Strategic Director - Mining, Infrastructure and agriculture

Permanent, Full-time

Salary £85,000 - £110,000

In this senior level role, you will lead our work with leading mining companies, industry organisations and finance institutions in the integration of nature into decision-making and to grow our work across this sector. You will be playing a crucial part in shaping the future of nature sustainability for the mining sector. The role will also involve working across a broader range of sectors including linear infrastructure, ports and agriculture through the application of lender safeguards, notably the International Finance Corporation's Performance Standard 6.

As Strategic Director you will oversee key projects and client relationships, lead the expansion of our portfolio of market-leading clients and work with our technical experts to respond to market needs through innovative solutions for corporate action on nature for the mining sector. This might, at times, involve more direct project management and delivery, especially of more technically challenging projects. The role will involve line management of a small number of senior consultants.

The Biodiversity Consultancy's mission is to integrate nature into business and finance decision-making through science-based approaches. Your work will include collaborating with industry bodies, sustainability initiatives, academia and civil society to share experiences, build capacity and strategies that redirect financial flows from destructive practices to the protection and restoration of nature.

Responsibilities

Strategy and business development

• Lead our work with the mining sector
• Accountable for developing and overseeing implementation of TBC's Mining, Infrastructure & Agriculture strategy and plan to achieve our mission and financial target.
• Expand the business through networking, engaging with global business forums, working with new and existing clients, bidding and winning work.

Management and leadership

• A member of the TBC management team with shared responsibility for operational management and decision-making within the organization. The management team is responsible for continuous improvement of our work, driving innovation and strategy implementation.
• Management and mentoring of the TBC mining team of consultants, supporting technical design of projects and providing critical review, overseeing resources, performance management, and supporting professional development.
• Identification of team resourcing needs and leading the recruitment and selection of staff and contractors with support from the HR team.
• Contributing to TBC's broader capacity building strategy by supporting internships, placements and training.
• Provision of technical leadership in specific sectoral or thematic areas.
• Represent the Mining, Infrastructure & Agriculture team to senior management.

Project delivery

• Oversight and technical support for large, complex projects with a focus on mining, infrastructure, and agriculture. This accountability includes overseeing timely, on-budget delivery of projects to the requisite level of quality and technical substance.

Projects may include:

• Undertaking assessments to understand site level project risks and impacts and identifying opportunities for mitigation including offset.
• Environmental and Social Due Diligence of large, complex projects across mining, infrastructure, and agriculture sectors.
• Undertaking assessments to identify portfolio level risks, impacts and dependencies on nature and preparation of strategies to mitigate risks and optimise opportunities.
• Interpretation and application of a range of frameworks and business drivers, including global goals, corporate policy, evolving supply-chain customer expectations and financial lending criteria.
• Other duties commensurate with the role.

Innovation and communication

• Partner with our technical research and development team to develop approaches, metrics and tools for assessing and mitigating biodiversity impacts of complex, large-scale projects in areas of sensitive biodiversity in emerging economies.
• Keeping abreast of current nature-related issues for international business and development projects, such as SBTN, TNFD, CSRD.
• Develop and innovate new nature positive approaches and strategies for mining, infrastructure, and agriculture companies.
• Public speaking on behalf of TBC, including writing, reviewing and delivering webinars and in-person presentations to elevate our visibility as a trusted brand for the mining sector.
• Writing and reviewing material for scientific and business press, the website and publications.

Essential Attributes

• At least 15 years' experience in development projects with a focus on mining and alignment with good industry practice.
• Experience or in-depth working knowledge of project and portfolio level approaches to assessing risks and impacts and preparation in strategies to mitigate risks and optimise opportunities.
• Experience of creating and directing work programmes and developing and implementing strategy.
• Inspirational team leader and experienced people manager.
• Proven track record of business development and client relationship management.
• Substantial experience of complex project management and project accountability experience.
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, workshops and writing.
• Ability to provide intellectual leadership, creativity and simplicity to problem solving.
• Willingness and enthusiasm to travel globally when necessary.
• At least an honours degree in a relevant subject.
• Ability to work in a diverse cultural environment.

Desirable attributes

• Background or experience in business and biodiversity and wider nature-related issues, with a focus on emerging economies.
• Experience or in-depth working knowledge of emerging good practice approaches in managing nature impacts & dependencies and on sustainability disclosures frameworks (SBTN, CSRD, TNFD, etc.).
• Excellent network in the mining and business sustainability sector.
• A postgraduate qualification or a PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Experience working in Africa, Latin America, or Asia.
• Experience of engaging with a diversity of local and international stakeholders, ability to work with diplomacy to understand divergent perspectives on business and conservation.
• Proven ability to work in French, Spanish, or other languages.

Department: Sustainable Infrastructure - Mining
Role: Strategic Director
Locations: Cambridge
Remote status: Hybrid
Closing date: 28 February, 2025