Directional Studies Manager en Alcoa

Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper, world-shaper.

As a leader within Alcoa, you can help fulfill our purpose and realise our vision to build a legacy of excellence for future generations. Be part of the team that is helping shape a better workplace with the flexibility and equal opportunities that help everyone thrive. You have the power to shape things and individuals to make them better.

About the Role

As the Regional Directional Studies Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our business. You will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and developing strategic options for Alcoa's future growth, sustainability, and improvement initiatives. This position is central to shaping investment decisions and unlocking long-term value from our resources.

In this role, you will lead and coordinate strategic studies related to regional business options, geological exploration, and mine development planning. You'll lead cross-functional study teams, including consultants and contractors, and manage studies from early-phase concepts to pre-feasibility. You will need to use a strong balance of technical acumen, commercial insight, and stakeholder engagement to navigate complex factors and ensure all viable options are assessed.

A key part of your role will be your ability to use conceptual thinking and an analytical mindset to clearly define complex problems and explore multiple solution pathways. You will be responsible for leading teams through ambiguity and competing priorities to ensure that study outcomes are robust and strategically sound.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead the analysis of options to determine which studies to advance; while also leading the development of early-phase studies to ensure they align with objectives, timelines, and budgets.

• Coordinate with various functions, including operations, geology, finance, and external partners, to align study milestones with broader business timelines.

• Ensure regulatory compliance for all study options and integrate safety and risk management, from hazard identification to risk assessments, into the study design from the very beginning.

• Lead cross-functional study teams, mentor junior staff, and develop tools to track study progress and budget adherence.

• Leverage strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse groups and synthesize their input into clear, cohesive recommendations.

• Focus on delivering actionable and realistic studies, ensuring that conceptual ideas can be practically implemented.

What’s on offer

• The opportunity to play a pivotal role in Alcoa’s growth and sustainability strategy.

• Work with diverse teams and stakeholders across continents.

• Attractive remuneration and variable bonus plan.

• Employee growth and development opportunities.

• Vehicle allowance and Superannuation above guaranteed rate.

• Connect and be part of a community that celebrates diversity through our employee inclusion groups.

What you can bring to the role

• A Tertiary Degree (e.g., a BSc) in Engineering, Geology, Mining, or a related field. A postgraduate degree (e.g., MBA, PhD, or a relevant Masters) is highly regarded.

• Proven experience in mining or study/project management, including the ability to manage both direct and indirect stakeholders.

• Demonstrated expert understanding of mining processes and risk management within a study coupled with proven experience in options analysis and the development of business cases that integrate both technical and commercial insights.

• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills, which allow you to work effectively with diverse teams and present findings to senior leadership.

• Previous experience delivering completed studies that inform the capital project pipeline.

Additional information

• Interviews may progress prior to the closing date, although all applications will be considered.

• You will only be contacted if you are shortlisted for an interview, this process can take up to four weeks from the closing date.

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About the Location

Alcoa Australia’s company headquarters is located at 235 St Georges Terrace in Perth CBD, Western Australia, on Whadjuk Noongar land. The office is conveniently close to public transport and parking, and hosts employees from various business functions, including Commercial, Finance, Sustainability, Communications, and Human Resources, as well as expert teams supporting local and global locations. Our head office offers modern, open-plan working facilities and excellent end-of-trip amenities within a state-of-the-art building.

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress.  Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.    

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career!  

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.