Study Lead | Responsable des études

Rio Tinto • Montreal, QC

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

Shape the future of Rio Tinto’s Lithium & Aluminium portfolio by leading major project studies with real impact. Turn complex opportunities into investment-ready projects through strong governance, clear direction, and disciplined execution. Regular travel is required for this role; the successful candidate must be willing to travel based on project and stakeholder needs. Permanent hybrid role that can be based in Montreal or Kitimat, with in-office presence required. 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. We are looking for an experienced project leader to guide major studies, bring together multidisciplinary teams, and help deliver strategic projects that support the growth and future of Rio Tinto. This is a great opportunity for a results-driven leader to take ownership of high-value studies within a global, collaborative, and fast-moving project environment. Reporting to the General Manager, Project Development, and working as part of the Lithium & Aluminium Projects team, you will lead the planning, execution, and delivery of major studies, from order of magnitude through to pre-feasibility and feasibility. Coordinate resources, timelines, budgets, and priorities to ensure the study advances safely, efficiently, and with discipline. Bring together an integrated multidisciplinary team and foster a culture of collaboration, alignment, and accountability. Partner closely with First Nations communities to co-design project solutions, building strong, respectful, and long-term partnerships. Partner with product groups, suppliers, engineering teams, and internal experts, with regular travel required, to optimize business outcomes. Ensure the study aligns with Rio Tinto’s guidelines, execution plans, and governance requirements. Identify key project risks, issues, and opportunities, and implement strategies to mitigate or realize them. Assess options, challenge scope, estimates, and timelines, and provide clear recommendations to decision-makers. Prepare and support approval documents, business cases, and presentations for senior leaders and governance committees. Undertake regular travel, including approximately one week per month in First Nations communities, to support engagement, partnership development, and project advancement.

Requirements

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• A university degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, or another relevant discipline.
• Significant experience leading studies or managing major projects in a mining, industrial, or complex infrastructure environment.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing, with the ability to build trusted partnerships across Indigenous communities, regulators, governments, and senior leaders.
• Ability to navigate complexity and change while keeping teams engaged, focused, and aligned on key priorities.
• Strong understanding of investment, approval, governance, and project delivery processes, from order of magnitude through to feasibility.
• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to mobilize multidisciplinary teams, influence stakeholders, and move priorities forward in ambiguous environments.
• Strong business acumen, with discipline in managing risks, costs, and schedules, and the ability to provide clear, actionable recommendations to decision-makers.
• Fluency in French and English, both written and spoken.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in partnership with Indigenous communities and a demonstrated ability to support collaborative solution development is considered a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of major studies, from order of magnitude through to pre-feasibility and feasibility.
• Coordinate resources, timelines, budgets, and priorities to ensure the study advances safely, efficiently, and with discipline.
• Bring together an integrated multidisciplinary team and foster a culture of collaboration, alignment, and accountability.
• Partner closely with First Nations communities to co-design project solutions, building strong, respectful, and long-term partnerships.
• Partner with product groups, suppliers, engineering teams, and internal experts, with regular travel required, to optimize business outcomes.
• Ensure the study aligns with Rio Tinto’s guidelines, execution plans, and governance requirements.
• Identify key project risks, issues, and opportunities, and implement strategies to mitigate or realize them.
• Assess options, challenge scope, estimates, and timelines, and provide clear recommendations to decision-makers.
• Prepare and support approval documents, business cases, and presentations for senior leaders and governance committees.
• Undertake regular travel, including approximately one week per month in First Nations communities, to support engagement, partnership development, and project advancement.

Benefits

• Exclusive employee discounts
• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical programs, pension and savings plans
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior