Lead a world class research facility servicing the mining industry in Chile and LATAM.

Residential in Santiago. 

 

• Unique Leadership Role
• Industry focused research across mining, processing, environment and social areas
• Live and work in one of the worlds most vibrant mining precincts.  

The Sustainable Minerals Institute – International Centre of Excellence in Chile (‘SMI-ICE-Chile’ or ‘The Centre’) set up some 10 years ago in Santiago. It is a global mining knowledge hub that generates human capital, produces cutting-edge research and performs effective technology transfer to industry.

The Executive Director – SMI-ICE-Chile is an executive management role based in Santiago. The role reports to the UQ JKTech CEO and works closely with the Director of the SMI and its research centres at UQ in Brisbane to provide SMI-ICE-Chile with strong leadership, research partnerships and management to support The Centre in achieving its strategic objectives and performance targets.

To be successful in this role you will be:  

• Fluent Spanish and English. Must be a resident in Chile and/or willing to move to Santiago on a residential basis.
• Comfortable acting as an ‘Hybrid‘ Academic – with appreciation of academia and the academic operating mode and with industry experience and connections. 
• Knowledgeable of The University of Queensland or other university, of complex research and development and applied research in the areas of sustainability and efficiency with respect to the role of the mining industry.
• From a research background and ideally hold a PhD in a relevant area. 
• Practical and inclusive with your management and leadership style and skills, with strong relationship management. Will also bring a strong record of partner, industry, and government engagement.
• Entrepreneurial and have proven business development skills, with demonstrable thought leadership capability in the core focus areas of The Centre. 
• Commercially astute with an ability to foster a cost focused culture and drive and grow the business.
• Highly developed with your written and verbal communication skills, with experience leading strategic communications, events, impact and translation initiatives, and activities that enhance organisational visibility and reputation.
• Consultative, collaborative, motivating and bring an influential manner.
• Able to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment

The Key Selection Criteria for the role will be:

Leadership

• Practical and inclusive management and leadership style and skills, with strong relationship management. Consultative, collaborative, motivating and influential manner.
• Experience working in diverse international contexts is essential, as the role requires a global perspective and the ability to operate effectively across cultures and organisational environments.
• Candidates must demonstrate substantial professional experience outside Chile to meet the strategic needs of the position.

 

Strategy

• Overall strategic leadership and management of SMI-ICE-Chile, including responsibility for external relationships, operational activities, financial control and driving research and development, consulting and professional development training success and future growth.
• Develop and implement the strategic plan for The Centre, in accordance with the entity’s governance structures.

 

Operations Management

• Manage and direct The Centre’s technical, commercial and administrative operations to achieve revenue, margin and performance targets.
• Oversee strategic, academic and operational planning, ensuring alignment with Centre priorities and governance requirements.

 

Academic & Research

• Provide academic leadership and maintain personal international academic standing, including the pursuit of excellence in research, scholarship and where applicable, teaching and professional development training.
• Foster collegial and collaborative research, supervision and researcher development and teaching and supports a service culture.
• Demonstrate an on-going contribution to shaping significant and strategic research agendas that yield new insights and opportunities. 
• Work closely and collaborate with SMI’s research centres and JKTech at The University of Queensland and local university and research partners to inform, frame and deliver research, solutions and training to the Chilean and broader regional industry and stakeholders.

 

Stakeholder and Partnership Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic partners, clients, industry organisations, government agencies and professional bodies.
• Represent The Centre to the University, including through appropriate committees, and ensure alignment and communication between The Centre and UQ leadership.

 

Community and Public Relations

• Work with the JKTech CEO and Director of SMI to manage public relations requirements of The Centre, and in accordance with the media and public relations guidelines of The University of Queensland.
• Ensuring that The Centre and its objectives, products and services are consistently presented in a strong and positive image.
• Partner, Government and Industry Engagement: Act as The Centre’s main operational contact for external partners while leading communications, events, and impact activities that align priorities and strengthen The Centre’s profile.

Funding & Commercial

• Develop a successful and profitable research, technical, commercial and innovation strategy and operating plan to ensure the long-term viability of a similar R&D-based facility or business, including consulting. 
• Bring a strong commercial focus through budgeting, corporate and project cost management and fiscal reporting processes. Oversee contracts and agreements to ensure compliance with legal, financial, IP, and reporting requirements.
• Financial Management and Contractual Oversight: Manage The Centre’s multi-year budget through forecasting, tracking contributions and expenditure, and advising leadership on financial strategy

Enquiries to Paul Howard on +61 8 9322 0847 quoting reference L52946

Applications to gd@gerard-daniels.com or by selecting the APPLY button on this ad quoting reference L52946