Field Operations Lead, Sweden

About the Role

In the role of Field Operations Lead, you will plan and execute field activities in Sweden to meet business objectives without causing harm to people, contractors, partners, or communities and environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning of complex exploration projects and moderate-scale development programs in Sweden, 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 Sweden-based programs.
• Develop detailed project-level risk and hazard identification, risk assessments, mitigation plans, and critical control implementation, with particular attention to Swedish winter construction conditions.
• Lead project kick-offs with integrated teams and contractors, covering scope, execution strategy, and risk management.
• Contribute collaboratively to data collection planning during Phase 4a of the Exploration Project Lifecycle.
• Generate creative field operations scenarios outside conventional boundaries that lead to efficient programs.
• Lead end-to-end execution of assigned projects from mobilization through demobilization and closure.
• Provide strong leadership during changing field conditions, including Arctic and sub-Arctic weather events.
• 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.
• Lead site remediation and rehabilitation activities per Swedish 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 Swedish mining and environmental legislation, EU regulations, and the practices of joint venture partners.
• Ensure execution is done within Swedish 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 Swedish stakeholders, including communities, landowners, municipal authorities, and environmental bodies.

Process Improvement and Mentoring

• Create ways of working that allow for continued effectiveness and nimbleness to support machine-learning-driven dynamic field programs.
• Mentor Field Operations Supervisors: ensure field operations follows KoBold's systems, practices, and leading industry standards.

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 winter and frozen-ground construction relevant to Nordic 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 rehabilitation and closure planning.
• Demonstrated commitment to health and safety standards, including incident management, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation and verification.
• Strong conceptual knowledge of all HSE, Land and Permitting, Legal, and Business Development systems as applied to exploration projects.
• Ability to manage and supervise KoBold staff and contractors on all aspects of field activities, including complex and higher-risk field programs.
• Ability to design complex field programs including scope, cost estimates, risk assessments, procurement, and project execution plans.
• Ability to prepare complete and accurate deliverables based on the Exploration Project Lifecycle and synthesize findings for integrated project teams and leadership.
• Ability to work in remote and isolated locations for extended periods of time, including Swedish Norrbotten and other Nordic environments.
• A high degree of independence and the ability to work effectively with limited supervision.
• Must speak, read, and write in Swedish and English; additional language skills are beneficial.
• Valid First Aid Certification (Level 3 or Wilderness First Aid preferred).

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized internally or externally as a subject matter expert in field operations across at least two operation types.
• Material understanding of data science products and their appropriate uses in exploration.
• Experience with Swedish and/or Nordic regulatory frameworks governing exploration operations.
• Experience working on projects with dedicated exploration teams including both Geologists and Data Scientists, demonstrating sustained partnership and effective interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Familiarity with project management principles and managing projects remotely across multiple jurisdictions.
• Experience with logistics tied to complex remote operations in cold-weather environments.
• Finnish or other Nordic language skills are an asset.

What We Value

• Sustained partnership with exploration teams, including both Geologists and Data Scientists, on one or more exploration projects.
• Effective communication with team members across Geology, Data Science, HSE, Aviation, Legal, Community Relations, and Land and Permitting.
• Perpetuating KoBold's ethical standards through actions and communication with others.
• Leading constructive field operational dialogue with colleagues.
• Receiving constructive and critical feedback well and providing constructive input and guidance to others.
• Recognizing and elevating the team's contributions, both in the field and to leadership.