Business Unit Manager

Company Profile:

Our Client is a prospect generation exploration company focused on the discovery of gold and copper deposits with exploration programs in some of the world’s most promising but under-explored frontier regions.  Our Client is aggressively adding high-quality properties to its exploration portfolio (currently over 100 properties in 11 countries) in the Western United States, Turkey, Sweden, Australia and Haiti; in addition to an expanding royalty and merchant banking portfolio. With $47 million in cash, the Company retains 83% of all of the capital it has ever raised since it was first publicly traded in December of 2003.

Summary:

• Acquire new exploration properties, get them joint ventured and advance exploration towards discovery within a given general geological area or for a specific commodity in support of the Company’s prospect generation business model.
• Build the Company’s portfolio of mineral properties, and to develop strategic alliances for generative exploration in a specific geographic area.

Responsibilities:

• Act semi-independently managing all functions of a business unit including the technical and administrative aspects of the business similar to the role of a regional vice president of exploration in a larger company or a president & chief executive of a small junior company. 
• Provide strong leadership and build an outstanding support team.  To recruit, retain and develop key personnel, provide guidance and support to the team, set and accomplish goals, keep staff challenged and technically capable, and develop succession plans for both the project and staff.
• Provide leadership and direction of the Company’s prospect generation business model in a given geographic/geological area including the design and development of generative exploration strategies and tactics.
• Seek partners as early as possible to advance exploration properties and prospects through joint ventures and similar earn-in agreements, and to fund strategic exploration alliances for generative exploration leveraging the Company’s unique in-region talent with an objective of growing the Business Unit to be cash flow positive within a target of three years.
• Select areas to be explored and assign personnel within approved budgets, and to execute those plans on a 100% Company basis or as the manager for a joint venture partner.
• Develop programs and budgets for the Business Unit and each exploration project, as well as tracking, accounting and reporting protocols working with the Company’s CFO and Team Leader – Generative Exploration.
• Ensure timely reporting of results to the Team Leader – Generative Exploration and preparation of reports required by government agencies, business partners and other stakeholders including agreements with local landholders.
• Participate in joint venture and property acquisition negotiations, and to interface with local, regional and national governmental authorities as needed.

• Identify and evaluate potential opportunities for Company investment or partnership working with the President of  the Company’s Capital Group, Business Unit Managers, and Team Leader – Generative Exploration to build the Company’s prospect generation and merchant banking businesses.
• Prepare marketing and prospectus materials for the properties and projects in the region including information appropriate for Company presentations to shareholders and other stakeholders including draft periodic news releases for Company review regarding significant results or progress from the Business Unit’s exploration programs.
• Conduct all work programs in a fashion consistent with Company’s values, and comply with all Company health, safety & loss prevention, environmental & social responsibility, employment, and ethics & business policies and guidelines.  This will also include compliance with IFC Equator principles.
• Perform other duties as directed and needed by Company in support of other business development opportunities elsewhere in the region and globally.

The above duties and responsibilities are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Working Conditions:

• Travel to mine and/or exploration sites is required.
• Conditions may be primitive and/or harsh at times.  (Primitive/Harsh = Surface or Underground environments, hot to extreme cold, desert or tropical rain forest to tundra conditions, remote field camps, high mountain terrain, steep rough terrain, long distance and/or time to advanced medical care.)
• Extended period from their home base maybe required.
• Must be able to drive a manual-speed, 4×4 vehicle and occasionally operate an all-terrain vehicle.

Qualifications:

• BSc required, MSc or PhD preferred in geosciences or related field with broad and varied experience, including supervisory responsibilities.
• Requires a minimum of 10 years of applicable experience preferably with senior exploration and/or project management experience in a greeenfield or brownfield environment.
• Substantial experience in the study, exploration, development or exploitation of gold and copper deposits is essential; experience in other commodities is a plus.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with an interest in and proven ability to interact constructively with exploration geologists, mining and exploration company managers & executives, and other stakeholders is essential.
• Role requires a self-starter, who has a proven track record of discovery and ability to be entrepreneurial and creative. 

CONTACT:
Robert Schultz – President, MRC Corp.
505.275.1234
Rschultz@MiningSearch.com

MRC – Executive Search for Mining Professionals