New Job Principal Advisor, Communications And Government Relations In Northwest Territories

Principal Advisor, Communications and Government Relations

• Trusted partner to the Communications & Government Relations function of the Diavik Diamond Mine.
• Strategic role, part of a collaborative and high performing global team
• Permanent opportunity | Role based in Yellowknife, NT with regular travel at the DDMI mine site

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

We are looking for a Principal Advisor Communications and Government Relations to strategically manage the communications and government relations requirements of the Diavik Diamond Mine in a manner that supports its business strategy, now and into the future.

The Diavik mine, 100 percent owned and operated by Rio Tinto, is Canada’s largest diamond mine in terms of production with 6-7 million carats of rough diamonds produced each year. Diavik has a number of Participation Agreements in place with Indigenous partners and a Socio-Economic Monitoring Agreement (SEMA) with the Government of the Northwest Territories.

This role is a great opportunity for a communications and government relations professional in a globally positioned strategically minded product group. This role develops and executes communications programmes in support of Diavik’s strategies, goals and initiatives, in partnership with Rio Tinto Minerals, Rio Tinto Canada and Rio Tinto’s global corporate affairs teams. The role also leads government affairs, specifically within the Northwest Territories of Canada, to support strong policy development and advocacy to enhance Diavik’s profile and reputation in the region. The Principal Advisor, Communications and Government Relations is an integral part of the Diavik leadership team, led by the President of the Diavik mine.

Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager, you will:

• Serve as a strategic advisor providing Communications and Government Relations guidance to the Diavik leadership team
• Develop and execute integrated communications and stakeholder engagement plans that support and align with Diavik’s objectives, including its government relations, community relations and closure objectives
• Lead the development of positions on key issues to be used in interactions with external stakeholders. This would include developing position papers, briefing documents, executive talking points, Questions and Answers, and issues briefs
• Lead the development of internal communications strategies, including messages and materials to enhance employee engagement and drive line of sight of strategic goals
• Support Diavik senior leaders with internal and external communications including speeches, presentations, employee town hall meetings, global team meetings and crisis communications
• Provide government relations support within the Northwest Territories to enhance Diavik’s profile and reputation within the region
• Develop, lead and maintain key relationships with local and territorial government
• Work closely with the environment and closure teams on regulatory issues

What you’ll bring

• Demonstrated experience in communications, government relations and reputation management, preferably in a public company
• A high level of experience in developing and executing strategic, proactive, fit-for-purpose communications plans to support business objectives
• 10-15 years of experience in government or private sector, in a related field
• Proficiency in developing messaging to manage complex and sensitive issues
• Good organizational and issues management skills
• Strong demonstrated leadership and people management skills
• A team-oriented, pro-active, results-driven and collaborative approach, with experience in working in a matrix organization
• Ability to manage budget and personnel
• Ability to balance multiple priorities under tight deadlines
• Bachelor’s degree (in communications, business, economic, political science preferred)
• High level of proficiency in English

What we offer

Be recognized for your contribution, you're thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Company provided insurance cover
• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more) Possible domestic relocation assistance

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.

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.

Working at Rio Tinto also means choosing to be part of a company designated as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers in 2023 for a 4th consecutive year. For more information, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6999447814468497408