Energy Transition Manager

Full Job Description

Energy Transition Manager

• Opportunity to join the Energy & Climate business at Rio Tinto
• Critical role leading the development of multi-gigawatt renewable portfolio for Pacific Operations
• Brisbane location preferred

Where we’re all welcome  

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.

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 acknowledge that all people are different and believe that our differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together.

About the role

As one of the world’s largest industrial users of energy, Rio Tinto has a unique challenge in the energy transition. Rio Tinto Energy & Climate (RTEC) is a new global team focused on prioritising and accelerating our decarbonisation efforts to deliver on our climate commitments while ensuring our business is well positioned for the future low-carbon economy. Led by the Chief Decarbonisation Officer, the Energy & Climate team works collaboratively across the business to drive delivery of the Group climate strategy and address our key sources of carbon emissions.

The Energy Transition Manager role will sit within the RTEC Pacific Repowering team. The team covers Rio Tinto’s aluminium and alumina assets in Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand which represents nearly 50% of Rio Tinto Group scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions. The RTEC Pacific Repowering team is focused on delivering new energy solutions in the four locations, reducing scope 1 and 2 footprint, and protecting the cost position of existing assets. The energy solutions will be delivered in partnership and require an understanding of energy markets, renewable energy and commercial agreements.

As we continue to build upon this key part of our business, we are now looking for an Energy Transition Manager. The individual will be responsible for strategic planning and project delivery across our portfolio with initial focus on the Gladstone refinery energy solution. The role will require coordination and management of our key stakeholder relationships including the Rio Tinto Aluminium (RTA) product group, government and transmission network service providers, renewable project developers, and the relevant external advisors.

Reporting to the Manager, Energy Strategy & Program , you will

• Be accountable for the planning, development and implementation of the renewable energy solution to decarbonise the Gladstone alumina refineries in partnership with the RTA Decarbonisation Team
• Play a key role in the development of optimal energy sourcing strategy for refineries
• Initiate, contribute to and coordinate commercial and technical analysis and energy market modelling to support decision-making
• Establish and manage a multi-disciplinary project team comprised of key internal stakeholders and external service resources including financial, legal and technical advisors
• Establish project controls such as project schedule and tracking, reporting, risk and issues register and coordinate internal approvals
• Undertake stakeholder engagement and communication including engagement with senior leaders, government, electricity market participants, transmission network providers and industry groups
• Support negotiations with vendors/bidders/stakeholders and other deal stakeholders
• Support the broader Pacific Repowering Program in development of strategy papers, internal memos and management presentations
• Ensure full health, safety and environmental compliance with Rio Tinto and statutory requirements
• This position can offer a number of flexible work arrangement options including flexible hours, hybrid workplace model, or job share arrangements.

What You’ll Bring

• Self motivated individual able to exercise tenacity in a fast paced and multi-stakeholder environment
• Experience in renewable energy project development and/or energy market operations
• Demonstrated ability to understand decarbonisation and energy transition challenges, identify technical solutions and translate this into actionable implementation plans
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with ability to manage complex problems within rapidly changing environments
• A strong communicator both verbally and in writing with demonstrated success in preparing sharp and succinct presentations and internal documentation
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with ability to achieve positive outcomes in highly political environments
• Project management qualification and/or relevant experience
• Qualifications in a relevant tertiary discipline, drawn from business, engineering, science, economics and/or other relevant disciplines
• Experience working in management consulting and/or top-tier commercial advisory will be held in high regard
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently as part of a small and dynamic team

This is an exciting time at Rio Tinto and we are looking for an open minded and collaborative team member to come and join us. You will get to partner with this forward-thinking business, demonstrating your resourceful ideas at all levels and with various stakeholders.

If you have a clear appreciation of the business impact this role has and can couple this with demonstrated care, courage and curiosity, then we would love to see your application.

What we offer

• Be recognised for your contribution, your 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 and salary packaging options
• Career development and 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)

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.

Applications close on 2^nd April 2024 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)