GOVERNANCE & NATIVE TITLE MANAGER

Lester Blades - Executive Search & Board Advisory; Western Australia; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) is seeking a specialist in Native Title, agreement management and governance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and strengthen governance systems. Reporting to the NAC Board and working with the Operations Manager, you will establish registers, calendars, dashboards and reporting, monitor future acts and coordinate with proponents, government and advisers.

A legal background or experience in a PBC or ACCO is valued; closing date for applications

Qualifications

• Experience in Native Title, agreement management, governance or a closely related field.
• Ability to interpret complex agreements and convert obligations into disciplined actions and reporting.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Experience establishing compliance systems, registers, dashboards and reporting frameworks.
• Board, committee or senior governance support experience.

Responsibilities

• Managing Native Title, heritage and related agreement obligations and compliance.
• Establishing and maintaining agreement registers, compliance calendars, dashboards and reporting.
• Monitoring future acts and ensuring responses/objections progress within required timeframes.
• Working constructively with proponents, government, the Nyamal People's Trust, lawyers and advisers.
• Supporting agreement negotiations and strengthening internal Native Title capability.
• Providing governance and secretariat support to the Board, including agendas, papers, minutes, resolutions and statutory records.
• Supporting CATSI Act and broader governance compliance.

Skills

Native Title

Agreement management

Governance

Compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Board support

Job description

Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation (NAC) represents the Nyamal people and oversees the governance and administration of Native Title agreements and related obligations on their behalf. The organisation plays a key role in ensuring that Native Title rights and interests are properly upheld, while supporting the community's long-term cultural, social and economic development.

NAC is currently conducting an operational review and organisational strengthening process, supported by the Nyamal People's Trust. This work includes ensuring the corporation has appropriate governance structures, compliance systems and specialist capability to manage its obligations effectively.

The Position:

Reporting directly to the NAC Board and working closely with the Operations Manager, this is a specialist Native Title, agreement management and governance role responsible for ensuring the Corporation remains compliant with its significant contractual and compliance obligations.

Central to the position will be developing and maintaining robust systems that clearly identify what NAC and its agreement partners are required to deliver, when actions are due and where intervention or Board decisions are required. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Managing Native Title, heritage and related agreement obligations and compliance.
• Establishing and maintaining agreement registers, compliance calendars, dashboards and reporting.
• Monitoring future acts and ensuring responses and objections are progressed within required timeframes.
• Working constructively with proponents, government, the Nyamal People's Trust, lawyers and specialist advisers.
• Supporting agreement negotiations and progressively strengthening internal Native Title capability.
• Providing governance and secretariat support to the Board, including agendas, papers, minutes, resolutions and statutory records.
• Supporting CATSI Act and broader governance compliance.

About You:

You will bring demonstrated experience in Native Title, agreement management, governance, compliance or a closely related field, together with the ability to interpret complex agreements and convert obligations into disciplined systems, actions and reporting. You will also demonstrate:

• Sound knowledge of Native Title and future act processes.
• Strong attention to detail and an ability to manage multiple critical deadlines.
• Experience establishing compliance systems, registers, dashboards and reporting frameworks.
• Board, committee or senior governance support experience.
• Strong written communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A professional and diplomatic approach when dealing with proponents and external stakeholders.
• Sound judgement, discretion and the ability to operate autonomously within defined responsibilities.
• A culturally respectful and collaborative approach and genuine alignment with the purpose of an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation.

A legal background and/or experience within a PBC or ACCO would be highly regarded but should not be mandatory.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Wednesday 21st October 2026

Candidates' rights under the Privacy Act will be observed at all times.

Only candidates with valid work rights in Australia can be considered.

ABOUT LESTER BLADES

Lester Blades is a Western Australian owned executive search and board advisory firm with local specialisation and international reach. We focus on uncompromising excellence in service to clients in the identification of Non-Executive Directors, CEOs and a range of other senior executive and functional leadership roles.