Location: DarwinStatus: Fixed Term (3 year)Are you a seasoned legal professional ready to take the lead on some of Australia’s most important and complex Aboriginal land use matters?About the Role:The Northern Land Council (NLC) is seeking a dynamic Legal Practice Manager to lead our Land Rights legal practice. In this influential and rewarding leadership role, you will oversee a dedicated legal team working under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth) to activate, protect, and advance the rights and interests of Aboriginal traditional owners. This is a rare opportunity to engage with projects of economic and social significance across the top half of the Northern Territory, building lasting relationships with Traditional Owners and supporting self-determination in the NLC region. About You:You are an experienced legal practice manager with extensive experience in land rights and/or native title, contract drafting, people management, stakeholder engagement, and work health and safety. Your ability to navigate complex organisational structures and functions, build strong teams, and deliver projects in busy multi-disciplinary teams will be key to ensuring the success of your team. With lived experienced and deep cultural understanding of the regions NLC serves, you will bring influence, credibility, and a commitment to empowering Aboriginal communities and people. You will play a pivotal role in strengthening the NLC’s regional teams, building their capability, improving service delivery and ensuring operations align with our Regional Development priorities as articulated in the NLC Strategic and Corporate Plan.What you will also have:A Bachelor of Laws (or equivalent) and admission to legal practice in Australia.Minimum 5+ years post-admission experience, predominantly in relevant areas such as contract, land tenure, construction or major projects, corporate and commercial or environment and planning law Minimum of two (2 years) experience in the management and development of a teamComprehensive understanding of land rights, native title and other laws affecting the NLC and its constituent.Current C Class Drivers Licence and the ability and willingness to undertake regular remote travel in a manual 4WD vehicle or light aircraft. For a full copy of the Position Description refer to the link provided below.What’s in it for you?As part of the NLC, you’ll enjoy a diverse, dedicated, supportive and inclusive workplace committed to professional growth, cultural respect, and work-life balance. In this role, you’ll gain hands-on experience and develop your negotiation and problem-solving skills in a variety of areas, with exposure to some of the NT’s most interesting traditional and new industries. The NLC offers competitive benefits and the fulfillment that comes with contributing to projects that matter.We offer: Annual Salary: base $160K plus 15% Superannuation (Negotiable)Salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900 and additional Meal/Entertainment fringe benefitsGenerous leave entitlements such as 5 weeks annual leave, 18 days personal leave per annum, and paid Christmas shut down.To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter outlining why you are interested in this position and what relevant skills and experience you would bring to the role. If you have any further queries please contact: Principal Legal Officer (Acting) John Bacon 0498 881 195Applications Close: Tuesday 1 July 2025 – or contact us by this date to discuss making a late application.About the NLC The Northern Land Council (NLC) is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth. The NLC is established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth) for the purpose of serving its constituents - Traditional Owners (TOs) and other Aboriginal people living in its region in relation to lands and waters.   We are committed to enhancing Aboriginal people’s social, political and economic outcomes according to their own aspirations and amplifying their voices on issues impacting their lands, seas, cultures and communities. For more information please see www.nlc.org.au .Legal Practice Manager Regional PD AUD Darwin 0800

Legal Practice Manager Regional

  • Location: Darwin
  • Status: Fixed Term (3 year)

Are you a seasoned legal professional ready to take the lead on some of Australia’s most important and complex Aboriginal land use matters?

About the Role:

The Northern Land Council (NLC) is seeking a dynamic Legal Practice Manager to lead our Land Rights legal practice. In this influential and rewarding leadership role, you will oversee a dedicated legal team working under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth) to activate, protect, and advance the rights and interests of Aboriginal traditional owners. This is a rare opportunity to engage with projects of economic and social significance across the top half of the Northern Territory, building lasting relationships with Traditional Owners and supporting self-determination in the NLC region. 

About You:

You are an experienced legal practice manager with extensive experience in land rights and/or native title, contract drafting, people management, stakeholder engagement, and work health and safety. Your ability to navigate complex organisational structures and functions, build strong teams, and deliver projects in busy multi-disciplinary teams will be key to ensuring the success of your team. 

With lived experienced and deep cultural understanding of the regions NLC serves, you will bring influence, credibility, and a commitment to empowering Aboriginal communities and people. You will play a pivotal role in strengthening the NLC’s regional teams, building their capability, improving service delivery and ensuring operations align with our Regional Development priorities as articulated in the NLC Strategic and Corporate Plan.

What you will also have:

  • A Bachelor of Laws (or equivalent) and admission to legal practice in Australia.
  • Minimum 5+ years post-admission experience, predominantly in relevant areas such as contract, land tenure, construction or major projects, corporate and commercial or environment and planning law 
  • Minimum of two (2 years) experience in the management and development of a team
  • Comprehensive understanding of land rights, native title and other laws affecting the NLC and its constituent.
  • Current C Class Drivers Licence and the ability and willingness to undertake regular remote travel in a manual 4WD vehicle or light aircraft. 

For a full copy of the Position Description refer to the link provided below.

What’s in it for you?

As part of the NLC, you’ll enjoy a diverse, dedicated, supportive and inclusive workplace committed to professional growth, cultural respect, and work-life balance. In this role, you’ll gain hands-on experience and develop your negotiation and problem-solving skills in a variety of areas, with exposure to some of the NT’s most interesting traditional and new industries. The NLC offers competitive benefits and the fulfillment that comes with contributing to projects that matter.

We offer:

Annual Salary: base $160K plus 15% Superannuation (Negotiable)

  • Salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900 and additional Meal/Entertainment fringe benefits
  • Generous leave entitlements such as 5 weeks annual leave, 18 days personal leave per annum, and paid Christmas shut down.

To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter outlining why you are interested in this position and what relevant skills and experience you would bring to the role.

If you have any further queries please contact: Principal Legal Officer (Acting) John Bacon 0498 881 195

Applications Close: Tuesday 1 July 2025 – or contact us by this date to discuss making a late application.

About the NLC

The Northern Land Council (NLC) is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth. The NLC is established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth) for the purpose of serving its constituents - Traditional Owners (TOs) and other Aboriginal people living in its region in relation to lands and waters.   We are committed to enhancing Aboriginal people’s social, political and economic outcomes according to their own aspirations and amplifying their voices on issues impacting their lands, seas, cultures and communities. For more information please see www.nlc.org.au .

Legal Practice Manager Regional PD