Senior Advisor, Communications

The Senior Communications Advisor is the regional lead for all Gladstone communication for Rio Tinto. Combining strategic planning with hands-on delivery, the successful applicant will be an industry professional, capable and experienced in a fast-paced environment with limited supervision.

They’ll be an excellent writer with a head for strategy and an eye for risk who knows how to coach teams and leaders to enhance the Rio Tinto brand locally. A creative mind, they’ll have experience in digital media, newsletters and be ready to try whatever it takes to move the needle!

The Senior Communications Advisor, will work closely with the Gladstone Communication Advisor and the central Brisbane Communication team to execute excellent communications in Gladstone, drawing on Rio Tinto’s global communication framework to support their efforts. They will be responsible for employee communication at Yarwun and BSL, work closely with site leaders and own the development and execution of internal communication plans while remaining tapped into the external Gladstone environment. Their role is a busy one so they should be results-driven and exceptional at prioritising.

The successful applicant will be comfortable engaging with a broad range of stakeholders. They will have keen intuition and a curious drive to visibly improve the experience for front line employees, building employee support for the operations at BSL and Yarwun, and broader business.

Accountabilities

Based in Gladstone and reporting to the Communications Manager, PacOps, the role has the following responsibilities:

• Lead communication activities for Rio Tinto in Gladstone with a focus on local operations - Boyne Smelter and Yarwun refinery.

• Work collaboratively with site leaders and employees as well as and Rio Tinto’s corporate functions to provide high-quality communication, aligned with Rio Tinto’s global communication framework.

• Work with the central Brisbane team and Gladstone Communication Advisor to develop and execute internal and external communication plans for BSL, Yarwun and Gladstone as a whole.

• Measure, learn from and regularly report on effectiveness of communication with a particular focus on improving information flow to and from the front line.

• Diagnose, manage and escalate issues – in line with Rio Tinto’s protocols.

• Contribute to the execution of Rio Tinto’s broader internal and external communications.

• Influence and where possible, coach site-based team members in best practice communication methods.

Critical experience

• At least 10 years’ experience in a communications role, preferably in the mining or manufacturing industry.

• A bachelor’s degree in communications or related discipline/field such as journalism, public relations or marketing.• Strategic communications mindset

• Video production experience – preferably in a mining or ‘high-vis’ environment.

• Strong writing and editing skills.

• Demonstrated creativity, initiative and curiosity. 

Where you’ll be working

Located in Central Queensland, approximately 10km north-west of Gladstone, Yarwun alumina refinery commenced operations in 2004. Processing bauxite from our mines in Weipa and Gove, Yarwun produces more than three million tonnes of smelter grade alumina annually. As one of the largest industries in the Gladstone region, Yarwun employs over 700 people and has a large contractor workforce.

With a focus on safely improving our process every day, the team at Yarwun challenge themselves to use existing and emerging technology to support our 24 hour operation.

Yarwun is a proud member of the Gladstone community, and along with Boyne Smelters Limited and Queensland Alumina Limited, support community investments that improve the liveability of the Gladstone region through the Here for Gladstone community fund.

About Rio TintoRio 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 can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.

Every Voice MattersAt Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.