Field Operations Lead

Field Operations Lead About the Company  In the coming decades, our world needs far more critical minerals including copper, lithium, and cobalt, to build electric infrastructure, vehicles, data centers, and electronics. The mining industry is making 10x fewer discoveries per dollar spent on exploration compared to 30 years ago because the easy-to-find, near surface deposits have largely been discovered. KoBold is the leading scientific mineral exploration, mine development, and technology development company. Our goal is to turn mineral exploration into a repeatable science to discover the minerals the world needs—by integrating artificial intelligence, human intelligence, and new technology. Our multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, engineers, and geologists work together to build data systems, design new sensors, and establish industry-leading workflows to develop and test subsurface predictions on our exploration projects. Our first discovery, Mingomba, is a high-grade copper deposit in Zambia, found after spending materially less than industry average. We are developing Mingomba with the same technical rigor that we apply to exploration. The Mingomba team brings together mine and processing engineers, geologists, data scientists, software engineers, and community, health & safety, construction, and operations specialists. By combining industry knowledge and cutting edge technology, we are developing Mingomba into a world class project that has safer and more predictable outcomes for ourselves, partners, and communities. It is expected to create thousands of good jobs for generations. KoBold runs exploration programs in eight countries, all with the potential for another discovery. KoBold is privately held; investors include institutional asset managers T. Rowe Price and Canada Pension Plan Investments; technology venture capitalists Andreessen Horowitz, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BOND Capital, Durable Capital, StepStone, and Standard Investments; and strategic natural resources companies BHP and Mitsubishi. About the Role In the role of Field Operations Lead, you will plan and execute our field activities across North America to meet our business objectives without causing harm to our people, our contractors and partners, or the communities and environments where we operate. You will report to our Field Operations Director North America & Europe and other members of the operations and exploration team. Your primary responsibility will be to serve as the leader of field operations for 1–3 projects per year across the United States and Canada. Responsibilities Plan Lead planning of complex exploration projects and moderate-scale development programs in North America, including drilling campaigns, electromagnetic surveys, and reconnaissance programs Lead 1–3 concurrent projects of varying size, complexity, and jurisdiction, with accountability for planning and execution Lead procurement strategies: contractor selection, bid evaluation, benchmarking, and contract administration for North America-based programs Develop detailed project-level risk and hazard identification, risk assessments, mitigation plans, and critical control implementation, with particular attention to seasonal and terrain-specific construction conditions across North American operating environments Lead project kick-offs with integrated teams and contractors, covering scope, execution strategy, and risk management Generate creative field operations scenarios outside conventional boundaries that lead to efficient programs Execute Lead end-to-end execution of assigned projects from mobilization through demobilization and closure Provide strong leadership during changing field conditions, including remote, seasonal, and extreme weather events across diverse North American geographies Track and forecast production rates, spend profiles, and resource requirements Manage and direct all field activities: lead contractor performance evaluation, feedback, and improvement Maintain daily contact with and monitor the status of KoBold personnel and contractors while in the field; maintain close communication with the Project Geologist, Project Data Scientist, and the Senior Project Planner Close Lead site remediation and rehabilitation activities per applicable federal, state/provincial, and local regulatory standards Lead contractor performance reviews and lessons learned to drive continuous improvement Compliance and Stakeholder Engagement Lead execution within regulatory compliance, monitoring, and reporting in accordance with applicable US federal and state or Canadian federal and provincial mining, environmental, and land use legislation, and the practices of our joint venture partners Ensure execution is done within applicable permitting processes, land access agreements, community relations, third-party agreements, and any joint venture requirements With leadership direction and support, represent KoBold Metals with local North American stakeholders, including communities, landowners, municipal authorities, Indigenous groups, and environmental bodies Qualifications Required At least 12 years of experience conducting field operations in mineral exploration and mining, oil and gas, or a related industry, with demonstrated progression in complexity and responsibility Advanced knowledge of construction methodology, including seasonal and terrain-specific construction (tracks, pads, access roads) relevant to North American operating environments Advanced understanding of helicopter-supported exploration, including utilization optimization and emergency response considerations Strong understanding of procurement processes: RFP development, bid evaluation, and contract administration Strong understanding of reclamation, rehabilitation and closure planning Demonstrated commitment to health and safety standards, including incident manageme