Legal Practice Manager - Land Claims
- Lead and manage the Northern Land Council’s land claims legal practice and team of lawyers.
- Oversee land claims, native title agreement-making and implementation, providing strategic legal advice and operational leadership.
- Build collaborative, culturally safe relationships with Aboriginal people and communities, and undertake required remote travel.
Location: Darwin, NT
Status: Full-Time Ongoing
Salary Package: $204,700 Inclusive of15% Superannuation
Are you an experienced legal leader looking to make a meaningful impact for Aboriginal people across the Northern Territory? The Northern Land Council (NLC) is seeking a Legal Practice Manager - Land Claims, to lead a team of lawyers delivering high-quality legal services that secure, protect and advance the rights and interests of Aboriginal Territorians in relation to land, sea and waters. This is a unique opportunity to combine legal expertise, leadership and strategic thinking in a role that directly contributes to Aboriginal self-determination and the protection of cultural and land rights.
About the Role
Reporting to the General Counsel, the Legal Practice Manager - Land Claims is responsible for overseeing and managing the NLC's land claims legal practice. The role leads a team of senior lawyers and lawyers undertaking land claims work, native title agreement-making and implementation activities, while supporting broader legal priorities across the organisation as required.
Working closely with other Legal Practice Managers and multidisciplinary teams, you will provide strategic leadership, expert legal advice and operational oversight to ensure effective delivery of the NLC's statutory functions and legal services.
What You Will Bring
You are a highly experienced legal practitioner with strong leadership capability and a passion for advancing Aboriginal rights and interests. You thrive in a complex and dynamic environment, can balance competing priorities and bring a collaborative approach to leadership and stakeholder engagement.
You will have extensive experience managing legal teams and delivering strategic legal services while maintaining a strong commitment to culturally safe practice and respectful engagement with Aboriginal people and communities.
In Addition, You Will Have
- Bachelor of Laws or equivalent qualification and admission to legal practice in a Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
- Significant post-admission legal experience
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage complex matters under broad direction and with a high degree of autonomy.
- Demonstrated commitment to culturally safe practice and inclusive leadership.
- Current C Class Driver Licence and willingness to undertake remote travel, including travel by light aircraft and manual 4WD vehicle.
For a full copy of the Position Description, refer to the link provided below.
What’s in it for you
Professional growth, meaningful leadership responsibility and work with lasting impact.
What we offer
- Base salary: $178,000 plus 15% superannuation.
- Salary packaging: up to $15,900, plus meal entertainment and holiday accommodation benefits up to $2,650 per year.
- Generous leave provisions: including five weeks annual leave and 18 days personal leave.
- Paid Christmas closedown
How to Apply: Submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest in the position and the relevant legal, leadership and practice-management experience you would bring to the role.
For further Enquiries: Please contact the General Counsel on 0409 048 147.
Applications close: Monday 30 November 2026
About the NLC
The Northern Land Council is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. The NLC serves Traditional Owners and other Aboriginal people across the Top End of the Northern Territory. Cultural knowledge and lived experience are central to our work. We support Aboriginal people’s social, political and economic participation, their aspirations, and their voices on matters affecting land, sea, culture and community.
L58 Legal Practice Manager Land Claims
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