Principal Advisor, Government Relations

About the role

We are looking for a Principle Advisor for Government Relations to help the Government Relations team strengthen and maintain trusted relationships with key stakeholders. In this role, you will contribute to Rio Tinto’s licence to operate by providing stakeholder engagement advice, supporting significant business initiatives and fostering positive relationships with government representatives, communities, industry groups and other external bodies. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a dynamic stakeholder environment and wants to influence outcomes that support long-term business success.

Where you will be working: Our Kennecott mine is a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation, including a concentrator, smelter, and refinery, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, and sulfuric acid. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and is one of the top producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic government and stakeholder engagement advice to internal clients on significant business initiatives, emerging issues, and strategic matters involving State of Utah and federal government partners.
• Lead high-level engagements, forums, and meetings with government officials and key stakeholders to exchange information, address emerging issues, advance business priorities, and strengthen understanding of Rio Tinto operations and land development activities.
• Develop and maintain trusted, productive relationships with the Utah Governor’s Office and senior staff, state executive-level appointees, State of Utah and federal government agencies, legislators, Utah’s congressional delegation, industry associations, and other influential stakeholders.
• Advise regional and business teams on government and stakeholder engagement strategies, frameworks, standards, and leading practices that strengthen external relationships and support business objectives.
• Build trusted relationships with senior business leaders and collaborate across functions to align government relations strategies with broader business priorities and long-term objectives.
• Monitor and assess emerging policy, legislative, regulatory, and stakeholder developments, providing timely insights, strategic advice, and recommendations to senior leaders to support informed decision-making.
• Represent the Government Relations function in cross-functional initiatives, strategic planning activities, and external stakeholder engagements, ensuring government and political considerations are effectively incorporated into business decisions.
• Lead strategic projects and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen government and stakeholder engagement capabilities, improve organizational effectiveness, and deliver positive business and stakeholder outcomes.
• Lead the business’s government relations and policy strategy on land use and land development, including engagement on legislative, regulatory, and tax policy matters that impact current and future land development opportunities.

Requirements

• Safety: An unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others.
• Relevant Experience: Demonstrated experience in government relations, external affairs, stakeholder engagement, community relations, public affairs, or a related discipline within a large or complex organization.
• Government Relations: Established experience building and maintaining relationships with the Utah Governor’s Office and senior staff, State of Utah and federal government agencies, Utah’s congressional delegation, members and leadership of the Utah Legislature, industry associations, community leaders, and other key stakeholders.