Principal External Affairs

Work Location: Fortescue’s Perth office is located on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people. Roster: Monday to Friday The Principal External Affairs – ACE is responsible for leading and coordinating Fortescue’s external engagement and regulatory strategy across government, industry, and community stakeholders. The position plays a critical role in aligning internal stakeholders, shaping policy and regulatory outcomes, and representing Fortescue. The role provides strategic advice to senior leadership, supports the Director Approvals, Community and Environment (ACE), and ensures that external affairs activities are aligned with the company’s operational, environmental, and social licence priorities. It requires a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, political dynamics, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on delivering outcomes that support Fortescue’s long-term business objectives. Key Responsibilities Lead the alignment of internal stakeholders within the ACE team and collaborate with the GSEA Government Relations function to develop and implement strategies for regulatory approvals Coordinate and execute external engagement strategies across government, industry, and community stakeholders, ensuring alignment with Fortescue’s operational, environmental, and approvals priorities Support the development and delivery of advocacy and positioning efforts with Local, State, and Federal governments, as well as industry bodies and key stakeholders in Australia and globally, to advance business objectives Provide specialist advice and operational support to the Director ACE on external engagements, policy, social licence risk, and strategic matters Represent Fortescue in external engagements, including with government agencies, industry organisations, and key networks, both domestically and internationally, as required Conduct policy analysis, stakeholder mapping, and advocacy planning to inform strategic decision-making Prepare high-quality submissions, briefing materials, and communications that clearly articulate Fortescue’s positions and commitments Offer timely, well-researched advice to senior leaders on political, regulatory, and policy developments Build and maintain constructive relationships with key government agencies, local authorities, and representative bodies Represent the ACE team in internal working groups and contribute to community engagement initiatives and partnership programs aligned with Fortescue’s values and sustainability goals Qualifications and Experience Tertiary qualifications in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Environmental Management, Communications, or a related field Minimum 7–10 years’ experience in government relations, regulatory affairs, public policy, or external engagement Demonstrated experience engaging with Local, State, and Federal government stakeholders, as well as industry bodies and community organisations Proven ability to develop and implement advocacy strategies and navigate complex regulatory environments Experience representing an organisation in high-level external forums, including government and industry engagements Strong understanding of regulatory and policy frameworks relevant to major projects and approvals. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality briefing materials, submissions, and strategic communications Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to assess political and regulatory risks and opportunities About Us Be part of something big. Fortescue is leading the world with our plan to decarbonise our iron ore operations, projects that harness renewable energy and the development of technology that will change our planet forever. Our Commitment Fortescue celebrates individual strengths and team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Our global workforce drives and promotes an inclusive culture, both within our organisation and throughout the communities we interact with. Diverse backgrounds include First Nations Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ community, gender, neurodiverse, cultural diversity, all age groups, and those with an intersectional or multiple diverse characteristics. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Internal Candidates / Current Contractors please apply via Success Factors Careers Portal. For further information on how to apply please visit the Fortescue Hub. Fortescue reserves the right to close applications early should a suitable pool of candidates be identified. Fortescue will never contact you to ask for payment of any kind, whether directly or through a third party. #J-18808-Ljbffr