Group Manager, Risk and Compliance

Derwent Search is delighted to partner with PLS Group and lead the search for this critical appointment.

PLS Group is one of Australia's most significant mining companies - the world's largest independently owned hard rock lithium producer and an ASX100 company with a market capitalisation of approximately A$14bn. From its flagship Pilgangoora Operation in the Pilbara, which supplies roughly 8% of global lithium demand, PLS operates across a growing international footprint spanning a downstream joint venture with POSCO in South Korea, and the Colina hard rock lithium project in Brazil, acquired in 2025. A Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant currently in commissioning at Pilgangoora signals the company's ambitions well beyond raw materials production. This is a genuinely exciting moment in PLS's evolution - a globally diversified business with real operational scale, active international expansion and clear strategic momentum.

PLS is executing a four-pillar strategy - Operate, Grow, Chemicals and Diversify - underpinned by a clear vision to be a leader in materials supporting the global energy transition. Its values of Safety First, Great People, We Deliver, One Team and Shaping Tomorrow speak to a culture that is performance-driven, people-focused and deeply committed to operating responsibly.

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer and delivering impact across senior levels of the organisation, the Group Manager Risk and Compliance owns the full risk and compliance agenda for the Group. The role advises the Executive Leadership Team, the Audit and Risk Committee and the Board, and champions risk culture across both corporate and operational teams. This extends to;

• Enterprise risk management framework design and continuous improvement,
• The internal assurance and audit function,
• The corporate insurance programme, and;
• A multi-jurisdictional compliance framework that must keep pace with PLS's expanding global footprint.

The successful candidate will bring significant, proven and progressive experience in enterprise risk management, compliance or related disciplines. They will be a highly effective leader and an exceptional advisor to key stakeholders, with outstanding influencing skills. The role requires an individual who has designed and embedded risk and compliance frameworks within complex, large-scale organisations, managed outsourced assurance models and demonstrated the executive presence to present confidently to Boards and Audit and Risk Committees.

Commercially astute and genuinely business-partnering in approach, the successful candidate will balance rigour with pragmatism. A tertiary qualification in Finance, Commerce, Engineering or Law is essential; post-graduate qualifications in Risk Management or CPRM certification are advantageous. A background in resources, energy, construction or related industries is important and experience managing compliance obligations across multiple international jurisdictions will be highly regarded.

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape a critical function during a defining period in the company's growth.

To explore this opportunity in confidence, please contact Mike O’Sullivan at Sign in to view email referencing job number #34561.