Director, Tailings Governance

HECLA MINING CO.•Coeur d'Alene, ID

About The Position

The Director, Tailings Governance provides senior technical leadership and subject matter expertise for tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and water‑retaining dams across Hecla’s global operations and major projects. This role ensures that Hecla is well positioned to manage geotechnical, operational, and water‑related risks through strong governance, consistent standards, and effective collaboration with sites, Engineers of Record (EoRs), and senior leadership. This role provides guidance for the safe, responsible, and sustainable management of Hecla’s TSFs and dams throughout the full facility life cycle—from design and construction through operation, closure, and post‑closure. This includes delivering corporate best‑practice guidance, conducting senior‑level technical reviews, and strengthening performance through continuous improvement. The Director serves as a key link between site teams and corporate leadership, communicating facility performance, elevating emerging risks, and supporting informed decision‑making. They help ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, Hecla’s Corporate Standards, the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), and other relevant guidelines. Close coordination with EoRs and technical consultants is essential to provide high‑quality review, oversight, and direction.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Civil, Geological, or Geotechnical Engineering preferred; Ph.D. a plus
20+ years of progressive experience in geotechnical engineering, tailings management, and/or dam safety, with demonstrated senior leadership in a mining operator or technical consultancy
Deep expertise in geotechnical engineering, with demonstrated proficiency in dam and pond design, construction, and long-term governance across the full facility life cycle
Prior experience as an Engineer of Record (EoR) for tailings storage facilities or water-retaining dams strongly preferred; experience working closely with EoRs in an owner or oversight role is equally valued. Experience with heap leach/stack operations is a plus.
Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng.) registration required; multi-jurisdictional registration preferred
In-depth SME knowledge of critical state soil mechanics, tailings rheology, geotechnical engineering and TSF operations as evidenced through related tertiary qualifications and extensive post-graduate and practical on-ground experience.
Expertise in specialist geotechnical investigation techniques, advanced laboratory testing, slope stability and seepage analysis and detailed design relating to tailings and water storage facilities and associated infrastructure.
Proven capability in successful design and/or management of High consequence TSFs in a range of challenging mining operations and projects.
Demonstrated ability to influence decisions and performance at both the operational and management level through effective written and verbal communication
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships (face-to-face and remote)
Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing business needs and circumstances
Excellent skills in managing time, setting priorities, planning, and organizing
Capable of working with minimal supervision and able to self-manage priorities, with focus on high quality outputs and attention to detail.
Ability to engage and gain trust of stakeholders at all levels of an organization
Experience in external stakeholder engagement (industry, community, regulatory), including ability to influence policy direction.
Strong understanding of tailings facility design principles and geotechnical stability analysis
Proficiency with AutoCAD and project management software (MS Project or Primavera P6)
Working knowledge of geotechnical analysis software and instrumentation data interpretation
Familiarity with risk assessment methodologies and industry guidelines (GISTM, CDA, MAC)
Demonstrated ability to quickly adopt and implement new technical software, technologies, and methodologies as industry practices evolve
Strong analytical skills to evaluate technical data combined with the ability to effectively communicate complex engineering concepts to diverse audiences with varying technical backgrounds
Demonstrated problem-solving capabilities and collaborative work style
Excellent time management skills and attention to detail
Ability to build relationships with site personnel, leadership, and external consultants

Responsibilities

Provide senior‑level technical expertise on tailings storage facilities (TSFs), water‑retaining dams, and surface water management across all Hecla operations.
Serve as a corporate technical advisor and senior reviewer for design, construction, operation, monitoring, and closure of TSFs and dams.
Stay current with geotechnical engineering best practices and emerging technologies relevant to tailings and dam safety.
Support research, innovation, and evaluation of new technologies to improve performance and closure outcomes.
Provide stewardship and governance for all TSFs and dams, ensuring alignment with Hecla Corporate Standards, regulatory requirements, and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM).
Establish, implement, maintain, and verify procedures and SOPs for proper facility management across the company.
Support the development and continuous improvement of corporate standards, guidelines, and tools for tailings and water dam management.
Help implement and oversee systematic review processes, including dam safety inspections, dam safety reviews, and assurance audits.
Ensure sites act on recommendations from internal audits, independent reviews, and regulatory inspections.
Conduct technical reviews of investigation plans, engineering designs, construction drawings, specifications, monitoring data, and closure plans.
Lead and participate in technical evaluations, risk assessments, and development of mitigation strategies for TSFs and dams.
Assist sites with risk assessments, risk mitigation plans, and follow‑up actions.
Conduct regular performance reviews of facilities and recommend appropriate risk‑reduction measures.
Plan, coordinate, and oversee annual reviews and audits of TSFs.
Liaise with Engineers of Record (EoRs), consultants, and contractors, providing technical review, oversight, and direction.
Provide technical supervision, guidance, and mentoring to site‑based Responsible Tailings Facility Engineers (RTFEs) and Heap Leach Responsible Persons.
Engage with Joint Venture partners and represent Hecla in external technical forums, industry groups, and stakeholder engagements.
Participate in industry‑wide working groups to influence policy and communicate regulatory or industry changes back to the business.
Contribute to training, workshops, and mentoring to strengthen global tailings and dam safety capabilities.
Organize and deliver training programs to build site capacity in tailings and heap leach management best practices.
Promote knowledge‑sharing, consistency, and continuous improvement across all sites.
Support team development and help foster an inclusive, high‑performing environment aligned with Hecla values.
Report on the status of TSFs and heap leach facilities, including monitoring results, compliance activities, and emerging risks, to Hecla leadership.
Act as a key link between site teams and senior leadership, ensuring critical information is communicated clearly and promptly to support informed decision‑making.
Represent the company in regulatory, community, and industry engagements related to tailings and dam safety.
Perform other duties as required.