Mining and Metals - Associate Director

Client Industry: Mining & Metals 

Location: South Africa  

Division: Consulting  

Reports to: Director / Partner  

1. About EY (Background) 

At EY, our purpose is to build a better working world by helping clients create long-term value for people, business and society. We bring together exceptional talent and advanced technology to deliver innovative solutions across assurance, consulting, strategy, tax, and transactions. We are globally recognized for our deep sector expertise, digital capabilities, and commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce. 
Our Mining & Metals practice supports clients across the value chain, offering insights into operational excellence, digital transformation, sustainability, decarbonisation, workforce transformation, and regulatory compliance. [ey.com] 

2. Opportunity Overview (Aligned to EY’s Consulting Value Proposition) 

This opportunity sits within EY’s Consulting practice, specifically supporting our Mining & Metals clients undergoing transformation. The role leverages EY’s globally integrated expertise and digital leadership to help clients enhance productivity, improve risk management, embed sustainability, redesign operating models, and drive innovation. 
EY’s mining specialists focus on shaping sector strategies, identifying operational bottlenecks, and enabling technology-led growth—combining domain expertise with digital, data, and AI solutions to deliver measurable impact. [ey.com] 

3. Role Description 

In this role, you will serve as a strategic advisor to leading mining clients, supporting operational, digital, financial, and organisational transformation. Working within a global network of Mining & Metals specialists, the role requires strong sector knowledge, experience delivering complex programs, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams. 

You will guide clients on navigating a rapidly evolving sector—addressing modernisation, decarbonisation, workforce transformation, supply chain resilience, ESG reporting, asset optimisation, and digitalisation. You will also contribute to EY thought leadership, sector intelligence, and practice development while helping shape the Mining & Metals consulting agenda. 
[ey.com] 

4. Key Responsibilities 

• Lead complex mining sector consulting engagements, delivering strategic, operational, and digital transformation outcomes. 

• Provide subject matter guidance on mining value chain optimisation, capital projects, asset management, and operational excellence initiatives. 

• Advise clients on decarbonisation pathways, ESG strategy, and regulatory compliance emerging within the Mining & Metals landscape. 

• Oversee diagnostic assessments, operating model redesign, process optimisation, and technology enabled transformation (incl. data, AI, automation). 

• Build trusted client relationships with CSuite and senior executives within mining organisations. 

• Manage multidisciplinary teams, ensuring high-quality deliverables and coaching junior staff. 

• Develop proposals, thought leadership, and market insights to support practice growth. 

• Collaborate with global EY Mining & Metals leaders to bring best-in-class capabilities to African clients. 

5. Skills & Attributes 

• Strong leadership skills with ability to influence senior stakeholders. 

• Advanced problem-solving, analytical thinking, and commercial acumen. 

• Deep understanding of Mining & Metals operations and industry dynamics. 

• Ability to manage ambiguity and lead transformation programs. 

• Strong communication, facilitation, and presentation capabilities. 

• High integrity, inclusive leadership style, and commitment to EY values. 

6. Technical Requirements 

• 15+ years’ experience in the Mining & Metals sector, consulting, capital projects, digital transformation, or operational improvement. 

• Demonstrable experience in mining value chain optimisation, operational excellence, or major transformation programs. 

• Understanding of ESG reporting, sustainability frameworks, and decarbonisation strategies. 

• Experience with digital technologies relevant to mining (automation, analytics, AI/ML, IoT, mine to market integration). 

• Relevant tertiary qualification (Engineering, Geology, Mining, Business, Finance or similar). 

• Professional certifications (PMP, CIMA, CFA, Six Sigma, etc.) advantageous.