Chief Counsel, Simandou

at  RIO Tinto

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
  Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.
  We are looking for a Chief Counsel, Simandou working as a key leader within the Simandou team and the Copper and Legal team being 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.
  Being one of Rio Tinto’s senior leaders means helping to run a company that drives human progress. You are writing the next chapter of our story. You lead some of the industry’s best and brightest minds, working to solve the challenges of the 21st century where the scope of this role provides the platform to make a meaningful difference within Rio Tinto and beyond. We offer competitive, performance- focused remuneration and a wide range of benefits to reward your contribution. With a global reach, the opportunities to develop are broad and exciting.

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, on the edge of the West End, and is the site of the group’s original head office. Located over several floors, the office is truly a global hub for the business and is the base for many members of the Executive Committee. 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 and is a short walk from Green Park and Piccadilly underground stations.

• 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