Sector Director, Mining tech

Founders Factory; Remote; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology startup accelerator is seeking a Sector Director to lead the Rio Tinto Mining Tech Program. In this role, you'll operationalise support for startups focused on decarbonising and enhancing productivity in the mining sector. The successful candidate will leverage extensive experience in deeptech or hardware, develop key relationships, and provide strategic guidance to portfolio startups. Located in Perth, this position offers a competitive salary and benefits in a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary and equity

Pension & Private Healthcare

25 holidays plus statutory holidays

Flexible working environment

Gender neutral family leave policy

Quarterly mental health days

Travel to London HQ for away days

Qualifications

• Experience in deeptech, hardware or climate sectors.
• Ability to work across geographies and multi-functional teams.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Operationalise the delivery of the Mining Tech Program.
• Support 12 pre-seed and seed-stage startups annually.
• Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders.

Skills

Passion for technology and entrepreneurship

Previous experience in deeptech, hardware or climate

Ability to connect and collaborate with founders

Knowledge on commercialising and scaling products

Personal networks across mining and startup sectors

Job description

Who we are

Founders Factory builds and funds startups together with exceptional entrepreneurs and the world's leading companies. Headquartered in London, Founders Factory backs visionary founders with capital, dedicated support from a team of 60+ operators, and unrivalled access to a coalition of industry leading corporate partners. Since 2015, our 300+ portfolio companies have raised $950mm follow‑on funding from leading investors in four continents. We believe climate change is one of the major challenges of our time, and that technology and entrepreneurship have a critical role to play in the development of solutions that will drive our transition to a net zero future. In mobilisation towards this objective, Founders Factory has built a global Climate Tech platform to invest in transformational technologies across key industries and international hubs. Located in Perth, Western Australia and investing globally, we have launched a new hub and two Accelerator programs in partnership with the Western Australian Government and global mining company, Rio Tinto. Through these programs we will fund over 72 startups over the next 3 years in areas including decarbonisation, exploration, nature, safety, and productivity.

What you’ll do

As Sector Director, you will operationalise the delivery of the Rio Tinto Mining Tech Program, being hands‑on and orchestrating a team and providing the key expertise to drive the development, funding and commercialisation of the startups we back. You will be responsible for operating a four‑month cohort‑based program supporting 12 pre‑seed and seed‑stage startups a year that are transforming nature & biodiversity, water, exploration, productivity, safety and decarbonisation. You will ensure the exceptional delivery of our accelerator program, bring in experts from Founders Factory and beyond, work closely with our partner Rio Tinto to establish relationships, problem statements and facilitate commercial opportunities, and build relationships with international founders, angels, VCs and universities in the climate, deep tech and mining tech sectors.

Coordinating support for startups in the portfolio

• You will be the key point of contact for the startups, ensuring they are getting the most out of the program and connecting them to our Founders Factory operations team for specialist support across product, commercialisation & GTM, fundraising strategy, data science, and more.
• Candidates should also have extensive knowledge about building and growing hardware, deeptech, or climate startups, including knowledge on selling products in these categories.

Corporate credibility with our partners

• Identifying and unlocking the unfair competitive advantage that our corporate partners can provide for each startup that joins the accelerator.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to ensure alignment and support for founders in the program.
• Prepare startups to work with our partner, Rio Tinto, evaluating piloting opportunities and enabling paths for commercial contracting.
• Act as a trusted advisor and liaison between portfolio founders and stakeholders, providing regular updates on strategic progress and addressing any concerns or challenges.
• Demonstrate credibility and expertise in partner relationships, a deep understanding of their business and processes, and serve as subject matter expert on relevant topics, such as regulatory requirements, market trends and technical advancements.

What you’ll need

• Passion for technology and entrepreneurship.
• Previous experience working as an operator in deeptech, hardware or climate, with knowledge on commercialising, scaling, and selling in these businesses.
• Passion for decarbonising heavy industry and accelerating the transition toward net zero.
• Ability to connect, emphasise and collaborate with top‑tier founder talent.
• Relentless energy and passion for finding opportunities, building relationships and execution.
• Personal networks across the mining sector and/or startup, VC and talent communities in Perth & Australia.
• Ability to communicate authoritatively and passionately and share details of the Founders Factory vision, differentiation and operations.
• Ability to operate effectively, and to be calm and productive in the face of adversity and uncertainty.
• Ability to work across geographies, time zones and multi‑functional teams.
• Based in Perth, Western Australia.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and management company equity.
• Pension & Private Healthcare.
• 25 holidays (plus statutory holidays).
• Hybrid environment: flexible working in a fast‑paced environment.
• Gender neutral family leave policy.
• Quarterly mental health days.
• Travel to London HQ for bi‑annual company‑wide away days.

Founders Factory is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where people can authentically be themselves and are free to challenge, take risks and think creatively. We recruit, develop, compensate and promote our team members based on merit. We know how important it is not only to include, but to actively seek out diversity of thought and experiences.