Overview
An international mining group is appointing a VP Operations LATAM to lead a long life operation in Latin America operating within a joint venture structure.
This is a demanding senior leadership role in a complex operating environment. The mandate is not transformation theatre or short term optimisation. The mandate is safe, stable, disciplined execution in a tough operational and stakeholder context.
The successful individual will be a proven operator with the judgement, resilience, and communication capability to lead through constraint, complexity, and ambiguity.
Role Accountabilities
- Full accountability for country and site operations including production, maintenance, safety, and people leadership
- Leadership of a large local workforce in a challenging operating environment
- Oversight of operations within a joint venture framework, balancing partner alignment with performance discipline
- Active engagement with government, regulators, unions, and external stakeholders
- Embedding a strong safety culture and operational reliability mindset
- Driving consistency, structure, and accountability across the operation
- Acting as the senior operational representative with corporate leadership
Operating Context
- This is a tough operation by design and reality. Infrastructure constraints, legacy systems, external dependencies, and stakeholder complexity are part of day to day decision making.
- Success in this role requires calm authority, strong judgement, and the ability to operate effectively without escalation or disengagement. Time on site is essential and expected.
Candidate Profile
- Senior operational leader from mining, processing, or heavy industrial environments
- Demonstrated experience operating within joint venture or state influenced structures
- Track record leading large teams in emerging or regulated jurisdictions
- Strong safety, maintenance, and reliability orientation
- High resilience and tolerance for operational friction
- Low ego, execution focused leadership style
Language and Communication
- Fluent Spanish is essential
- Strong professional English required
- Exceptional communication capability across frontline teams, JV partners, and senior stakeholders
- Ability to build trust, maintain alignment, and manage tension constructively
Additional Guidance
- This role will suit operators who value responsibility, credibility, and long term impact over visibility or title progression. It will not suit candidates seeking rapid transformation mandates or light touch leadership models.
- Compensation will be competitive and structured for senior international operators. Relocation or rotational arrangements may be considered depending on profile.
