Communities and Social Performance Lead

Requisition ID: 298266 · Relocation Authorized: National - Single · Telework Type: Part-Time Telework · Work Location: Houston, TX

About the Role

Bechtel is seeking a Communities and Social Performance Lead – North America to support Mining & Metals projects, pursuits, and strategic initiatives across the United States and Canada. Working closely with the Manager of Sustainable Development, Business Development teams, and project leadership, you will help develop and implement communities and social performance strategies that support successful project outcomes and strengthen Bechtel's position as a trusted delivery partner.

The role will lead the identification and management of social performance risks and opportunities, support customer engagement, and provide technical leadership on stakeholder engagement, social licence, Indigenous and First Nations relations, and broader sustainability considerations across the project lifecycle. The position also contributes to business development activities, project execution planning, and the advancement of Bechtel's sustainable development objectives across the region.

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of technical expertise, stakeholder engagement experience, commercial awareness, and strategic thinking, together with a strong understanding of social performance and sustainability issues relevant to the design and delivery of major capital projects. Position can be based in Houston, TX; Reston, VA; Denver, CO; or Vancouver, BC, with travel throughout the United States and Canada as required.

This position is designated as part-time telework per our global telework policy and will require at least three days of in-person attendance per week at the assigned office or project. Weekly in-person schedules will be determined by the individual and their supervisor, in consultation with functional or project leadership.

Project Overview

The mining and metals industry plays a critical role in supporting the global energy transition, providing the copper, lithium, nickel, alumina, and other commodities needed for electrification, renewable energy, digital technologies, and resilient infrastructure. As demand for these materials grows, our customers continue to place increasing importance on sustainable development, Indigenous partnerships, community value creation, and responsible project delivery.

Major Responsibilities

• Support regional business development and project teams to understand sector trends, customer sustainability and decarbonisation objectives, regulatory requirements, ESG expectations, and social performance priorities across North America.
• Identify, assess, and communicate social performance risks, opportunities, and stakeholder considerations that may influence project viability, permitting, execution, reputation, or long-term value.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Indigenous Nations, Indigenous organizations, communities, government agencies, customers, and other key stakeholders relevant to project development and execution.
• Identify and evaluate Indigenous partnership, participation, procurement, employment, and community investment opportunities that align with customer commitments and project objectives.
• Support business development activities by providing social performance, sustainability, ESG and decarbonisation input to project pursuits, proposals, studies, customer engagements and strategic planning activities.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Procurement, Construction, ES&H, Legal, and Project Controls teams to integrate social performance considerations into studies, project planning, design, and execution strategies.
• Maintain awareness of evolving legislation, industry practice, regulatory developments, and stakeholder expectations across the United States and Canada, advising project teams of potential implications.
• Monitor emerging social, community, and stakeholder issues that may affect Bechtel, customers, or project outcomes and support their proactive management.
• Support customers and project teams in the development and implementation of sustainability strategies, ESG roadmaps and sustainability reporting approaches, including consideration of climate change, decarbonisation, social value and community benefit objectives.
• Mentor and support project-assigned Sustainable Development practitioners and contribute to the ongoing development of the function.
• Collaborate with Sustainable Development regional leads globally to share lessons learned, best practices, tools, and emerging trends.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree* and 10-13 years of experience, or 14-17 years of relevant work experience in social science, sustainability, planning, environmental studies, communications, public affairs, community development, Indigenous studies, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in social performance, stakeholder engagement, Indigenous relations, community relations, sustainability, or a closely related field.
• Experience supporting large-scale mining, infrastructure, energy, industrial, or construction projects through development, permitting, execution, or operations phases.
• Demonstrated understanding of social performance principles and their application to major projects, including social licence, stakeholder engagement, Indigenous engagement, impact assessment, risk management, and value creation.
• Experience establishing and maintaining productive relationships with Indigenous Nations, Indigenous organizations, communities, customers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Understanding of regulatory, permitting, environmental and social impact assessment, consultation, and sustainability requirements across the United States and/or Canada.
• Knowledge of relevant industry frameworks, standards and best practices, including ESG principles, sustainability reporting frameworks, climate and decarbonisation initiatives, lender requirements, Indigenous engagement frameworks and community impact management approaches.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations, proposals, and executive-level communications.
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams and to influence outcomes in a complex project environment.

Pay

Salary Range: 119,800 - 182,700 annually (salary range is based on market data; final salary offered is determined by education, experience, and qualifications of the applicant.)

Benefits

At Bechtel, our employees enjoy a competitive total rewards package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, along with optional disability and supplemental insurance options, generous paid time off (160 hours annually, accrued 6.16 hours per pay period), nine paid holidays, paid parental leave, discretionary bonuses, and a well-designed 401K plan with matching and profit-sharing components.