Project Manager - Mesaba

Closing Date: March 31, 2023

Job Summary:

The Mesaba Project Manager will be a key member of the NewRange management team accountable to the NewRange General Manager and Management Committee for the successful advance of the Mesaba Project addressing key factors critical to the planned path-to-value business case for the Mesaba Project, including health and safety, planning, resourcing, preliminary design and engineering, environmental compliance, schedule, cost, and quality. The successful candidate will be based in northeastern Minnesota and will report to the General Manager of NewRange.

The Mesaba Project Manager is responsible and accountable for directing and supporting all the work necessary to move into a prefeasibility study on Mesaba in late 2023 which includes all project development activities related to planning, delivery and execution of the agreed scope of work for the Mesaba Project on an annual and multi-year basis. The Project Manager is responsible for designing, planning, and resourcing Mesaba Project specific activities in each of the following areas: Health, Safety, Environment & Community (HSEC) activities; Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) activities; Communities of Interest activities including community engagement and investment; Permitting including baseline social and environmental studies; Technical work programs including geoscience, hydrology/hydrogeology, geotechnical, mining, mineral processing, waste rock, tailings, and water; Design and Engineering works; and Project budgeting ensuring that project management and control practices are in place and performed effectively across the entire project.

The candidate will demonstrate consistent commitment to safety, environmental protection, and values-based community engagement as a core value. The Project Manager will also work closely with the General Manager and the technical, social, environmental, and regulatory teams to ensure alignment and that project execution occurs within these commitments.

Overview:

Located in the historic iron range mining region of northeastern Minnesota, NewRange is a joint venture between Teck American Inc. (Teck) and PolyMet Mining Corp (PolyMet) that is advancing two major copper-nickel-platinum-palladium deposits, namely NorthMet and Mesaba. NewRange’s priority focus is readying the feasibility stage NorthMet project for a production decision pending clearance of mine permits and advancing the Mesaba project to pre-feasibility studies and permitting.  NewRange is committed to unlocking a new domestic supply chain of critical metals for the transition to a low-carbon economy and positioning Minnesota as a world leader in sustainable mineral resource development.

More information about NewRange Copper Nickel LLC is available at newrangecoppernickel.com

Responsibilities:

• Be a courageous safety leader, leading by example and fostering a proactive safety and sustainability culture based on NewRange’s values on health, safety, environment, and communities. Provide leadership in implementing and adhering to NewRange’s Health, Safety, Environmental, and Community (HSEC) policy. 
• As a senior leader of a multi-disciplinary project team, collaborate, influence, and manage project activities to unlock the value of the resource through strategic investments, the advancement of project studies, and the creation of related development options.  
• Manage and/or contribute to the development of resource plans and budgets to achieve project scope; establishing clear investment stage objectives, KPIs and critical success factors; and keeping the team focused on important project goals and deliverables.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and value creation and develop a “learning organization” ensuring “lessons learned” and “better ways” are captured and implemented on the project as well as documenting them for future investment stages.
• Work closely with the General Manager and NewRange and Partner Project Leadership teams to complete studies and develop the project execution strategy to successfully deliver on the project objectives meeting the key success factors of safety, cost, schedule, and quality.
  • Coordinate and manage the work effort of multiple internal and external SME’s, contractors, and consultants (as required or requested);
  • Ensure all aspects of the project design, procurement, and construction planning inputs and considerations meet industry and Partner expectations for quality;
  • Maintain focus and provide direction to the broader team on project priorities ensuring efficient and cost-effective delivery is achieved including in areas of Value Engineering; 
  • Apply appropriate project management standards and procedures, with reference to NewRange’s and Partner Project Management standards, criteria, and requirements;
  • Provide direction to the overall team to leverage strengths, overcome weaknesses, and identify key opportunities and areas of risk/exposure in the execution of the project ensuring both opportunities and risks are managed accordingly;
  • Maintain a ‘no surprises’ philosophy to project management, personnel management and development, as well as to overall program budget, activity, and communications; and
  • Develop and maintain open and effective communications within the broader project team aligned with NewRange’s governance structure (i.e., Management, Technical, ESG, and Finance Committees).
• Lead and develop the Mesaba Projects local and regional community engagement and community investment strategies to further promote and enhance NewRange’s reputation as an environmentally and sustainability focused resource development company.

The above accountabilities are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.  

Qualifications:

• University degree or equivalent technical designation with related experience in Project Management, Geosciences, Mining, Environmental Sciences, Engineering or Social/Political Sciences
• Greater than 15 years of solid, progressive experience in major mining capital projects and/or other major infrastructure investments; Minnesota specific experience would be an asset
• Demonstrated ability to deliver professional and personal safety and health & wellness practice in a multi-disciplinary team environment
• Track record of working collaboratively with diverse communities of interest at local, regional, and national level in support of developing environmentally responsible and sustainable resource projects
• Good understanding of project development and mine development/operating best practices including management of health and safety, exploration, resource development and planning, mining and waste management, processing, environmental and water management, logistics, and regulatory matters including closure planning
• Able to build effective working relationships with project, technical, engineering & design, and community teams to identify and resolve ESG-related technical and social issues
• Ability to prioritize, work under pressure and manage multi-disciplinary project and consultant teams with minimal guidance while meeting tight deadlines
• Ability to communicate effectively with people in a variety of roles and positions including senior government staff, technical staff, trades people, special interest groups – takes ownership for listening and understanding
• Ability to both influence and relate to individuals and achieve results with sensitivity to the personalities and positions involved
• Excellent communicator (i.e., written and verbal) able to represent the Mesaba Project and NewRange Copper Nickel in a wide range of public and private settings

Leadership Competencies:

• Dynamic, committed, resilient leader with established proven ability to build, develop and motivate high performing project teams and to develop the right culture to achieve desired results. Collaborates and openly debates with the team to manage projects, solve problems, discuss challenging issues, and learn more about critical issues as a group.  Empowers and collaborates with others to develop new ideas and share ownership and accountability for project outcomes.
• Acts with honesty and integrity and sets an example for others by demonstrating a common-sense approach, focuses on listening and learning in order to make the right decision.
• Demonstrated team player with a collaborative working style to foster open dialogue, create strong morale, celebrate successes with others.
• High degree of initiative, self-motivation, accountability, flexibility, and independent judgment.
• Results oriented with excellent organizational, planning, time management and decision-making skills.
• Understands the needs of the business, focuses on priorities, sets objectives and goals, measures performance and evaluates results.  
• Able to clearly articulate priorities, success factors, risks, and opportunities to the project team.
• Able to effectively manage and motivate team to deliver to project requirements.  
• Seeks ways to continuously improve our activities by encouraging entrepreneurship, refining practices, eliminating barriers, taking action to improve processes and mitigating problems that impact business performance.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills and experience working with a broad range of people.
• Understands how to get things done through formal channels, utilizing key practices, policies and procedures to achieve objectives.

At NewRange, we value diversity. Our teams work collaboratively and respect each person’s unique perspective and contribution.

Qualified applicants interested in joining a dynamic team are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter electronically.  

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for the position; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Your application to this posting is deemed to be your consent to the collection, use and necessary disclosure of personal information for the purposes of recruitment. 

NewRange respects the privacy of all applicants and the confidentiality of personal information.

Learn more about NewRange at newrangecoppernickel.com

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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