Rio Tinto Vice President - External Affairs US

Rio Tinto is a global mining and metals group, dedicated to the smartest discovery, extraction and processing of the earth's natural resources.

Everything we do is done with the future firmly in mind. So our employees are rewarded with opportunity, an open and diverse culture, and a responsible working environment in which they can go further.

The External Affairs (EA) team has a global accountability to support the Group in engaging with stakeholders in over 50 priority countries. The EA team is building a greater capability to focus on key countries.

The External Affairs team is constantly seeking to improve their capability to support priority countries in terms of their stakeholder engagement capacity, country strategy development, accessing Group best practice, training and development, and management of key policy issues such as resource nationalism.

The US External affairs team is essential to Rio Tinto's presence in the US as well as throughout the Americas, and globally, both in respect of the company's major operations in the region and as a function of the significant influence US based stakeholders have on many business-critical issues.

The role reports to the Global Head of External Affairs based in London, with a dotted reporting line to the Executive Committee sponsor for the US based in Salt Lake City. It will be based in our Washington DC office with the following key responsibilities:

· Support and guide the Executive Committee lead in the US and other senior internal customers in articulating our vision for how we want Rio Tinto to be regarded by key stakeholders in the US and globally.

· Support the Executive Committee lead in implementing a strategy for leveraging this to help drive key business goals.

· In close partnership with senior US-based internal customers, continue the implementation of a proactive Rio Tinto US external affairs strategy and program to support Rio Tinto's short, medium and long term goals.

· Continue building and maintaining a comprehensive map of relevant US-based stakeholders,
decision-makers and influencers; and use this systematically to build and maintain relationships to provide a sound platform for engagement and influencing.

· Enhance and maintain relationships and dialogue with government officials, politicians, advisers and other stakeholders to address business-related issues and to promote Rio Tinto views and interests.

· Implement pro-active strategies for anticipating policy and regulatory trends of relevance to the business, communicating these to the business units affected, and developing and delivering influencing plans to ensure that we achieve the highest possible level of alignment with our business needs.

· In close coordination with the businesses and key internal stakeholders, identify and deliver opportunities for US-based stakeholders to support Rio Tinto businesses and projects around the world.

· Leverage the US's position as a global player and influence center by building and maintaining relationships with a broad range of US-based influencers with global reach such as IFIs, international organizations, foreign policy networks etc.

· As a senior member of the global EA team, help shape and deliver global strategies for advancing and protecting Rio Tinto's business interests; similarly, bring insights generated from working with US-based stakeholders to help shape the Group's global policies on various matters such as transparency or trade sanctions.

· Provide leadership and development support to a small dynamic team of external affairs professionals delivering business-relevant outcomes on an evolving range of US and international policy issues team.

· Develop regional coordination with Rio Tinto business units and other internal contacts in Canada and Latin America to develop and implement country strategies including relevant regional inter-linkages.

In return, you will get the following:

· The role will give you excellent senior level exposure within Rio Tinto in a function that has the capability to enable the organisation to reach major strategic objectives in challenging circumstances.

· You will work within a diverse and multi-cultural organisation, and receive a competitive salary and excellent benefits.

· You will join a global organisation dedicated to fostering personal and professional growth with a commitment to safety, integrity and long term sustainable goals.

· You will be of Graduate calibre with a proven track record in public affairs advocacy and/or strong exposure to the government/business interface. Whilst not essential, a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) qualification would be very beneficial as well as exposure to the mining or natural resources industries.

· Accustomed to working within multi-cultural and multi-national environments, you possess first-class written and oral communications skills.

· You will possess expertise and experience regarding government, politics and/or analysis in the US with a strong network within Washington DC.

· A strategic thinker possessing ability to contribute to the development and implementation of long-term initiatives, you will be able to analyze and act on changing political, legislative/regulatory developments that affect the business.

· Evidence of the ability to successfully engage with Board executives in previous roles is preferred.

Please note that this role is subject to Rio Tinto's Pre-employment Screening Standard and will require your consent for Criminal Record and Credit checks.

Vice President - External Affairs US