Specialist Planning (Heritage)

Rio Tinto

Posted on:  10th Sep 2026
  • Influence long-term heritage outcomes by coordinating Traditional Owner schedules, heritage planning activities and integrated land access priorities across various planning horizons. 

  • Build expertise across heritage management, stakeholder engagement, integrated scheduling and optimisation, & land access prioritisation to help future business decisions. 

  • Work closely with Traditional Owner Engagement Teams and wider planning functions to support meaningful engagement, informed trade-off decisions and sustainable heritage outcomes. 

We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other.

About the role 

We are looking for a Specialist Planning (Heritage) to coordinate heritage reviews and Integrated Heritage Management Planning activities, while supporting the management of the Traditional Owner Integrated Schedule (TOIS) and associated planning processes. 

You will provide technical heritage planning advice, coordinate planning inputs and support governance across IHMP, HMF and HMC process and integrate heritage requirements across schedules, annual plans and longer term planning. provide technical advice and planning support for heritage site disturbance activities, heritage management planning and integrated scheduling processes that support business priorities and Traditional Owner commitments.

What you'll be doing 

 Reporting to the Principal Planning & Scheduling, you will:

  • Provide heritage planning advice and coordinate heritage site disturbance risk assessments, reviews and planning inputs as part of the Integrated Heritage Management Planning (IHMP) process.

  • Maintain and coordinate Traditional Owner Integrated Schedules within TOIS & ISM which are aligned to operational, planning and fieldwork and engagement requirements. 

  • Develop & maintain heritage planning inputs across daily and short term scheduling, the 12-18mth Heritage annual plan, 5/10YR plans, approvals schedules and longer term heritage planning horizons. 

  • Undertake heritage reviews, including Impact Request requirements, Resource and Ore Reserves inputs, the reassessment of heritage sites in response to new information or updated guidelines and advice on review requirements and appropriate avoidance mechanisms.

  • Support Studies, RDMT, IS&P, and approvals processes by coordinating heritage inputs, review requirements and engagement commitments. 

  • Monitor schedule conformance to plan, data quality, assumptions, risks and constraints, identifying opportunities to improve  long-term planning outcomes. 

  • Partner with Traditional Owner engagement teams, planning functions and project stakeholders to align priorities and commitments.

  • Improve heritage planning standards, systems, processes, governance while building stakeholder understanding in IHMP, TOIS, ISM and associated heritage planning processes.

  • Coordinate the preparation & review of inputs in support of the Heritage Management Forum (HMF) and Heritage Management Committee (HMC)

About you 

We’re looking for someone whose experience aligns with the key requirements below. You do not need to meet every “Helpful for Success” item to apply - if you bring relevant experience and are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to submit an application. 

Required for Success 

  • A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team. 

  • Demonstrated experience in heritage planning, scheduling, heritage, land access, stakeholder engagement or a related discipline within a complex operational environment. 

  • Experience coordinating multiple priorities, schedules and stakeholders while maintaining accurate records, schedule logic and planning data. 

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholder groups and translate planning information into clear recommendations. 

  • Ability to analyse information, identify risks and information gaps, evaluate constraints and develop practical planning solutions. 

  • Experience using planning, scheduling or business systems and Microsoft Office applications to manage and report information. 

  • Ability to work across different planning horizons and connect strategic requirements with executable schedules.            

Helpful for Success 

  • Knowledge of heritage management, land access processes or Traditional Owner engagement frameworks. 

  • Experience supporting mine planning, studies, approvals, infrastructure planning or life-of-mine planning activities. 

  • Understanding of long-term planning, forecasting and integrated scheduling principles. 

  • Tertiary qualification in Planning, Geography Archaeology, Environmental Management, Heritage, Community Relations or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience. 

What we offer 

Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.

  • A work environment where safety is always the number one priority

  • A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto

  • A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program 

  • Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family               

  • Attractive share ownership plan

  • Company provided insurance cover

  • Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options

  • Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions 

  • Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support 

  • Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, personal & cultural leave)

  • Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)

  • Possible domestic relocation assistance 

Where you'll be working

Our modern office located in Central Park tower in Perth provide an inspiring environment for collaboration and professional growth. You'll be able to enjoy a range of benefits, including access to a modern gym, wellness programs, and convenient amenities that support a healthy work-life balance. Situated in the heart of Perth, we are close to public transport and several parking options.    

Applications for this role will close Monday 28th September 2026.

About Rio TintoRio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and InclusionAt Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTQ+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

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