Senior Advisor – Government Relations

• Challenging and exciting role
• Coordinate and implement government relations strategy at the Federal level
• Based in Canberra, Australia

About the role

We are looking for a Senior Advisor – Government Relations to coordinate and implement Rio Tinto’s government relations strategy.

Based in Canberra this position plays a key role in Rio Tinto’s engagement with senior Federal Government, political and public service stakeholders.

This is a great opportunity to take ownership of a pivotal role to support Rio Tinto’s government relations strategy at the Federal level in Australia, including implementing the ongoing development and maintenance of systems and processes underpinning this function.

This role will be offered on a permanent Full-time basis and relocation will be provided if required.

Reporting to the Head of Government Relations – Australia and New Zealand and working closely with a wider team across Australia, you will:

• Build and manage relationships with key stakeholders, including in government, the parliament, embassies, industry associations and think tanks.
• Monitor and analyse public policy and regulatory developments and prepare submissions.
• Work closely with Rio Tinto’s business units in Australia, producing advice and briefing materials.
• Develop strategies and policy documents that support policy and regulatory outcomes to meet Rio Tinto’s business objectives.
• Support the delivery of successful stakeholder engagement plans, including with high quality briefing materials for Rio Tinto executives.
• Coordinate meetings and key events associated with the Government Relations function.
• Update relevant risk and issues registers associated with the Government Relations function.
• Engage with relevant industry associations on public policy – including supporting Rio Tinto’s senior leaders in their representation in these associations – and to ensure Rio Tinto’s policy objectives and standards are met.

About you

To be successfully considered for this role, you will have:

• Tertiary qualification in law, economics, business/commerce, political science or related fields with demonstrated experience in stakeholder analysis, engagement and planning.
• Previous substantial experience in dealing with governments and departments, particularly with the Federal Government, including working with ministerial offices and/or industry associations to address issues and achieve policy outcomes.
• Strong network, including in Federal Government departments and ministerial advisers.
• Experience and effective influencing skills when engaging with senior leaders internally and externally.
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience in preparing high-level briefing, strategies and submissions.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams as well as independently to deliver business wide initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in project management and working through a large organisation to achieve results.

It will also be beneficial if you have:

• Previous experience working on issues related to the resources and energy sectors in Australia.

About Rio Tinto

Every idea, every innovation, every little thing the world calls ‘progress’ begins with a first step, and someone willing to take it: explorers, inventors, entrepreneurs. Pioneers.

For nearly 150 years, Rio Tinto has been a company of pioneers – generations of people spanning the globe, all with the grit and vision to produce materials essential to human progress.

Our iron ore has shaped skylines from Shanghai to Sydney. Our aluminium – the world’s first to be certified “responsible” – helps planes fly and makes cars lighter. Our copper helps wind turbines power cities and our boron helps feed the world, and explore the universe.

Our diamonds help us celebrate the best parts of life.

Where you’ll be working

The role will be located in Canberra and primarily focused on government relations at the Federal level. Opportunities for interstate travel.

You will be part of a global team providing expertise and advice across all aspects of external affairs, stakeholder engagement, social risk management, communication, brand management and media relations.

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.

We are a diverse team of talented, enthusiastic individuals who foster a culture of inclusion. No matter how they may differ, our people share one thing in common. It’s a belief that work is more rewarding when we are accepted and valued for our differences, not judged by them. We all have something to contribute, and it’s this contribution that makes for a great organization and fulfilling career.

Please note, in order to be successfully considered for a role you must complete all pre-screening questions.

Applications close on 2 May 2021 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)