Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Volunteer Activities
Timeline
Generic

Karen Heazlewood

Weipa,QLD

Summary

Experienced civil engineer with a background in mining operations, adept at capital planning and efficient delivery of minor projects. Known for exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills, refined through diverse practical experiences across various sites, roles, and organizations in the industry. Recently ventured into operational and business risk management, seeking avenues for growth and development in this field.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Capital and Risk Specialist

Rio Tinto
10.2023 - Current

Risk

  • Completed integration of the site risk profile with the site capital portfolio planning process to ensure alignment of project priorities with site risk profile and key business strategic objectives
  • Streamlined the quarterly risk review forum on site to ensure visibility of site key risks at the site manger and geneal manager level and support in rolling up the key messages for escalation to the product group level
  • Providing support to site operational teams in tracking, reviewing and updating risk information in the risk platform Archer,
  • Supporting risk owners through facilitation of risk reviews, assessments, evaluations and identifying quality actions and controls to enhance risk management effectiveness
  • Use of site risk profile KPIs to drive continuous improvement towards risk management practices on site through engagement and alignment with other site based risk coordinators.

Capital

  • As per job description for Capital Projects Superintendent

Capital Projects Superintendent

Rio Tinto
10.2018 - 10.2023

Capital Portfolio Planning and Management

  • Creation and maintenance of site capital project ideas register to capture and evaluate potential projects
  • Development of annual capital plan of AUD $200M and long term sustaining capital plan in collaboration with site and central teams to support Weipa operations
  • Facilitation of strategic project priotisaiton discussions to ensure alignment between the site sustaining capital allocation, operational priorities, strategy and risk
  • Engaged and liaised with diverse stakeholders, including operational sponsors, mine planning, asset management, and sustaining capital teams, to ensure project alignment with business strategy
  • Coordinated with central and site based project delivery teams to ensure effective project delivery plans and resources are in place for successful delivery of the annual capital plan

Portfolio Governance

  • Facilitated and coordinated the site weekly PIC (Project Implementation Committee) meetings, preparing portfolio summaries and opening presentations.
  • Tracked the execution of the annual capital plan, initiating portfolio balancing actions as necessary to maintain alignment with strategic objectives.

Leadership and Team Management

  • Led a team of professional site-based project engineers and project leaders overseeing the delivery of minor capital engineering projects through all project phases.
  • Guided and advised site-based operational leaders in delivery of capital projects, providing insights and direction for successful project outcomes.

Construction Superintendent

Rio Tinto
10.2022 - 10.2023
  • Led a team of 4 construction professionals to ensure successful delivery of planned capital projects.
  • Enhanced safety on job sites by conducting regular inspections and enforcing compliance with site HSEC requirements.
  • Scheduled and planned available construction lead resources to ensure suitable project construction expertise in the project execution phase.
  • Conducted weekly CRM audits and managed team activities to ensure project success.

Civil Project Engineer

Rio Tinto
12.2017 - 10.2018
  • Support of operational teams in definition of project scope and deliverables
  • Defined, scoped, planned and executed minor capital projects through all project phases from concept through to execution
  • Provided civil engineering support and advice to operational teams
  • Managed budgets effectively for multiple projects, ensuring financial targets were met.
  • Definition of project KPI measures and regular reporting

Civil Project Engineer

Glencore
10.2014 - 12.2017
  • Acted as the primary contact for MRM Tailings Dam operations, overseeing operational and strategic changes to align with best practices in upstream tailings dam management.
  • Engaged with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, for approvals and reporting, fostering improved relations through effective communication.
  • Managed significant projects such as tailings dam raises, engineering design studies, and environmental mitigation projects.
  • Implemented an independent review process and board to ensure best practices in tailings dam management, construction, and operations.
  • Led the development, implementation, and monitoring of construction management and QAQC systems to ensure compliance with engineering specifications during construction phases

Civil Engineer

Glencore
02.2009 - 05.2013
  • Conducted structural condition monitoring and offered engineering support across a number Glencore Zinc and Lead assets in Queensland
  • Identified opportunities for process enhancements and cost-saving measures, implementing projects to realize objectives.
  • Operational support in a shutdown environment through gas testing, safety spotting and HSEC compliance audits as well as overseeing shutdown activities and tracking when the Engineering Superintendent was absent.
  • Oversaw life cycle mechanical and structural projects with budgets ranging from 10k ro 3m with installation taking place in a brownfield environment
  • Designed small scale concrete projects and implemented process improvements

Education

Bachelor of Engineering - Civil And Infrastructure

RMIT University
Melbourne, VIC
11.2008

Skills

  • Risk Analysis
  • Business Case Evaluation
  • Data Evaluation
  • Governance and Compliance
  • Collaboration and Coordination
  • Capital Planning and Budgeting
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Project Management
  • Risk Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Team Leadership

Volunteer Activities

2022 to Present  - Weipa Gymnastic Club

Revitalized Weipa Gymnastics Club as President Between March 2022 and March 2023 - resurrecting it after a 5-year hiatus. Led stakeholder engagement, motivated volunteers, and executed business planning to successfully relaunch the club. Now volunteering as Vice President to sustain its operations from March 2023 to present 

2013 - Communidad Inti Wara Yassi

Wild Cat Walker in Bolivia - Conducted jungle walks with wild cats in challenging environments, ensuring safety and overcoming language barriers. Adapted to rustic living conditions without modern luxuries like electricity, phones, or hot water. Engaged in physical construction activities amidst the jungle. Thrived as part of a vibrant and fun global volunteer community

Timeline

Capital and Risk Specialist

Rio Tinto
10.2023 - Current

Construction Superintendent

Rio Tinto
10.2022 - 10.2023

Capital Projects Superintendent

Rio Tinto
10.2018 - 10.2023

Civil Project Engineer

Rio Tinto
12.2017 - 10.2018

Civil Project Engineer

Glencore
10.2014 - 12.2017

Civil Engineer

Glencore
02.2009 - 05.2013

Bachelor of Engineering - Civil And Infrastructure

RMIT University
Karen Heazlewood