Executive Director, Strategy

NSW Aboriginal Land Council; Sydney; On-site; AUD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary sacrifice benefits (PBI)

Vehicle options

Flexible location

Generous leave

Job summary

NSW Aboriginal Land Council is seeking an Executive Director Strategy, a senior leader responsible for strengthening NSWALC’s authority on land rights and Aboriginal rights across NSW. You will lead advocacy, policy and communications, providing authoritative guidance to the CEO and Council.

The role requires cultural authority, deep experience with Aboriginal communities, and the ability to engage with Council and diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated cultural capability and credibility working with Aboriginal peoples, communities and organisations.
• Strategic advocacy and policy leadership to influence government and shape policy positions.
• High-level stakeholder engagement and ability to build trusted relationships across community, government and peak bodies.
• Strong leadership: guiding teams, setting expectations, driving performance and uplift.
• Excellent communication and judgement translating complex issues for senior audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Advocacy Stream and NSWALC’s policy, strategy, media and Council support.
• Provide authoritative advice to the CEO and Council; shape responses to legislative and policy developments.
• Build strategic relationships across the Land Rights Network, LALCs, CAPO, government and peak bodies.
• Drive cultural safety and aligned messaging; influence statewide positioning and protect NSWALC’s reputation.

Job description

Full-time | Redfern, Parramatta or Zone Office, NSW| $200,000 plus 12% super

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

About the Organisation

The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) is the peak body for Aboriginal land rights in NSW, established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983. As a self-funded statutory authority, NSWALC works to return land, strengthen cultural and economic independence, and advocate for the rights and interests of Aboriginal people across a network of 120 Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Under CEO Clare McHugh, NSWALC is renewing its operating model, strengthening systems, and building a high-performing, culturally grounded leadership team. With nearly half of its workforce identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the organisation offers a purpose driven environment where cultural integrity, accountability and long-term community impact guide every decision.

About the role

The Executive Director Strategy is a senior leadership role that strengthens NSWALC’s authority and voice on land rights and the rights of Aboriginal people across NSW. The role leads the Advocacy Stream, covering policy and strategy, media and communications, and Council support, and ensures NSWALC presents a clear, consistent and community grounded position on key priorities. It provides authoritative advice to the CEO and Council, shapes NSWALC’s responses to legislative and policy developments, and builds strategic relationships across the Land Rights Network, LALCs, CAPO, government and peak bodies. The role is central to restoring NSWALC’s independent advocacy presence and ensuring that statewide positions are credible, evidence based and culturally informed.

The role requires a leader with strong cultural authority, deep experience working with Aboriginal communities, and confidence engaging with a full-time, hands‑on Council. Day to day, the Executive Director drives strategic advocacy, coordinates policy responses, monitors emerging issues, and ensures culturally safe and aligned messaging across NSWALC. As part of the Executive team, the role influences statewide positioning, protects NSWALC’s reputation, and ensures the organisation meets its obligations under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983. It also plays a key part in organisational uplift by setting expectations, guiding managers, and building capability across the Advocacy Stream.

About you

This role would be suitable for someone with strong cultural authority, deep experience working with Aboriginal communities and Council. You bring strategic advocacy capability, sound judgement in complex government relations, and the ability to represent NSWALC’s voice with clarity and credibility. You lead collaboratively, set clear expectations, build capability across teams, and respond quickly to emerging issues. Above all, you are values aligned, resilient, and committed to the long-term impact of the Land Rights Network.

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated cultural capability and credibility, including experience working with Aboriginal peoples, communities and organisations.
• Proven strategic advocacy and policy leadership, with the ability to influence government, shape policy positions and lead complex engagement.
• High level stakeholder engagement skills, with a track record of building trusted relationships across community, government and peak bodies.
• Strong leadership capability, including experience guiding teams, setting expectations, driving performance and supporting organisational uplift.
• Excellent communication and judgement, with the ability to translate complex issues clearly for senior audiences and respond effectively to emerging matters

What we can offer you

• Senior leadership role with real influence across NSWALC’s financial future and corporate operations.
• Opportunity to shape modern systems, processes and capability during a period of organisational renewal.
• Purpose-driven, community-controlled environment grounded in cultural integrity and long-term impact.
• Competitive executive remuneration package, including salary sacrifice benefits (PBI status, up to $15,900 per annum) and vehicle options.
• Flexible location options across Redfern, Parramatta or NSWALC regional offices, with some travel required to head office and the LALC network.
• Generous leave provisions including annual, cultural, executive, shutdown and personal leave entitlements.