Corporate Counsel

at  RIO Tinto

CORPORATE COUNSEL

• Opportunity to develop core skills as part of a global legal team of experts
• 12-month fixed term contract
• Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day role based in Brisbane
• Other locations such as Darwin or Perth, may also be considered

WHO WE ARE

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA) is a publicly listed company with Rio Tinto as its major shareholder. ERA, established in 1979, previously mined and produced uranium oxide from its Ranger mine in the beautiful and rugged Alligator Rivers area of the Northern Territory. The Ranger mine is located on Aboriginal land, surrounded by, but currently separate from, Kakadu National Park.
ERA’s production operations on the Ranger Project Area ceased in January 2021, with the major focus now shifting to the comprehensive world-class rehabilitation of the Ranger mine that will eventually allow it to be incorporated back into the Kakadu National Park should the Traditional Owners and the Commonwealth Government wish.
The Ranger Rehabilitation Project is the largest project of its kind in Australia and possibly the world. It is unique in that it is rehabilitating land in one of the world’s most culturally and environmentally sensitive locations, surrounded by the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park on the land of the Mirarr Traditional Owners, located three hours southeast of Darwin.
Closing date: 3rd of July 202

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a Corporate Counsel to support the Project in the provision of high quality, independent, timely legal advice on all issues having a material legal impact as well as its legal risk.

Working a Monday to Friday and 8 hours per day, you will report to the Manager Approvals & Agreements, and be responsible for:

• Analyse legal risks including corporate, commercial, regulatory and compliance aspects in a wide range of matters, such as corporate and business law.
• Maintain awareness of all material internal business developments and external legal developments which may lead to a need for legal advice.
• Provide advice, draft, and negotiate a range of agreements, legal documents and manages projects as designated.
• Manage claims, litigation, disputes, and alternate dispute resolution mechanism, including strategy and directing the work of outside counsel.
• Coordinating renegotiation of agreements and lease instruments relating to Ranger Project operations (S41 lease and mining agreements, S44, authorisations)
• Provide adhoc support on legal matters as requested – contracts and procurement review, compliance and obligations review
• Support with engagement through regulatory forums and meetings
• Support with negotiating strategy for relinquishment.

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Bachelor of Laws degree
• Must have practicing certificate
• 5-7 years post qualification experience within a major corporation or law firm
• Experience in managing large scale litigation matters
• Excellent leadership; decision-making and management skills as well as business acuteness
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment and collaborate efficiently with all members of the organization, including operations managers and members of the executive committee.
• Refined strategic capability and a proven desire to deliver results in a complex environmen