Tailings & Water Manager

Major Mining Operation US Southwest

A leading international mining organisation is seeking an experienced Tailings & Water Manager to oversee the safe, compliant, and effective management of a large-scale Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) and site-wide water systems. This is a senior leadership role requiring deep technical expertise, strong people management capability, and hands-on experience with upstream dam facilities.

The operation is a long-life open-pit mine with significant ongoing TSF construction, lift programs, and water management initiatives. This role provides the opportunity to influence long-term stability, operational performance, and risk governance across a high-profile mining asset.

• Competitive salary & performance bonus

• Long-term career progression within a global mining group

• 4-day work week

• Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life, disability)

• Retirement savings & share purchase programs

• Relocation assistance available

• Supportive, safety-driven culture with strong investment in people development

Tailings & Water Manager

As the Tailings & Water Manager, you will oversee all aspects of the site's TSF and water systems, ensuring safe operations, regulatory compliance, construction quality, and long-term performance. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, supervisors, and operators while working closely with the Engineer of Record (EoR), consultants, and internal leadership.

This role is ideal for a senior tailings professional with upstream dam experience, strong CQA oversight capability, and proven leadership skills.

Responsibilities

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of engineers, supervisors, and field technicians

• Create a strong culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement

• Conduct performance reviews, workforce planning, and succession development

Technical & Operational Oversight

• Oversee TSF design, construction, operation, maintenance, and surveillance

• Lead CQA oversight for embankment raises, upstream lifts, liners, drainage systems, and related civil works

• Manage monitoring programs, instrumentation, data review, and stability analysis

• Optimize tailings deposition planning, water balance, reclaim systems, and system efficiency

Upstream Dam Expertise

• Apply specialised knowledge of upstream TSF construction, risk management, and performance monitoring

• Lead stability assessments, surveillance programs, and risk-based reviews specific to upstream facilities

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Implement and maintain the site's Tailings Management System in alignment with global best practice (ICMM, MAC, GISTM, CDA)

• Manage internal inspections, external audits, EoR reviews, and regulatory interactions

• Lead Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs), dam safety protocols, and emergency preparedness

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee all technical reports, regulatory submissions, and governance documentation

• Develop and track KPIs, budgets, forecasts, and long-term tailings/water strategies

• Drive innovation in monitoring technology, automation, and operational excellence

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil, Geotechnical, Geological, or Mining Engineering

• 12+ years' experience in tailings, geotechnical engineering, or water management

• Strong QA/QC field oversight

• Direct experience with upstream dam TSFs (design, construction, operation, monitoring)

• Demonstrated people leadership and team development experience

• Strong understanding of TSF design, stability analysis, hydrology/hydrogeology, and water balance management

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and documentation skills

Preferred

• Experience with global tailings governance standards (GISTM, ICMM, CDA, MAC)

• Previous leadership role in large-scale TSF raise or expansion projects

• Experience in open-pit mining environments

• Familiarity with survey, instrumentation systems, and digital monitoring tools