Manager Human Rights & Social Performance, Operated Assets

About the Role

Leads a team responsible for BHP’s global approach to human rights and social performance across BHP’s operated assets, with a focus on communities, Indigenous Peoples, workforce, and ethical change and transition.   

This role is accountable for management and operations related to BHP Community and Indigenous Global Standards, related functional standards and procedures, the Human Rights, Community and Indigenous Peoples Assurance Program and related Social Value pillars. The role ensures that BHP’s operated assets meet internal standards and external expectations through robust second-line assurance, risk oversight, continuous improvement and embedment of social value principles. 

This role also partners directly with business and functional teams assets in MinAus, MinAm, Corporate Affairs, Legal, Global Sustainability and Social Value, Risk, Internal Audit to ensure BHP’s to embed human rights due diligence and assurance. Designed with the future in mind, the role will understand changing stakeholder expectations and priorities and identify high impact opportunties to stay abreast of these expectations and create social value that supports BHP’s business strategy. 

Leadership 

• Lead the global Human Rights and Social Performance team for BHP’s operated assets, overseeing strategic direction, day-to-day operations, budgeting, and talent development.
• Manage a team of subject matter experts delivering policy guidance, technical support, assurance, and due diligence across human rights and social performance.
• Set annual team priorities aligned with BHP’s purpose, strategy, and Social Value Framework.
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior executives and provide regular updates and recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team and Board Committees.
• Champion capability-building and a strong risk culture across Line 1 teams to ensure effective delivery of community engagement, Indigenous partnerships, social investment, and Social Value.
• Ensure strong collaboration across areas of shared risk between commercial, operated assets, growth and external affairs.  

Risk and Assurance

• Own and monitor critical controls for Human Rights and Community and Indigenous Peoples Group Risks.
• Prioritize second-line oversight and assurance for projects with a high likelihood to severely impact human rights of communities and Indigenous peoples.  
• Partner with Line 1 teams to identify, assess, and manage current and emerging risks.
• Build Line 1 capability to proactively manage human rights and social performance risks. 

Research 

• Oversee a coordinated global research program on human rights and social performance in collaboration with assets and functions.
• Advise on integration of research insights into operational and strategic planning. 

Reporting 

• Integrate all human rights and social performance data for annual reporting purposes, ensure data quality and contribute to BHP´s annual reports.  
• Responsible for internal reporting (SusCo, ELT, Annual Reporting, Risk & Audit Committee) on operational human rights and social performance matters.  
• Ensure alignment with key external frameworks and collaborate across teams to meet reporting expectations and assurance requirements. 

Culture and capability 

• Partner with business leaders to build knowledge, skills, and resourcing to manage social and reputational risks and deliver long-term social value. 

Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of BHP’s global strategy for human rights, community engagement, Indigenous Peoples, and social investment across current and future jurisdictions.
• Collaborate with asset and functional leaders to embed Social Value into business planning and execution, driving innovative approaches to stakeholder engagement and risk management.
• Ensure operational teams are equipped to implement strategy and deliver measurable impact.
• Monitor emerging legislation, trends, and stakeholder expectations to ensure BHP remains a leader in human rights and social performance. 

Policies and Frameworks 

• Ensure strong implementation of BHP’s Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples Policy Statements and associated global standards and procedures for operated assets.
• Define methodologies for human rights impact assessments, social risk assessments, and grievance management.
• Oversee the Human Rights, Community, and Indigenous Peoples Assurance Program, including internal metrics and external commitments.
• Support assets in assessing and enhancing Social Value outcomes. 
  Chair the Global Community of Practice for social performance practitioners. 

Stakeholder engagement and management 

• Design and oversee a consistent stakeholder engagement framework for operated assets and exploration sites.
• Oversee the effective use of stakeholder engagement and community complaints and grievance management systems and tools.
• When required, engage community stakeholders to validate and ensure compliance with BHP policies and standards.  
• Represent BHP in key international forums, including NGOs and industry working groups. 

About You

• Tertiary qualification in human rights, social science, politics, economics, law, international relations, sustainability, business or a related field.  
• Demonstrated ability to navigate sensitive socio-political contexts and embed social performance practices that support long-term value, regulatory compliance and social license to operate.  
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and reporting obligations related to human rights, community and Indigenous peoples. 
• Significant experience advising and influencing business leaders at executive group level and leading communications. 
• Operates with high autonomy, integrity, and discretion in managing sensitive matters. 
• Experience with third-party audit methodologies. 
• Familiarity with human rights due diligence and social risk tools (e.g., Verisk Maplecroft). 
• Demonstrated cross-cultural competence, with experience working in diverse cultural, geographic, and political contexts. 
• Experience in corporate policy design, development, advocacy and implementation