Manager, Strategic Programs & Partnerships – Copper Innovation

• Lead strategic R&D programs and external partnerships critical to Coppers long-term value and growth.
• Act as a trusted advisor across government academia and industry.
• Permanent role based in Salt Lake City UT

Were 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

This is a high-profile and strategically important leadership role within Copper Innovation.

You will operate at the intersection of technology strategy and execution turning opportunity into funded governed and delivered outcomes.

Reporting to the General Manager Innovation & Technology Systems you will:

• Lead strategic R&D programs from concept through demonstration and execution.
• Own and manage external partnerships with government agencies universities national laboratories startups and technology providers.
• Shape proposals letters of support and collaborative submissions.
• Sponsor and oversee multiple R&D programs and projects ensuring governance risk and assurance compliance.
• Build strong internal stakeholder relationships across R&D operations legal and commercial teams.
• Lead mentor and develop technical and project professionals.

What youll bring

• Proven experience leading complex R&D technology or innovation programs ranging from early phase technology assessment through to piloting and demonstration.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and prioritize technologies considering integration constraints operability/maintainability safety and environmental risk and overall value/ROI.
• Strong capability managing senior internal and external stakeholders including alignment across legal commercial technical and operations teams.
• Experience shaping and negotiating commercial and partnership agreements (e.g. NDAs MOUs joint development/collaboration agreements sponsored research and technology evaluation agreements) in collaboration with Legal and Commercial.
• Experience with intellectual property (IP) strategy and management (e.g. invention disclosure freedom-to-operate awareness licensing background/foreground IP and confidentiality).
• Experience working with government agencies research institutions consortia and other complex partnerships.
• Sound judgment navigating ambiguity and technical complexity.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence without authority.

Qualifications

Degree in Engineering Science or related technical discipline.

Ph.D. degree strongly preferred.

What we offer

• Be recognized for your contributions innovative thinking and dedication and leave each day knowing youve helped the world progress.
• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus
• 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
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off) paid holidays and paid bereavement leave
• A generous parental leave policy which ensures youre able to spend quality time with your new family
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Personify Health with incentives supporting your wellbeing
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which provides confidential counselling or expert guidance for you and your family to help get through lifes challenges

Where You Will Be Working

The Innovation & Technology Systems team is part of the Copper Technical & HSEC (Health Safety Environment & Communities) team and is shaping the future of Rio Tinto Copper. The team advances technology unlocks value from complex ore bodies enables critical minerals recovery and builds partnerships that accelerate innovation and long-term value creation.

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 cant do it on our own so were 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 for more information.