Senior Group-Level Appointment
THE APPOINTMENT
The Valcol Group is conducting a confidential executive search on behalf of a leading mining group seeking to appoint an accomplished Group Engineering Strategy Executive.
This is a senior appointment requiring 15–20 years of relevant professional experience, substantial mining-sector expertise, and the strategic capability to influence engineering standards, asset performance, and operational efficiency across the Group’s mining operations.
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership in mechanical engineering, asset management, equipment reliability, maintenance optimisation, and capital investment planning, ensuring that engineering strategies support the organisation’s broader business objectives.
THE ROLE
The appointee will provide strategic direction and technical leadership across the Group’s mechanical engineering function, working closely with senior management and operational leadership to strengthen engineering performance, manage technical risk and improve operational efficiency.
Key responsibilities will include:
Group Engineering Strategy: Develop and implement Group-wide mechanical/electrical engineering strategies aligned with operational objectives and long-term business plans.
Engineering Standards and Governance: Establish consistent engineering policies, technical standards, and maintenance frameworks across mining operations.
Asset Management and Reliability: Improve equipment availability, reliability, utilisation and lifecycle performance across mining fleets and processing facilities.
Maintenance Optimisation: Drive preventative and predictive maintenance strategies, reliability improvement, and continuous operational improvement.
Capital Investment Planning: Provide strategic input into equipment procurement, replacement programmes, major overhauls, and capital expenditure planning.
Operational Performance: Monitor engineering KPIs and implement initiatives to reduce downtime, improve productivity, and strengthen equipment performance.
Cost and Commercial Management: Optimise maintenance expenditure, equipment ownership costs, engineering resources and operating budgets.
Technical Advisory: Provide senior-level guidance on complex mechanical engineering challenges, engineering risk and technology improvements.
Safety and Compliance: Ensure engineering practices support statutory compliance, safe operating standards, and sound technical governance.
Leadership and Capability Development: Strengthen engineering management capability and promote consistent standards of engineering excellence throughout the Group.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be an accomplished mechanical or electrical engineering professional with 15–20 years of relevant experience, gained within the mining industry, including substantial senior management and strategic leadership exposure.
Candidates should demonstrate:
- A BSc Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or an equivalent recognised qualification.
- Significant experience in senior engineering, maintenance, reliability, or asset management positions.
Proven ability to develop and implement engineering strategies across multiple mining operations or a complex industrial environment. - Advanced technical knowledge of mining equipment, processing plant machinery, maintenance systems, and asset lifecycle management.
- A strong track record in improving equipment reliability, availability, operating efficiency, and maintenance cost performance.
- Experience in engineering governance, capital investment planning, technical risk management, and performance monitoring.
- Strong commercial acumen and the ability to translate engineering strategy into measurable business results.
- Excellent leadership, strategic decision-making, and stakeholder management capabilities.
A post qualifying MSc or a related discipline would be an advantage. An MBA and relevant professional engineering registration would also be advantageous.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This appointment offers an opportunity for a highly experienced engineering leader to shape Group-wide mechanical and electrical engineering strategy, strengthen technical standards and deliver measurable improvements in asset performance, planning and operational reliability, and cost efficiency.
The successful candidate will combine substantial technical expertise with strategic vision, commercial judgement, and the leadership capability to influence engineering performance across the Group’s mining operations.
APPLICATIONS
Interested and suitably qualified candidates are invited to submit a comprehensive CV detailing their qualifications, relevant experience and career achievements to Colin Roberts
All applications will be treated in strict confidence.