Exploration Advance Stage Special Projects, Manager

Ma’aden; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mining company in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Manager for their Advanced Stage Special Projects function within the Exploration Division. This role involves overseeing the evaluation and strategic advancement of emerging mineral opportunities, including uranium and rare earth elements. Candidates with over 8 years of progressive exploration experience, strong geological modeling skills, and a background in managing multidisciplinary teams are encouraged to apply. The position emphasizes compliance and effective stakeholder engagement, offering a chance to significantly impact the company's growth.

Benefits

Career Growth

Competitive Salaries

Comprehensive Package

Inclusive Work Environment

Work-Life Balance

Employee wellness

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in mineral exploration, especially in greenfield projects.
• Ability to advance strategic mineral resources like uranium and rare earth elements.
• Knowledge of mining or energy sector regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the evaluation of unconventional mineral targets.
• Coordinate technical operations like drilling and surveys.
• Engage with multidisciplinary teams for project execution.

Skills

Geological modeling

Resource estimation

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Permitting processes

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geology or Geophysics

Master’s degree in relevant field

Job description

About Maaden

Maaden, established in 1997, is one of the fastest-growing mining companies in the world and the largest multi-commodity mining and metals company in the Middle East. We are leading the development of the mining industry to become the third pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economy by building a world-class, unique, and fully integrated mining value chain. We are pleased to share an exciting opportunity for the below mentioned position. This role offers a chance to contribute to our ambitious growth and play a key part in shaping the future of mining in the Kingdom.

Job purpose

Leads a dedicated Advanced Stage Special Projects function within Maaden’s Exploration Division, with full accountability for the evaluation, maturation, and strategic advancement of emerging mineral commodity opportunities—including but not limited to uranium, rare earth elements, and other non-core resources that extend beyond Maaden’s existing portfolio. Operating with a high level of technical discretion, strategic insight, and confidentiality, the role is responsible for:

• Coordinating complex technical, regulatory, and strategic workstreams, ensuring seamless integration across geology, permitting, infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement
• Driving the transition of unconventional mineral targets from early-stage concepts to advanced exploration phases, including resource definition, feasibility support, and pre-development positioning
• Upholding strict confidentiality protocols and ensuring full compliance with internal governance and external regulatory frameworks

The Manager plays a critical role in unlocking future resource potential, directly contributing to Maaden’s long-term growth, portfolio diversification, and strategic competitiveness. By combining technical leadership with strategic execution, the role supports Maaden’s ambition to responsibly expand its mineral footprint and capitalize on emerging global opportunities.

Key Accountabilities

The Manager leads the end-to-end execution of Special Exploration Projects, overseeing their full lifecycle from conceptualization to strategic positioning. This includes:

• Initiating and refining exploration concepts for non-traditional mineral commodities (e.g., uranium, rare earth elements)
• Screening and prioritizing targets based on geological potential, strategic fit, and regulatory feasibility
• Coordinating field operations, including drilling, sampling, and geophysical surveys, in alignment with technical and safety standards
• Navigating regulatory frameworks, securing permits, and managing compliance across jurisdictions
• Engaging multidisciplinary teams and external partners, including geology, infrastructure, permitting, and government affairs, to ensure integrated project delivery
• Positioning emerging mineral opportunities for advancement within Maaden’s broader exploration and development pipeline

The role functions as a strategic integrator, ensuring that all project components are executed with precision, confidentiality, and alignment to Maaden’s long-term resource development strategy.

• Operates under the strategic direction and oversight of the Director, Exploration and Resource Development
• Holds operational responsibility for executing approved technical plans, managing resources, and coordinating internal and external stakeholders
• Makes day-to-day decisions within the boundaries of Maaden’s corporate policies, governance frameworks, and strategic priorities
• Accountable for project deliverables and milestone execution, subject to regular portfolio reviews and checkpoint evaluations to ensure compliance, performance, and strategic alignment
• Supports project prioritization and resource allocation, providing recommendations based on technical merit, risk assessment, and strategic value

Communication & Working relationships

• Government Authorities – Assists in communication and coordination with national and regional regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Industry & Mineral Resources, nuclear agencies, and environmental authorities to support permitting and compliance efforts.
• Technical Advisors & Consultants – Works with external specialists in frontier commodity domains (e.g., uranium, rare earth elements) to gather insights, validate technical plans, and ensure alignment with project standards.
• Joint Venture Partners & Academic Institutions – Engages prospective JV entities and academic partners to facilitate project-related research, knowledge exchange, and potential future collaboration.
• External Contractors – Coordinates with third‑party service providers—such as drilling, permitting, and environmental study teams—to support timely execution and quality delivery of exploration activities.

Minimum Qualification, Experience and Competencies

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Geophysics, or a closely related field.
• Master’s degree in Mineral Economics, Engineering, Business Administration, or Public Policy.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in mineral exploration, with exposure to greenfield and early‑stage frontier projects.
• Proven ability to support the evaluation and advancement of unconventional or strategic mineral resources such as uranium and rare earth elements.
• Working knowledge of permitting processes, ESG factors, and national regulatory requirements relevant to the mining or energy sectors.
• Strong proficiency in geological modeling, resource estimation, and management of exploration workflows.
• Sound understanding of financial planning, cost evaluation, and assessing speculative projects within budget and capital constraints.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a managerial capacity leading multidisciplinary teams within exploration or related technical domains.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with executive leadership, regulatory authorities, and external partners to support project goals, stakeholder alignment, and compliance objectives.

Benefits

1. Career Growth
2. Competitive Salaries
3. Comprehensive Package
4. Inclusive Work Environment
5. Work-Life Balance
6. Employee wellness