Head, Geotech Minin

The Opportunity
We are currently seeking a Head of Mining Geotech to join our Chief Technical Office (CTO) team in Toronto, Ontario. This is a permanent hybrid position and an existing position vacancy.

As the Head of Mining Geotech, you will serve as Vale Base Metals’ global technical authority for mining geotechnics, providing strategic leadership, governance, assurance, and risk stewardship across our operating assets, projects, and future growth opportunities. This highly visible role will shape the global geotechnical management framework for the business, ensuring that open pit, underground, and non-dam geotechnical risks are identified, understood, controlled, and continuously improved in alignment with our safety, sustainability, and operational excellence commitments.

Working closely with Base Metals senior leaders, operations, project teams, technical specialists, and external qualified professionals, you will lead the development and implementation of corporate geotechnical policies, standards, review processes, and assurance programs. You will influence life-of-mine planning, FEL studies, major capital decisions, due diligence activities, and the adoption of industry-leading practices that reduce exposure to critical geotechnical risks while strengthening the performance and resilience of our global mining portfolio.

This is an opportunity to lead at enterprise scale – connecting technical excellence with business strategy, risk management, governance, and people leadership. Your work will directly support Vale Base Metals’ commitment to Life Matters Most and responsible mining by helping our operations and projects make sound, risk-informed decisions that protect people, communities, assets, and the environment.

Additionally, in this position you will:
Lead the design, implementation, governance, and continuous improvement of the global Geotechnical Management Plan, Ground Control Management Plan, and related policies, standards, and frameworks for Vale Base Metals operations and projects.
Act as the second line of defense for geotechnical risks by providing independent assurance, technical governance, risk challenge, and strategic guidance to senior leadership, operations, and project teams.
Provide corporate technical authority and stewardship across open pit, underground, slope stability, ground control, geomechanics, drill and blast, backfill, and other non-dam geotechnical matters.
Establish, manage, and improve geotechnical assurance routines, including Geotechnical Review Boards, audits, independent reviews, critical control verification, performance evaluations, risk monitoring, and action tracking.
Partner with operations and project teams to review geotechnical inputs, performance reports, risk assessments, management plans, emergency preparedness plans, and technical documentation to ensure appropriate standards of care and governance are applied.
Influence life-of-mine planning, FEL 1/2/3 studies, capital projects, and due diligence activities by identifying geotechnical risks, evaluating controls, reviewing assumptions, and recommending practical mitigation strategies.
Develop and maintain a roster of qualified professionals, independent reviewers, consultants, and specialized geotechnical experts to support the business with fit-for-purpose technical capability.
Build and lead a global network of geotechnical professionals across Base Metals, creating work management routines that identify priorities, allocate resources, share leading practices, and deliver continuous improvement opportunities.
Lead or support investigations into significant geotechnical incidents, ensuring disciplined root cause analysis, lessons learned, corrective actions, and effective communication across the business.
Remain connected to emerging technologies, regulatory developments, industry practices, and incident learnings to ensure Vale Base Metals continues to evolve its geotechnical standards, systems, and risk management practices.

What We Offer You

Competitive compensation including a variable annual incentive plan
Participation in a competitive Defined Contribution Pension package
Comprehensive benefits package (company paid core coverage, flex health and dental coverage, flex accounts, disability plans and optional insurances)
Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation, personal, sick, parental)
Work culture dedicated to safety, diversity & inclusion, and career growth
Employee Family Assistance Program
Virtual Healthcare online
Online training and career development opportunities
Relocation Assistance
About You:
Education:

Undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation is preferred.

Experience:

Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in mining geotechnical engineering, geomechanics, ground control, open pit or underground mining, or related technical leadership roles.
Demonstrated experience leading geotechnical governance, assurance, risk management, standards, audits, independent reviews, or technical programs at a corporate, multi-site, or global scale.
Experience supporting operations, life-of-mine planning, capital projects, FEL studies, and/or due diligence activities is strongly preferred.
Skills:

Deep technical knowledge of geotechnical engineering practices, ground control management, slope stability, underground geotechnics, risk assessment, critical controls, and assurance processes.
Strong leadership capability with the ability to influence senior leaders, technical teams, operations, consultants, and external stakeholders in a complex, global environment.
Excellent business judgment and risk management skills, with the ability to translate technical information into clear recommendations and practical business decisions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise technical reports, executive-level materials, standards, procedures, and governance documentation.
A collaborative leadership style, strong coaching capability, and an established industry network are considered assets.