Manager - Business Strategy and Performance - Land and Sea Programs

Northern Land Council; Darwin; On-site; AUD 169,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

18 days personal leave

15% superannuation

Meal Entertainment benefit

Holiday Accommodation benefit

Salary sacrificing up to $15,900

Job summary

Northern Land Council seeks a Manager - Business Strategy and Performance for Land and Sea Programs in Darwin. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, align strategic priorities with practical delivery and ensure financial and governance controls across programs including Learning on Country and Caring for Country.

You will steer reporting, adapt management, coordinate administration and support a dispersed workforce while engaging with Traditional Owners and external partners.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex programs with governance and funding oversight.
• Ability to translate strategy into clear priorities and actions.
• Strong understanding of accountability, reporting and compliance.
• Proven capability to lead cross-functional teams and engage stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee business systems, governance, funding compliance and performance.
• Lead Learning on Country and Caring for Country program support and reporting.
• Guide implementation of program plans and strengthen governance and risk management.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Governance

Contract management

Financial oversight

Reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Manager - Business Strategy and Performance - Land and Sea Programs

• Location: Darwin based with regional travel
• Status: Full-time fixed term (12-Month Maternity cover position)
• Salary package: $187,450 per annum Inclusive of15% superannuation

Bring your leadership, business planning and governance expertise to the Northern Land Council. This maternity leave opportunity offers scope to strengthen the systems behind our Caring for Country and Learning on Country programs, supporting delivery that responds to Traditional Owners’ priorities.

About the Role

Reporting to the General Manager – Land and Sea Management, you will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for business systems, governance, funding compliance and performance. Working closely with the Caring for Country Operations Manager, you will connect strategic priorities with practical program delivery.

Your portfolio includes oversight of Learning on Country, adaptive management, administration and cultural advisory functions. You will guide implementation of program plans, strengthen reporting and support a geographically dispersed workforce.

What you will Bring

You are an experienced leader who makes complex programs work effectively. You can translate strategy into clear priorities, maintain financial and governance discipline, and help teams use evidence to improve delivery. You build respectful partnerships and understand the importance of Traditional Owners’ decision‑making role in land and sea management.

In addition to this, you will have:

• At least three years’ senior leadership or program management experience in a complex organisation or service delivery setting.
• Strong business planning, contract management, financial oversight and reporting capabilities.
• Experience managing large funding agreements, including acquittals, supported by sound governance, risk and compliance knowledge.
• The ability to lead cross-functional teams and communicate effectively with Traditional Owners, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• An understanding of Aboriginal people’s interests in land and sea management, an NT driver’s licence and willingness to travel remotely.

Relevant tertiary qualifications are desirable. Experience with government or philanthropic funding, Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement frameworks, adaptive management, or Indigenous ranger programs will be well regarded.

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

What’s in it for you?

At the NLC, you’ll be part of a team that’s grounded in purpose and committed to Country. You’ll lead work that matters—supporting Traditional Owners, protecting cultural knowledge, and enabling informed decision‑making.

We offer:

• A base salary of $163,000 per annum, negotiable dependent on experience plus 15% superannuation paid on a pro Rata basis
• salary sacrificing up to $15,900 + Meal Entertainment and Holiday Accommodation benefit up to $2,650 per year.
• Generous leave provisions 5 weeks annual leave, 18 days personal leave;
• Paid Christmas close down;

The Northern Land Council is committed to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment. This position is a prioritised position and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants who meet the selection requirements will be given priority consideration in accordance with the NLC's Special Measures provisions and Section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

For further enquiries, please contact Trilby Donald on 0477 950 533.

Applications Close: Monday 9 November 2026

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.