Lead Principal Corporate Development

Fortescue-2; Perth; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortescue Metals Group seeks a commercially minded Lead Principal – Corporate Development to identify, assess and progress opportunities across acquisitions, earn-in ventures, strategic investments and partnerships. You will move between detailed financial analysis and senior‑level discussions, shaping transactions from early assessment through diligence and negotiation.

The role emphasizes leading workstreams, providing clear recommendations on value, risk and strategic fit, with a track record

Qualifications

• Experience in corporate development or transaction-focused roles.
• Record of contributing to complex transactions and leading workstreams.
• Strong financial modelling, valuation and commercial judgement.
• Ability to influence executives and manage cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for executive or committee briefs.
• Tertiary qualification in finance, accounting, economics, commerce or related discipline, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess and screen acquisition, JV, investment and partnership opportunities.
• Build and review valuation models; test assumptions across findings.
• Lead transaction workstreams and coordinate due diligence with internal teams and advisers.
• Develop commercial options, structures and negotiation positions.
• Engage with counterparties to progress discussions and resolve issues.
• Track M&A activity and market developments in metals and critical minerals.
• Prepare and present recommendations to investment committees and Board.
• Support integration of completed acquisitions.

Skills

Corporate development

Investment banking

Private equity

Corporate finance

Financial modelling

Valuation

Strategic assessment

Negotiation

Education

Finance/Economics/Commerce degree

Job description

Location: Perth Office, on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people

Roster: Monday to Friday

Reporting to: Senior Manager Corporate Development

We’re looking for a commercially minded transaction professional to help identify, assess and progress opportunities that diversify our portfolio. As Lead Principal – Corporate Development, you’ll work across acquisitions, earn-in joint ventures, strategic investments and partnerships, helping shape transactions from early assessment through diligence, negotiation and execution.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who can move between detailed financial analysis and senior‑level discussions. You’ll bring structure to complex opportunities, lead important transaction workstreams and make clear recommendations on value, risk and strategic fit.

Mining or resources experience is not essential. We’re interested in strong deal professionals from corporate development, investment banking, private equity, corporate finance and other transaction‑focused environments who can apply their judgement to a new industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and screen acquisition, joint venture, investment and partnership opportunities against Fortescue’s strategic priorities.
• Build and review valuation models, testing assumptions and incorporating financial, commercial, operational and technical findings.
• Lead key transaction workstreams, coordinating due diligence across internal teams and external advisers.
• Develop commercial options, transaction structures and negotiation positions with relevant stakeholders.
• Engage with counterparties and advisers to progress discussions and resolve transaction issues.
• Track M&A activity and market developments across metals and critical minerals, identifying opportunities for Fortescue.
• Prepare and present clear recommendations to investment committees, executives and the Board, explaining value, rationale, risks and alternatives.
• Work with internal teams to support the integration of completed acquisitions.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, corporate finance or a comparable transaction‑focused role.
• A record of contributing to complex transactions, with a clear account of the workstreams you personally led or owned.
• Strong financial modelling and valuation skills, with the commercial judgement to test assumptions and weigh strategic fit, value and risk.
• The ability to lead cross‑functional work, build alignment and keep decisions moving through uncertainty and negotiation.
• Confidence engaging with senior executives, technical specialists, advisers and counterparties, including the ability to present a clear position and respond constructively to challenge.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including experience preparing executive or investment committee recommendations.
• A tertiary qualification in finance, accounting, economics, commerce or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.

About Us

Be part of something big. Fortescue is leading the world with our plan to decarbonise our iron ore operations, projects that harness renewable energy and the development of technology that will change our planet forever.

Our Commitment

Fortescue celebrates individual strengths and team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Our global workforce drives and promotes an inclusive culture, both within our organisation and throughout the communities we interact with. Diverse backgrounds include First Nations Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ community, gender, neurodiverse, cultural diversity, all age groups, and those with an intersectional or multiple diverse characteristics.We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.