Principal Advisor, Government Relations

Rio Tinto; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Annual cash incentive (STIP)

Extensive health benefits

Retirement plan with company match

Employee share program

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Rio Tinto is seeking a Principle Advisor for Government Relations in Salt Lake City to strengthen trusted stakeholder relationships and support the company’s licence to operate. You will advise on government and community engagement, support major business initiatives, and work with state and federal partners.

You will lead high-level engagements, build senior relationships, and contribute to strategic forums and cross-functional projects within the Government Relations function based in Utah.

Qualifications

• Qualification in communications, public policy, political science, business, social sciences, or related field.
• Experience in government relations, external affairs, stakeholder engagement, or related discipline.
• Established relationships with Utah Governor’s Office, state/federal agencies, lawmakers, and industry groups.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic government and stakeholder engagement advice on major initiatives and issues.
• Lead high-level engagements with government officials to advance Rio Tinto priorities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with state and federal offices, legislators and industry groups.
• Advise teams on engagement strategies and governance practices.
• Collaborate across functions to align government relations with business priorities.
• Monitor policy developments and provide timely strategic recommendations.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Government relations

Strategic planning

Relationship management

Communication

Leadership

Policy analysis

Education

Qualification in communications/public policy/political science/business/social sciences (or related field)

Job description

• Strategically plan and execute Rio Tinto’s strategy to build and maintain trusted relationships with government, communities and other key external stakeholders to support our licence to operate.
• Join a collaborative environment where you can work independently, build senior-level relationships and contribute to meaningful long-term outcomes
• Grow your profile by leading high-impact stakeholder engagement initiatives, strategic forums and special projects across the Government Relations function based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

• Strategically plan and execute Rio Tinto’s strategy to build and maintain trusted relationships with government, communities and other key external stakeholders to support our licence to operate.
• Join a collaborative environment where you can work independently, build senior-level relationships and contribute to meaningful long-term outcomes
• Grow your profile by leading high-impact stakeholder engagement initiatives, strategic forums and special projects across the Government Relations function based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

We’re Finding Better Ways to provide materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other.

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.

What you’ll be doing

Reporting to the GM, Land, Water, and Government Relations and working within the U.S. Government Relations team, you will be

• 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.

About You

We’re looking for someone whose experience aligns with the key requirements below. You do not need to meet every “helpful for success” item to apply — if you bring relevant experience and are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to submit an application.

Required for Success

Safety

An unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others.

Qualifications

A qualification in communications, public policy, political science, business, social sciences, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

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.

Relationship Management and Influence

A proven ability to develop and implement stakeholder strategies that build trust, strengthen relationships, influence outcomes, and support organizational priorities.

Political and Organizational Judgment

Strong political and organizational judgment, with the ability to understand complex stakeholder environments, anticipate emerging issues, and identify risks and opportunities.

Governance and Strategic Support

Experience using stakeholder engagement frameworks, governance processes, and reporting practices to inform strategy and support effective business decision-making.

Communication

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop concise executive briefings, facilitate complex discussions, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and provide clear, actionable recommendations.

Helpful for Success

• Knowledge of policy, regulatory or legislative environments that impact heavy industry , air and water quality regulations, tax policies, or the Utah legislative process.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and stakeholder-focused change initiatives.

What We Offer

We are committed to providing our employees with a generous benefits package. Be recognized for your contribution, your way of thinking, your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress, we provide

• A safety-focused and inclusive working environment
• Advantageous salary package with annual cash incentive awards (STIP) for eligible employees
• Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution; Generous 401k matching program
• Generous Rio Tinto employee share program, which allows you to purchase Rio Tinto Company shares.
• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all moments that matter in life PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
• A favorable child-caregiver leave program (Up to 100% salary top-up)
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing
• Ongoing Employee Assistance Program for you and your family; to help in addressing educational opportunities, addiction treatment, depression, stress, domestic issues, financial management, and legal concerns.
• Our team and industry experts are here to support and work with you to explore your learning potential and career goals

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.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win‑win situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and Inclusion

Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.

Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.