Career Pathways
Discover your roadmap to leadership in the mining industry.
Welcome to Career Pathways, your comprehensive guide to board and executive roles in the mining industry. Here, we explore the unique responsibilities, career trajectories, and essential skills for each leadership position, from Non-Executive Chair to Chief Financial Officer and beyond.
Whether you’re aspiring to join the boardroom or advancing within executive management, this resource is designed to help you understand the requirements and nuances of each role. Gain insights into the paths taken by industry leaders, explore the qualities and skills essential for success, and access downloadable guides that support your transition from management to leadership and, eventually, from leadership to governance.
Each profile and guide is crafted to help you strategically shape your career toward impactful, sustainable leadership in the mining sector. Dive in to discover how you can navigate your pathway to the top with confidence and purpose.
Position Descriptions
As the most senior executive of a company, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reports the Board of Directors and has ultimate responsibility for sustainable performance of the business.
The nature of the CEO’s role depends greatly on the nature of the business, but in general terms will involve:
- Formulating strategy and the business plan
- Building and leading a capable and cohesive senior leadership team
- Executing the company’s business plan through the senior leadership team
- Developing the company’s culture and setting high ethical standards
- Advancing the company’s interests among its key stakeholders
- Representing the company to investors and conducting capital raisings.
In Australia, the Chief Executive Officer is also called a Managing Director where they sit with stronger influence on the company’s listed board. In North America, the Chief Executive Officer may also hold the title of President.
Average Age: 53
Prior Pathways: Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Development Officer
Females: 9%
Typically one of the most senior executives of the company, the Chief Financial Officer (CEO) reports to the Chief Executive Officer:
- Formulating the business plan
- Supporting the Chief Executive Officer, and deputising where required
- Building and leading a capable and cohesive finance, accounting and commercial team.
- Oversight of company’s business plan, planned versus performance, with reporting up to the Board.
- Ensuring financial controls and sound commercials are cascaded down through the business
- Ensuring a sound and sustainable balance sheet, ensuring adequate debt/equity levels.
- Overseeing investor relations
In some jurisdictions, for example the United Kingdom, the Chief Financial Officer also has a direct report to the Board, and sometimes sits on the Board. This governance structure provides additional scrutiny of accounts.
Average age: 51
Previous experience: General Manager Finance, Financial Controller, Commercial Manager
Females: 12%
Career Path Insights
Navigating a career toward board and executive roles requires a blend of strategic vision, industry experience, and an understanding of what each leadership position demands. To help you on this journey, we’ve compiled insights into the key pathways in mining leadership. Each role profile provides you with:
- Role Overview: Understand the primary responsibilities, challenges, and impact areas unique to each position, from Chief Financial Officer to Chair of specialized committees.
- Prior Pathways: Discover the typical career routes taken by industry leaders to reach each role, giving you a clear view of how to leverage your current experience.
- Key Skills and Traits: Learn about the critical skills, attributes, and mindsets that distinguish high-performing executives and board members in the mining sector.
- Industry Demographics: Get insights into the evolving demographics and diversity within these roles, helping you visualize your own potential trajectory.
In addition, our downloadable resources provide deeper guidance on essential career shifts:
- From Management to Leadership: Learn how to transition from domain expertise to leading multidisciplinary teams effectively, including key competencies and character traits that drive executive success.
- From Leadership to Governance: Explore the governance skills and mindset that pave the way for a future in the boardroom, with practical tips on enhancing your influence at the highest level.
Whether you’re starting out, aiming for a senior executive position, or preparing for a board role, these insights offer a valuable roadmap to inform and inspire your journey.
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The pathway to executive leadership
Courses for your career pathway
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the best pathway to reach a board or leadership role in the mining industry?
Career pathways vary, but successful leaders often start in technical or management roles within mining and gradually broaden their expertise across functions. Gaining experience in finance, operations, or risk management can be especially beneficial. Our Career Pathways page provides detailed position profiles and career insights to help you plan a path suited to your goals.
2. How do I decide which executive role is the right fit for me?
Each executive role has unique responsibilities and requires distinct skills. Consider your strengths, interests, and prior experience, especially in cross-functional areas like operations, finance, or sustainability. Our role profiles outline the key attributes, qualifications, and experience needed for each position, so you can find the best match for your career aspirations.
3. Are there specific skills that help prepare for board roles in mining?
Yes, board roles require a mix of industry knowledge, strategic thinking, and governance skills. Many board members start by developing governance competencies, such as critical questioning, strategic oversight, and conflict resolution, while still in leadership roles. Review our downloadable guides on leadership to governance to explore skills that align with board responsibilities.
4. What kind of resources do you offer to support my career development?
We offer role profiles, position descriptions, and guides on transitioning from management to leadership and leadership to governance. You’ll also find downloadable articles and resources on topics like strategy, risk management, and people leadership to help you deepen your expertise and enhance your career readiness.
5. How can I make the most of my current role to prepare for future leadership?
Focus on building cross-functional knowledge, setting high standards, and developing strong people and communication skills. Seek out responsibilities that allow you to collaborate with other departments and build strategic thinking skills. Our Navigating Your Career section offers practical advice to help you maximize growth opportunities at each stage of your journey.
6. What resources are available for directors specifically?
For directors, we provide resources focused on governance best practices, industry challenges, and strategic oversight skills. Our Career Path Insights section includes director insights and interviews with seasoned board members to give you practical advice on addressing boardroom challenges and shaping sustainable growth.
7. How can I download the guides mentioned on this page?
Simply click the download link provided in each guide description to access our career development guides. Enter your email address to receive your free guide, along with additional resources that may benefit your career journey.
8. Who can I contact if I have further questions?
If you have additional questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out to us at help@resourcesleader.com. Our team is here to support your career development and provide guidance on available resources.