major capital projects from initiation through to completion, ensuring objectives are achieved through effective management of resources, budgets, schedules, risks, and change.

• Planning and coordinating project studies and execution activities, including analysis, technical evaluations, and engagement of third-party contractors and consultants.

• Ensuring appropriate project governance and stage-gate approvals, including technical writing, business case development, and presentations to investment and governance committees.

• Delivering projects safely and successfully while meeting technical, quality, cost, and schedule requirements.

• Embedding safety requirements into all project activities through hazard identification, critical risk management, and mitigation planning.

• Leading collaboration across operational, technical, and support teams to achieve project objectives and business outcomes.

• Managing relationships with project sponsors, senior leaders, and stakeholders across multiple functions.

• Supervising contractors to ensure compliance with Rio Tinto standards and project requirements.

About you  

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Project Management, Regulatory, Earth Sciences, or another relevant technical discipline.

• Demonstrated project management experience within mining, heavy industry, construction, or a related industrial environment.

• Experience managing project scope, cost, schedule, quality, and risk.

• Strong technical writing, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering plans, drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.

• Project management certification (PMP or CAPM) or advanced project management training is highly regarded.

• Experience in contract management, project controls, business improvement, risk management, or change management is beneficial.

• Electrical project experience, quality assurance, commissioning, or schedule development experience is advantageous.

What we offer

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority.

• Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus.

• Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.

• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution; Generous 401k matching program.

• Attractive share ownership plan.

• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.

• A generous parental leave policy, which ensures you’re able to spend quality time with your new family.

• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing.

• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides confidential counselling or expert guidance for you and your family to help get through life’s challenges.

 

Where you'll be working  

Our Kennecott mine is a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation, including a concentrator, smelter, and refinery, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, and sulfuric acid. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and is one of the top producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production.

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.

 

Respect and Inclusion

Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.

Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.