Role Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Exploration – Australia, the Principal Geologist is the technical and operational leader for mineral exploration projects in Australia. Under the direction of management, the Principal Geologist will lead a team of professionals in geoscience, health & safety, community relations, environment, and field operations to plan and execute technical programs aimed at the discovery of economic mineral deposits. The role will provide broad technical direction on a variety of projects and will interact with key technical leaders and subject matter experts to ensure a high standard of geoscience work, integrated interpretation, and product. A key component of this position is to develop talent organically and contribute to an engaging and inclusive high performance work environment.

Specific Accountabilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the New Projects team, encompassing both Generative and Evaluation functions. Ensure alignment with regional exploration objectives, foster collaboration across sub-teams, and support the development of innovative project concepts and evaluation opportunities.
• Demonstrate the company’s commitment to health and safety and sustainability and ensure that best practices are upheld in exploration programs in Australia;
• Develop tactical strategies to fulfill discovery objectives in Australia and the region. Provide the Exploration Manager with portfolio optimization recommendations regularly;
• Support the development of high-quality project proposals within the annual budget and planning process. Coach team members through the process to support their development and performance.
• Plan and design multiple greenfields exploration programs through the early-stage value chain across Australia, communicating early any foreseeable risks to project execution;
• Oversee the development, progression and prioritization of operating plans for individual projects (including allocation of resourcing);
• Ensure a high standard of technical practice aimed at meeting group objectives and meaningfully advancing discovery programs;
• Monitor operating budgets of approved programs and advise the Exploration Manager areas of potential variance;
• Support the advancement of recommendations for new opportunity capture through project evaluations and generative workflows.
• Identify and implement new exploration strategies, methods and workflows within the region in collaboration with the Regional Chief Geologist; 
• Liaise with global technical expertise to ensure technical practices and standards are met or exceeded and that the appropriate technical methodologies are applied;
• Support the development and sustainment of a high-performing technical geoscience team. Recommend and/or implement relevant talent management and employee development strategies;
• Ensure efficient completion of key administrative components of the programs (proposals, contracts,technical reporting, etc) in line with Teck standards; Maintains a broad network of contacts within industry for intelligence and recruiting purposes;
• Manage relationships with local government, commercial entities, community and other stakeholders;
• Keep abreast of any new developments within the region including industry, government, and academic activities.
• Stay up to date with relevant service provider and consultant offerings.

Technical Competencies

• Have a minimum 15 years of experience in the mineral exploration industry, preferably with experience in operating projects in Australia;
• Hold a bachelor degree in geology or an equivalent geoscience field;
• Be registered with, or eligible to register with, a relevant professional accredited membership;
• Global exploration experience, including the ability to adapt geoscientific approaches across diverse geological settings and jurisdictions, is considered an asset. Experience integrating international best practices into regional programs to enhance discovery success is highly regarded.
• Proven experience with managing multiple (or large) exploration projects simultaneously;
• Experience with portfolio management and prioritization would be an asset;
• Demonstrated success in managing and leading teams and developing people;
• Specific technical knowledge of copper, nickel and/or zinc mineral systems;
• Be thoroughly familiar and experienced with relevant geoscience practices, methods and concepts.
• Experience applying these techniques to discovery programs for zinc, copper and nickel is preferred;
• Ability to integrate, generate and interpret advanced 3D models using multi-disciplinary data sets;
• Strong attention to detail and process with a demonstrated ability to develop, execute and modify operating plans;
• Thoroughly up to date with modern exploration approaches, methods and technology;
• Willingness to innovate technical practice as it applies to mineral exploration;
• Advanced written and oral English language skills are required; Superior technical writing, and ability to prepare and deliver presentations to assist senior management in decision-making.
• Proficient  in  the  use  of one  or  more  specialist  software  packages  such  as Leapfrog, GOCAD, Micromine, ArcGIS Pro and/or IoGas,

Leadership Competencies

• Flex  between  leading  through  influence  and  direct  management,  and  leverage  a  variety  of communication styles and approaches to build relationships and trust;
• Effectively delegate responsibilities while managing performance and coaching for success;
• Understand the needs of the business (short-, mid- and long-term), develop and implement associated strategies and tactics, and be change agile;
• Leverage strong communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills to work with diverse groups, including the ability to motivate and inspire others;
• Work  effectively  in  multi-disciplinary  team  environments  and  to  develop  collaborative  working relationships with diverse groups and other departments in the Company;
• Model a results-oriented approach with excellent organizational, planning, program management and decision-making skills; 
• Demonstrate a high degree of initiative, self-motivation, accountability and independent judgment;
• Understand how to get things done through formal channels, utilizing key practices, policies and procedures to achieve objectives; and
• Take a long-term, strategic and innovative view and act as a catalyst for organizational change.