Senior Advisor, HR Data Governance

Rio Tinto

Posted on:  24th Apr 2026
  • Join a high performing and caring team, committed to your growth and development

  • Work in a flexible work environment where we prioritise a healthy work/life balance

  • Permanent opportunity based in Brisbane & Perth

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.

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Advisor, Data Governance to help lift the quality, trust and usability of People data across the business. In this role, you’ll shape practical policies and processes across data quality, governance, compliance, ethics, access and privacy, and support the rollout of new People data governance tools and standards aligned with the Rio Tinto data governance program.

The People Data Governance portfolio is key to helping the People function become more data‑driven—enabling leaders to make better decisions using analytics, reporting and data science that translate information into clear, actionable insight.

You’ll partner closely with enterprise governance, Workday project data leads, GPOs, People Experience teams and functional HR representatives to share insights, align priorities, support governance forums, and build strong participation and buy‑in for data governance across the People function and organisational people leaders.

Reporting to the Manager HR Data Governance, your key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Help deliver the People data governance implementation plan, partnering with internal and external stakeholders and applying project and stakeholder management practices.

  • Champion HR data as a strategic business asset.

  • Develop and embed data governance artefacts (policies, standards, catalogue and definitions) with HR data owners and stewards.

  • Collaborate with enterprise governance, Workday project data leads, GPO leads, People Experience, Areas of Expertise and functional/business HR to share information and resources.

  • Drive communication and compliance with quality and governance standards, and support the regular Data Governance Authority forum.

  • Oversee data quality and lifecycle management, privacy and access controls, and governance metrics and performance reporting.

  • Deliver training and user support for data governance tools.

  • Identify, coordinate and engage data stewards and internal partners to deliver governance outcomes.

  • Build participation and buy‑in for data governance across the People function and organisational people leaders.

About you

As a successful candidate of this role, you will have a good understanding of data governance concepts and able to demonstrate excellent stakeholder, communication and project management expertise. As part of the HR data governance team, you will help develop and implement governance solutions and procedures. Experience in People Management and the Workday system would be advantageous.

  • Good understanding in the field of data governance.

  • Proven skills in the development of processes, policies and guidelines.

  • Proven Project management experience (waterfall or Agile).

  • Demonstrated experience partnering across the organisation and with external partners to deliver fit for purpose outcomes through teamwork and strong alignment on objectives.

  • Exceptional presentation, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills with demonstrated ability to communicate complex concepts to a diverse range of stakeholders & senior leaders

  • A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team

What we offer

Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.

  • A work environment where safety is always the number one priority

  • A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto

  • A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program

  • Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family

  • Attractive share ownership plan

  • Company provided insurance cover

  • Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options

  • Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions

  • Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support

  • Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)

  • Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)

  • Possible domestic relocation assistance

Where you will be working

This role can be based in Brisbane or Perth

The HR function supports 46 000 employees in around 36 countries and operates out of three business hubs in Brisbane, Perth and Montreal. Data science roles have diverse, multi-industry backgrounds and comprehensive skills in the fields of data modelling, engineering, and visualization as well as advanced analytics techniques including machine learning and optimisation. These skills are used to turn data into information that can be used to make improved decisions that generate competitive advantage for Rio Tinto.

Applications will close on Tuesday 5th of May 2026

#gts

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.

Respect and InclusionAt 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.

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