Principal Sustainability, Nature

Fortescue Metals Group; Western Australia; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortescue, based in Perth, Western Australia, seeks a Principal, Sustainability (Nature) to lead nature-related risk assessments and support TNFD disclosures across global operations. You will translate environmental risks into actionable business guidance, collaborating with Sustainability, Operations and Finance to drive resilient planning and investments.

The role combines technical analysis with strategic oversight, shaping how biodiversity, water and ecosystems influence project

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading nature-related risk & opportunity assessments across biodiversity, land, water and ecosystems.
• Strong understanding of nature-related sustainability frameworks and disclosure requirements, including TNFD.
• Experience engaging and influencing stakeholders across operational, technical and corporate functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead nature-related risk assessments across operations, projects and value chains.
• Undertake location-based assessments using spatial and ecological data.
• Develop inputs for TNFD disclosures with robust methodologies and evidence.

Skills

Nature-related risk assessments

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis & modelling

TNFD disclosures

Strategic risk management

Education

Advanced degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

Spatial data analysis

Job description

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Work Location: Perth, Western Australia. Fortescue’s Perth office is located on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people.

Roster: Monday to Friday

Play a pivotal role in shaping how nature-related risks, opportunities and environmental considerations influence business decisions across Fortescue's global operations.

As Principal, Sustainability (Nature), you will provide specialist technical expertise across biodiversity, ecosystems, land and water, helping strengthen the understanding and management of nature-related impacts and dependencies across our operations, projects and value chains.

Reporting to the Manager Climate & Nature, this highly influential role combines technical analysis, strategic insight and enterprise-wide collaboration. You will lead complex nature-related assessments, support the development of Fortescue's TNFD disclosures and translate emerging environmental risks and opportunities into practical, evidence-based recommendations. Working closely with Sustainability, Operations, Risk, Finance, Engineering and senior business leaders, you will help integrate nature considerations into planning, investment and risk management decisions, supporting credible environmental outcomes and long-term business resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Lead specialist nature-related risk and opportunity assessments across operations, projects, facilities, products and value chains, evaluating environmental impacts, dependencies and emerging risks.

Undertake location-based assessments using spatial, ecological and operational data to identify biodiversity, land, water and ecosystem-related risks and opportunities.

Lead the technical development of nature-related analysis and disclosure inputs aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), ensuring robust methodologies, evidence and supporting documentation.

Provide specialist technical advice on relevant nature frameworks, emerging standards and their implications for business strategy, risk management, investment and operational planning.

Analyse the financial, operational, regulatory, reputational and strategic implications of nature-related risks, translating complex findings into practical recommendations for senior stakeholders.

Develop and recommend mitigation, adaptation, monitoring and management measures to support the integration of nature considerations into project development, approvals and enterprise risk processes.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and coordinate internal and external technical specialists to deliver nature-related workstreams, assessments and strategic initiatives.

Support the development of nature-related ambitions, targets and performance measures, prepare technical inputs for executive and governance reporting, and benchmark Fortescue's approach against relevant industry practices.

Qualifications and Experience

Demonstrated experience undertaking or leading nature-related risk and opportunity assessments, including biodiversity, ecosystems, land, water and environmental dependencies.

Strong technical understanding of nature-related sustainability frameworks, assessment methodologies and disclosure requirements, including TNFD.

Experience working across complex international organisations, with demonstrated ability to engage and influence stakeholders across operational, technical and corporate functions.

Strong analytical, statistical and modelling capability, including experience interpreting spatial, ecological and operational datasets to inform evidence-based recommendations.

Experience within resources, energy, manufacturing, heavy industry or an ASX-listed organisation is highly regarded.

Knowledge of water, coastal or freshwater ecosystems, wetlands ecology and associated environmental risks is highly desirable.

Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information into clear advice for senior leaders and multidisciplinary teams.

Advanced degree or equivalent tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline, with postgraduate qualifications, professional accreditation or specialist training in nature-related assessment or sustainability reporting highly regarded.

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.

https://fortescue.com/careers

Fortescue reserves the right to close applications early should a suitable pool of candidates be identified.Fortescue will never contact you to ask for payment of any kind, whether directly or through a third party.