Why explore
- An opportunity to work in a world-class organization
- Gain exposure across our global commercial and marine businesses
- Work in a collaborative and fast-paced environment
- Based in Singapore, a global commercial hub for Rio Tinto
About the role
We are looking for a Corporate Counsel - Commercial with significant expertise in shipping law, who will also support commodities sales and trading. This role is critical for providing legal advice and support to Rio Tinto’s shipping operations and commercial functions. You will work closely with our marine team, supporting global shipping activities, and advising on commodities matters in line with Rio Tinto’s objectives to provide the materials the world needs.
This role offers the opportunity to manage legal issues that arise in the intersection of global shipping and commodities trading. Working within the Commercial Legal team, you will:
Shipping & Commodities
Shipping Legal Support
- Lead negotiations and advise on shipping-related contracts, including charterparties (both time and voyage charters), contracts of affreightment, and shipping-related service agreements.
- Advise on laytime, demurrage, and freight disputes.
- Provide counsel on marine casualty events and incidents, including marine insurance claims, and liabilities.
- Manage and resolve marine disputes, such as cargo claims, charter party breaches, and arbitration/litigation in shipping matters.
- Ensure compliance with environmental regulations in shipping, including advising on decarbonization efforts, fuel compliance, and sustainability initiatives within Rio Tinto’s marine operations.
- Support vessel acquisition and sale & purchase transactions, including negotiation of shipbuilding contracts and associated financing.
- Handle regulatory compliance for shipping activities, ensuring Rio Tinto meets international and local shipping regulations.
Commodities Legal Support
- Negotiate and draft commodity sales contracts, working alongside the commodities team to address operational and trade issues.
- Provide advice on commodities-related disputes, including force majeure, sanctions, trade finance, and geopolitical risks affecting shipping and commodity transactions.
- Advise on letters of credit, bills of lading, and other documents integral to the commodities supply chain.
- Support digitalization, decarbonization, and integrated trading initiatives related to commodities trading, working closely with teams across Rio Tinto’s business.
General
- Provide timely and commercially pragmatic legal advice on shipping and commodity matters, balancing legal risk with business needs.
- Proactively manage the legal aspects of charter party disputes, cargo claims, and other operational risks arising from shipping and commodities transactions.
- Maintain awareness of developments in international shipping regulations and commodity trading laws, anticipating potential impacts on Rio Tinto’s business.
- Foster collaboration across Rio Tinto’s marine and trading teams, acting as legal contact for both shipping operations and commodity sales.
- Liaising with other members of Rio Tinto Legal, Ethics & Compliance, subject matter experts, and members of Rio Tinto’s commercial operations to promote and apply the best legal practices.
- Driving a culture of commercial entrepreneurialism whilst balancing risk for the business.
- Review and update standard terms and conditions, ensuring that shipping and commodity contracts comply with best practices and regulatory requirements.
- Manage external counsel, particularly in shipping arbitration, litigation, and commercial disputes.
About you
To be successfully considered for this role, you will have:
- At least 10+ years of post-qualification experience within a global corporation and/or major international law firm.
- Strong shipping law experience, including in charter party disputes, cargo claims, and marine insurance claims. Experience in corporate law will be viewed favorably.
- Good plain English drafting skills honed in a major law firm.
- Strong leadership, communication, and time management skills.
- A friendly and approachable manner with a demonstrated ability to develop strong commercial relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated leadership skills, as well as the capacity for strategic decision-making and managing portfolios independently.
- Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment with multiple stakeholders.
- Qualification under one or more of the laws of Singapore, England & Wales, or Australia,
It will also be beneficial if you have:
- Significant experience with commodity sales and trading in a major mining, oil and gas, or commodity trading company or commodities practice of a law firm.
