Technical Services Manager

Technical Services Manager

The Technical Services Manager is the senior leader responsible for all underground technical and engineering functions. This role provides strategic leadership, technical direction, and operational oversight across mine engineering, geology, planning, and related disciplines to ensure safe, efficient, and economically optimized operations.

The Technical Services Manager serves as the senior technical authority for Mine Engineering and Geology and works collaboratively across departments to deliver life-of-mine planning, resource and reserve development, and long-term mine optimization in alignment with corporate objectives.

Accountability:

The Technical Services Manager reports to the Operations Project Director and is accountable for all administrative, operational, and technical aspects of the Technical Services department.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Leadership & Safety

• Provide leadership, strategic direction, and accountability for all Technical Services functions

• Foster and maintain a strong Safety & Health culture, ensuring safety principles are embedded in all technical planning, design, and execution

• Optimize organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities to ensure efficiency, alignment, and high performance

• Lead, mentor, and develop engineering and geology staff, supporting technical excellence, succession planning, and professional growth

• Direct supervision of technical personnel and management of external consultants and contractors

Operational Support & Risk Management

• Oversee short-, medium-, and long-term mine planning, including life-of-mine (LOM) strategy and execution

• Manage day-to-day strategic direction of mine engineering, geology, hydrogeology, geotechnical, surveying, and paste backfill functions

• Oversee underground paste backfill design, planning, and performance to support ground control and production requirements

• Oversee mine design, production scheduling, equipment selection, productivity forecasting, and cost estimating across studies from pre-scoping through feasibility

• Review technical feasibility of proposed engineering solutions and personally support resolution of complex or high-risk technical challenges

• Incorporate, investigate, and implement industry best practices in mine design, scheduling, and alternate mining technologies

• Ensure mine plans are technically optimized, operationally achievable, and aligned with long-term business objectives

• Ensure long-term objectives are captured, prioritized, and reflected in monthly mine plans

• Perform other duties as assigned

Geology, Resource & Reserve Management

Provide senior leadership and technical authority over the Mine Geology function, ensuring geology fully supports mine planning, production, and strategic objectives

Oversee geological interpretation, data integrity, and geological modeling to ensure accurate and reliable inputs into engineering and operational decisions

Direct the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of resource and reserve models in compliance with NI 43-101 requirements

Lead and oversee grade control strategies, ore/waste classification, dilution management, and reconciliation processes

Oversee exploration, infill, and definition drilling programs, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, contractor management, QA/QC protocols, and data validation

Drive resource expansion and reserve conversion initiatives through targeted exploration and geological evaluation

Ensure reconciliation between geological models, production results, and metallurgical performance; identify variances and implement corrective actions

Integrate geological risk assessments into mine design, sequencing, and production planning

Maintain stewardship of geological databases, sampling protocols, assay QA/QC systems, and audit-ready documentation

Provide geological input into economic evaluations, feasibility studies, life-of-mine plans, and long-range development options

Communicate geological risks, opportunities, and mitigation strategies to Executive Management and key stakeholders

Drive collaboration across departments on:

Resource expansion planning

Life-of-mine cash flow projections

Continuous improvement initiatives

Ensure technical inputs support accurate forecasting of project performance against budget within a 0-24 month planning horizon

Operational Support & Risk Management

Support production and maintenance teams regarding environmental impacts, mining cycles, sequencing, design alternatives, management of change, and workforce engagement during design stages

Identify, assess, and communicate technical and geological risks and mitigation strategies to Executive Management

Ensure technical and geological considerations support safe, compliant, and efficient mining operations

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

Effectively communicate mine strategy, plans, and technical outcomes to internal and external stakeholders

Prepare and deliver clear technical presentations to executive leadership and cross-functional teams

Experience and Training:

The Technical Services Manager should have proficient knowledge in the following areas:

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

10-15 years of experience in the mining industry, with at least 5 years in a multi-functional leadership role

Proven experience in life-of-mine planning for large-scale mining operations

Strong proficiency with underground mine planning and design software

Experience in contract management, including implementation of cost controls

In-depth understanding of operations management, budgeting, and cash flow analysis

Strong working knowledge of:

Mining methods and design

Development, construction, and production operations

Financial, planning, and project management reporting

Knowledge and understanding of MSHA mine safety legislation and regulations

Strong understanding of both underground and open-pit mining practices, policies, procedures, and standards

Skills and Abilities:

The Technical Services Manager must demonstrate:

High level of accountability and ownership for departmental performance

Extensive cross-functional budgeting and financial planning expertise

Strong verbal, written, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills

Ability to work effectively and calmly in high-stress environments

Highly developed organizational and time-management skills

Self-motivation with the ability to work independently in a results-driven environment

Strong presentation skills for technical, professional, business, and community audiences

Proficiency in engineering systems, cost management, and productivity improvement initiatives