Principal, Legal

South32 is a globally diversified metals and mining company. We produce bauxite, alumina, aluminium, energy and metallurgical coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead and zinc from operations in Australia, Southern Africa and South America. Our commodities can be found in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. We power our homes, start our cars, package our food and build our roads, bridges, skyscrapers and hospitals.

Following the acquisition of Arizona Mining, South32 is the new owner of the Hermosa Project, a high-grade zinc, lead and silver development option in Arizona.

South32’s purpose is to make a difference by developing natural resources, improving people’s lives now and for generations to come. We work closely with their host communities to create enduring social and economic value through local employment, infrastructure and facilities development and community investment programs.

The location of this role will be Tucson, Arizona USA.

The Role

The Principal, Legal will provide direct independent legal support and advice to South32’s Hermosa Project and South32’s North American interests (and other interests located in or around that region), including South32 Corporate functions with interaction with those projects and interests (hereafter “Client Group”). 

Accountabilities:

Include but are not limited to:

Core:

• Establishes and maintains relationships with Client Group to act as the key point of contact & provides advice on areas within the accountability of the Legal Operations team
• Ensures effective engagement with other South32 Legal sub-teams in accordance with the South32 Legal Terms of Reference
• Participates in and delivers on South32 Legal projects as required
• Assists in execution of activities to mitigate South32 Material Legal Risks
• Identifies legal risks affecting the Client Group and advises on the management of these risks
• Provides independent legal advice to Client Group on strategic and complex commercial or energy & resources dispute resolution.
• Manages scope, relationships, and delivery of work with external law firms

Governance, Analysis & Improvement and Planning:

• Assists with the development of the Legal Operations Plan consistent with the South32 Legal Business Plan and coordinates delivery against the South32 Legal Business Plan
• Provides input into the development and execution of analysis and improvement activities within the Legal Operations team
• Assist with the implementation of the South32 Legal governance requirements for their areas of accountability

Reporting:

• Supports regular reporting to Client Group to ensure Client Group is updated on material issues
• Provides input into reporting templates and requirements to support the Manager, Legal (Operations) and Head of Legal (Operations & Compliance).

Knowledge Management:

• Acts as a knowledge management champion

Qualifications, Skills, and Expertise:

• 8-12 years (PAE or PQE)

• Law degree from an accredited U.S. law school

• Currently legally qualified and practicing lawyer in the State of Arizona or having bar reciprocity with Arizona

• Excellent academic credentials, verbal and written communication skills, and information technology skills

• Ability to manage complex legal projects

• Communication: Fully developed verbal and written communication (crisp, confident, clear and succinct) with personnel at all levels (including senior management)

• Adaptable: Adaptable to and embraces change; works well with ambiguity.  A willingness to travel.

• High Performance: High achieving, motivated, positive outlook, enthusiastic and performance driven

• Step Up: Indicates a willingness to take responsibility and lead outcomes

• Team Player: Ability to work autonomously but also works effectively within a team and is a positive contributor to the team

• Leadership Capabilities: Demonstrates considerable progress towards developing South32 leadership capabilities and exhibits many behaviours on a consistent basis

• Languages:

  • English (required)

  • Spanish (preferable, but nt required)

• Extensive experience in a US Corporate in-house legal department, national Corporate law firm, or State or Federal agency, dealing with energy & resources, environment, litigation, procurement, construction, logistics and/or M&A matters.

• A strong understanding of Arizona and US Federal environmental permitting and processes (including EA / EIS processes) for energy or resources projects (whether new or expansion projects)

• A strong understanding of the US regulatory regimes (State and Federal) applicable to the energy & resources sector, including the ability to provide practical legal advice on the interpretation and application of those regimes

• Extensive contract drafting and negotiation experience, ideally with respect to construction and procurement matters

• Experience in obtaining, maintaining and defending regulatory approvals and permits for energy & resources projects

• Experience in engaging and liaising with State and Federal agencies

• Legal knowledge and experience in the following areas is preferred:

  • Logistics (port, rail and road transport) and infrastructure

  • Complex commercial transactions

  • Land acquisitins and access arrangements

  • Health and safety law and regulation, including incident response and investigation

  • Litigation experience on administrative law matters, complex commercial disputes and/or regulatory investigations

  • Mining tenure/claims and indigenous claims/rights

  • M&A experience, including crss-border transactions

  • U.S. anti-corruption law and regulation - including managing/training as part of internal compliance programs

  • Competition law and regulation

  • Farm-in o/ut exploration joint venture and associated activity experience

  • Community projects

Why choose us?

We are always seeking people who share our values to join our team. Our people are fundamental to our success. We’re focused on creating an inclusive workplace, with the right people in the right roles, who are engaged, empowered and appropriately rewarded.

We look forward to receiving your application and exploring this opportunity with you very soon.