Project Manager - Dam & Tailings

Job Title: Project Manager, Mining
Location: Alaska, USA (Travel Required)
Employment Type: Full-Time Permanent
EPCM Dams & Tailings Project Manager

The Project Manager is responsible for the integrated execution of engineering, procurement, construction management, and commissioning activities for the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), water retention structures, and associated hydraulic infrastructure for the Donlin Gold Project.   Provide leadership and oversight across all technical and commercial disciplines supporting dam and tailings-related infrastructure to ensure alignment between project scope, cost, schedule, quality, and risk management objectives.

Accountable for delivery of project outcomes through the EPCm contractor while maintaining owner’s team governance and ensuring compliance with corporate standards, environmental commitments, permitting requirements, and regulatory obligations, including those associated with the Alaska Dam Safety Program. The EPCm Dams and Tailings Project Manager serves as a key execution and technical interface between Donlin Gold leadership, EPCm partners, the Engineer of Record (EoR), Independent Review Boards (IRB), regulatory authorities, and joint venture stakeholders throughout the lifecycle of tailings and water management infrastructure.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership and oversight of EPCm contractor performance across engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, and readiness activities for TSF and associated water management infrastructure.
• Establish and maintain execution strategies aligned with Owner’s Requirements, permitting commitments, and JV governance expectations for dams and tailings facilities.
• Direct integration of project controls including cost management, scheduling, forecasting, progress measurement, and performance reporting.
• Oversee development and implementation of Project Execution Plans (PEP), construction work packages, and contracting strategies related to TSF and dam infrastructure.
• Ensure engineering deliverables meet technical, regulatory, geotechnical, and constructability requirements through formal design reviews and stage-gate processes.
• Coordinate closely with the Engineer of Record (EoR) to ensure design intent is maintained throughout construction and commissioning phases.
• Manage procurement strategies including long-lead equipment planning, vendor prequalification, bid evaluation, contract award, and supply chain logistics for remote site delivery.
• Coordinate construction management planning including seasonal execution strategies, workforce planning, site mobilization, and logistics integration for TSF development.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES EXTENDED..

• Partner with HSE, Environmental, and Permitting teams to ensure TSF and dam-related infrastructure complies with regulatory approvals and environmental commitments.
• Support Independent Review Board (IRB) engagement and regulatory technical reviews related to tailings, dams, embankments, and water containment systems.
• Oversee implementation of instrumentation and monitoring systems for dam and TSF performance during construction and commissioning.
• Ensure development of construction quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes aligned with TSF and dam safety requirements.
• Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and resolution of execution challenges impacting cost, schedule, or scope.
• Support development of operational readiness strategies including OMS (Operations, Maintenance, and Surveillance) requirements for TSF infrastructure.
• Provide regular performance reporting to Project Director, JV partners, and executive leadership.
• Ensure adherence to commercial governance, contract compliance, and change management protocols.
• Facilitate coordination between Owner’s team, EPCm contractor, engineering consultants, and regulatory bodies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to project execution efficiency and contractor performance.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in; Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical discipline required.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience managing large-scale capital projects involving dams, TSF infrastructure, or hydraulic structures.
• Demonstrated experience leading EPC or EPCm execution for water retention, embankment, or tailings storage facilities.
• Experience interfacing with regulatory agencies, independent review panels, and environmental permitting authorities.
• Experience working in remote, logistically complex, or cold-climate construction environments preferred.
• Strong understanding of project controls methodologies including earned value management (EVM).
• Experience managing contractor performance within EPCm delivery models.
• Familiarity with tailings storage facilities (TSF), water management infrastructure, and dam safety monitoring systems preferred.
• Working knowledge of commercial contracting frameworks and change management processes.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE (PREFERRED):

• Professional Engineering (P.Eng) designation or equivalent registration preferred.
• Experience applying CDA, ICOLD, or GISTM-aligned dam safety and tailings management standards highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high‑risk geotechnical and hydraulic structures within stringent regulatory and safety frameworks.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams in a matrixed project environment.
• Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders including EPCm contractors, EoR, and JV partners.
• Strong decision-making capability in complex and fast-paced project settings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present to senior leadership and governance bodies.
• Strong capability to translate complex technical risks into clear options and recommendations for executives, regulators, and JV partners.
• Ability to navigate competing technical, commercial, and regulatory priorities while maintaining dam safety and project controls integrity.

This is an excellent opportunity to become part of an exciting and fast growing company who is driving forward increasingly specialized and innovative solutions in the Mining industry. Candidates must have authorization to work in the US without ongoing sponsorship or a visa. The successful applicant will receive competitive base salary, an annual bonus, and comprehensive benefits including medical coverage, 401K match, holidays/ PTO, and more. For more information on this opportunity or others, please contact: Christopher Moore                         Christopher.moore@nesfircroft.com

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.