Location: DarwinStatus: Full Time Fixed Term (3 year)Are you a seasoned legal professional ready to take the lead on some of Australia’s most important and complex land, resource, and energy matters?About the Role:The Northern Land Council (NLC) is seeking a dynamic Legal Practice Manager to lead our Resources, Energy & Major Projects 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) and the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)—helping secure, protect, and advance the rights and interests of Aboriginal people. This is a rare opportunity to engage with projects of national significance across mining, energy and infrastructure development, while building lasting relationships with Traditional Owners and supporting self-determination in the NLC region.This position will also:Oversee the regular preparation and presentation of agenda papers for the NLC’s Executive Council and Full Council, or native title holders’ prescribed bodies corporate.Prepare budgets for resources and energy projects, monitor compliance with those budgets, ensuring that funds are expended appropriately and efficiently.  Act as the legal representative for Traditional Owners within the NLC regionsAbout You:You will be an experienced Legal Practice Manager with extensive experience in the resource and energy sector, Contract management, people management, strategic operations, stakeholder engagement, and work health and safety. Your ability to navigate complex environments, build strong teams, and drive change will be key to ensuring the success of the Legal Energy & Resources section of the Legal branch. 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 in relevant areas such as resources & energy, native title, commercial, environmental, or planning law.Minimum of two (2 years) experience in the management and development of a teamComprehensive understanding of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and the laws affecting the NLC and its constituents.Current C Class Drivers Licence and the ability and willingness to undertake 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 supportive, inclusive workplace committed to professional growth, cultural respect, and work-life balance. In this role, you’ll gain hands-on experience and develop your research skills in a variety of projects. NLC offers competitive benefits and the fulfillment that comes with contributing to projects that matter.We offer:Annual Salary: Minimum $160K plus 14.5% Superannuation (Negotiable)Salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900 and additional Meal Entertainment cardGenerous leave entitlements such as 5 weeks annual leave, 18 days personal leave per annum, and paid Christmas shut down.Interested applicants should send a copy of their CV along with a cover letter outlining why you are interested in this position and what relevant skills and experience will you bring to the role. Applications will be assessed upon receipt. We retain the right to finalise the recruitment process once a suitable candidate has been identified. If you have any further queries please contact: John Bacon 0498 881 195Applications Close: Sunday 1st June 2025About the NLC The Northern Land Council (NLC) is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth. The NLC is established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) 1976 and its purpose is to serve its constituents who are Traditional Owners (TOs) and other Aboriginal people living in their region.  Cultural knowledge and lived experience are central to the work that we do here at NLC.  We are committed to enhancing Aboriginal peoples social, political and economic participation by supporting their aspirations and amplifying their voices on a range of issues impacting on their lands, seas, culture and communities. L40 Legal Practice Manager - Resources & Energy Projects AUD Darwin 0800

Legal Practice Manager Resources & Energy Projects

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

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

About the Role:

The Northern Land Council (NLC) is seeking a dynamic Legal Practice Manager to lead our Resources, Energy & Major Projects 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) and the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)—helping secure, protect, and advance the rights and interests of Aboriginal people. This is a rare opportunity to engage with projects of national significance across mining, energy and infrastructure development, while building lasting relationships with Traditional Owners and supporting self-determination in the NLC region.

This position will also:

  • Oversee the regular preparation and presentation of agenda papers for the NLC’s Executive Council and Full Council, or native title holders’ prescribed bodies corporate.
  • Prepare budgets for resources and energy projects, monitor compliance with those budgets, ensuring that funds are expended appropriately and efficiently.  
  • Act as the legal representative for Traditional Owners within the NLC regions

About You:

You will be an experienced Legal Practice Manager with extensive experience in the resource and energy sector, Contract management, people management, strategic operations, stakeholder engagement, and work health and safety. Your ability to navigate complex environments, build strong teams, and drive change will be key to ensuring the success of the Legal Energy & Resources section of the Legal branch. 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 in relevant areas such as resources & energy, native title, commercial, environmental, or planning law.
  • Minimum of two (2 years) experience in the management and development of a team
  • Comprehensive understanding of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and the laws affecting the NLC and its constituents.
  • Current C Class Drivers Licence and the ability and willingness to undertake 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 supportive, inclusive workplace committed to professional growth, cultural respect, and work-life balance. In this role, you’ll gain hands-on experience and develop your research skills in a variety of projects. NLC offers competitive benefits and the fulfillment that comes with contributing to projects that matter.

We offer:

  • Annual Salary: Minimum $160K plus 14.5% Superannuation (Negotiable)
  • Salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900 and additional Meal Entertainment card
  • Generous leave entitlements such as 5 weeks annual leave, 18 days personal leave per annum, and paid Christmas shut down.

Interested applicants should send a copy of their CV along with a cover letter outlining why you are interested in this position and what relevant skills and experience will you bring to the role.

Applications will be assessed upon receipt. We retain the right to finalise the recruitment process once a suitable candidate has been identified. 

If you have any further queries please contact: John Bacon 0498 881 195

Applications Close: Sunday 1st June 2025

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 Act (NT) 1976 and its purpose is to serve its constituents who are Traditional Owners (TOs) and other Aboriginal people living in their region.  Cultural knowledge and lived experience are central to the work that we do here at NLC.  We are committed to enhancing Aboriginal peoples social, political and economic participation by supporting their aspirations and amplifying their voices on a range of issues impacting on their lands, seas, culture and communities. 

L40 Legal Practice Manager - Resources & Energy Projects