Principal Operations & Compliance Exploration

DISCOVER A BRIGHTER FUTURE 

At South32, we’re meeting the challenge of enabling a sustainable future through our focus on responsibly producing commodities critical for a low-carbon world.

As a collaborative, caring and inclusive company, there’s no better place to make a genuine difference. Together we’re making a positive, global impact that has the potential to change lives.

Whatever career path you choose, we’ll support you every step of the way to learn, grow and succeed. So join us, step towards a brighter future and leave your legacy.

WHAT SOUTH32 OFFERS

• 26 weeks full-paid, or 52 weeks half-paid parental leave for primary carers 
• Annual short-term incentive bonus that recognizes both your individual performance and the overall success of the business
• The opportunity to become a shareholder of South32 through our share plans
• Flexible work options include working from home, flexible hours & job sharing

ABOUT THE ROLE 

This permanent position will be based in Townsville or our corporate office in Perth. We understand and value the benefits of flexibility, and we operate a hybrid work model that enables a mix of in-office and remote work arrangements.

As a Principal Operations and Compliance Exploration, you will provide expert health, safety, community, and operational guidance to our Exploration team across Australia. You will ensure all field activities comply with South32 standards and protocols while supporting safe, effective exploration programs.

Reporting to the Manager Exploration Eastern & Central Australia, other key responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to: 

• Develop relationships with project teams and external partners. Ensure health, safety, and operational processes align with South32 standards. Support land access negotiations and facilitate required meetings.
• Create practical exploration plans including risk assessments, emergency response protocols and resource schedules. Provide hands-on assistance to field teams during program execution.
• Guide teams in effective risk management practices, manage incident investigations, and deliver targeted safety training to improve field operations and protect personnel.
• Maintain compliance with relevant legislation across jurisdictions. Monitor contractor performance, equipment maintenance schedules, and reporting systems while identifying practical improvements.

ABOUT YOU 

You will have experience and demonstrated capability in the following: 

• Demonstrate a genuine commitment to safety, environmental responsibility and community development. Apply this mindset to all aspects of field operations and team leadership.
• Develop trusted connections with diverse stakeholders, including exploration teams, regulators, landholders, Traditional Owners, and contractors. Use strong communication and negotiation skills to achieve positive outcomes.
• Create and deliver effective operational work plans regarding technical and compliance requirements. Effectively prioritise tasks while maintaining quality under deadline pressure.
• Navigate changing priorities in a fast-paced environment while providing clear direction to team members. Implement improvements with sensitivity to diverse business needs.
• Work independently to address challenges with sound judgment and a proactive approach. Maintain attention to detail even when managing multiple competing priorities.
• Previous work in project management, operational compliance, or resource sector roles is valuable. Experience supporting exploration teams will be highly regarded.

Qualifications for this position are: 

• Experience in operational management, HSEC compliance, and risk assessment within industrial or mining environments. Strong technical writing and auditing capabilities that support field operations and regulatory requirements.

South32 is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate.  We provide a recruitment process that is fair, equitable, and accessible to all, and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

This job advert will close on 1st May 2025