Vice President, Sustainability

Duration: 12-18 months (possibility of permanent)

Hybrid

Position Summary

The Vice President, Sustainability will lead the organization's sustainability, environmental, permitting, Indigenous relations, community engagement, and ESG strategy functions. This executive leadership role will play a critical part in advancing major mining and resource development projects from development and permitting through financing, construction readiness, and operational transition

The successful candidate will serve as a strategic business partner to the executive team, responsible for balancing environmental stewardship, stakeholder relations, regulatory compliance, project development objectives, and long-term value creation.

Key Responsibilities

Sustainability & ESG Leadership

• Develop and execute enterprise-wide sustainability and ESG strategies.
• Establish governance frameworks, policies, standards, and reporting processes.
• Ensure sustainability initiatives support corporate objectives, financing requirements, and stakeholder expectations.
• Lead ESG disclosures and sustainability reporting initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement in ESG performance and risk management.

Permitting & Regulatory Leadership

• Lead environmental assessment, permitting, and regulatory approval strategies.
• Manage relationships with federal, provincial, and regulatory agencies.
• Anticipate regulatory risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Ensure environmental compliance and successful progression through project development milestones.
• Align permitting activities with engineering, project controls, and development schedules
• Lead Indigenous engagement strategies and relationship development initiatives.
• Support the negotiation and implementation of partnership agreements and community development frameworks.
• Foster meaningful consultation and engagement with communities and stakeholders.
• Develop programs that support community participation, workforce development, and long-term partnerships.
• Ensure social responsibility considerations are integrated into project planning and execution

Project Development & Construction Support

• Support projects through development, permitting, financing, construction, and operational readiness phases.
• Ensure sustainability requirements are embedded into project planning and execution.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, construction, finance, and corporate development teams.
• Contribute to project controls, scheduling, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management activities.
• Review and challenge project plans to ensure sustainability commitments are achievable and aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee environmental monitoring, baseline studies, and mitigation programs.
• Lead initiatives related to water management, land stewardship, biodiversity, and closure planning.
• Ensure environmental considerations are integrated into project design and operational planning.
• Maintain compliance with environmental regulations and industry best practices.

Project Finance & Investor Support

• Support financing initiatives by ensuring environmental and social requirements meet lender and investor expectations.
• Contribute to financing processes involving ESG due diligence and sustainability disclosures.
• Support alignment with frameworks such as IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles.
• Present ESG strategies and sustainability performance to leadership, investors, lenders, and external stakeholders.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, coach, and mentor a growing sustainability team.
• Build organizational capabilities, processes, and performance standards.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Develop succession plans and talent development strategies.
• Work closely with executive leadership to support organizational growth and transformation

Qualifications/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Engineering, Sustainability, Law, Public Policy, Business, or a related field.
• Advanced degree (Master's or MBA) considered an asset.
• Relevant professional designation (P.Eng., R.P.Bio.) or certifications (PMP, AACE, or equivalent) are assets

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience in mining, natural resources, infrastructure, energy, or major project development environments.
• Significant experience leading sustainability, environmental, or community relations functions (ESG).
• Demonstrated success advancing large-scale projects through development, permitting, financing, construction, and operational stages.
• Experience building and developing teams.
• Strong track record working with executive leadership teams and boards.
• Experience within Canada and mining project development environments strongly preferred.
• Exposure to critical minerals, base metals, or large industrial projects is preferred.
• Experience dealing with IBAs
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Experience with planning software such as Oracle Primavera P6 or similar
• Strategic Sustainability Leadership
• ESG Governance and Reporting
• Environmental Permitting and Regulatory Compliance
• Indigenous and Community Engagement
• Project Planning, Budgeting, and Cost Control
• Cross-Functional Integration
• Team Building and Mentorship
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation
• Executive Communication and Influence
• Change Management and Organizational Development
• Travel to project sites and stakeholder meetings expected, generally on a quarterly basis or as project needs require.
• Periodic travel during permitting, consultation, financing, and construction activities