Field Operations Lead, Finland · KoBold Metals

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:02:46 GMT
Engineering

KoBold Metals · Sodankylä, Finland · onsite

About the Company

The mining industry has become increasingly challenging, requiring more capital to find new ore deposits. KoBold Metals builds AI models for mineral exploration and deploys them alongside novel sensors to guide decisions on its exploration programs.

About the Role

In the role of Field Operations Lead, you will plan and execute our field activities in Finland to meet our business objectives without causing harm to our people, contractors, and communities. You will report to our Field Operations Director North America & Europe and other members of the operations and exploration team.

Responsibilities

Plan and lead complex exploration projects and moderate-scale development programs in Finland, 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 Finland-based programs

Develop detailed project-level risk and hazard identification, risk assessments, mitigation plans, and critical control implementation, with particular attention to Finnish 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

Execute

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

Close

Lead site remediation and rehabilitation activities per Finnish 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 Finnish mining and environmental legislation (including the Mining Act 621/2011 and Environmental Protection Act), EU regulations, and the practices of our joint venture partners

Ensure execution is done within Finnish 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 Finnish stakeholders, including communities, landowners, municipal authorities, and environmental bodies

Process Improvement and Mentoring

Create ways of working that allow us to continue to work more effectively and to be nimble so that we can support machine-learning-driven dynamic field programs, where we adapt our plan based on the data we collect at each stage

Mentor Field Operations Supervisors: ensure field operations follows KoBold’s systems, practices, and leading industry standards

Qualifications

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 (tracks, pads, ice roads) 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 Finnish Lapland and other Nordic environments

A high degree of independence and the ability to work effectively with limited supervision

Must speak, read, and write in Finnish and English; additional language skills are of benefit

Valid First Aid Certification (Level 3 or Wilderness First Aid preferred)

Preferred

Recognized internally or externally as a subject matter expert in field operations across at least two operation types (e.g., drilling, EM surveys, civil works)

Material understanding of data science products (e.g., catchment analyses) and their appropriate uses in exploration

Experience with Finnish 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, including helicopter, weather, camps, chartered