Senior Consultant - Heritage (Victoria)

Niche Group; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work

Mentorship access

Career development

Meaningful projects

Community & events

Competitive remuneration

Job summary

Niche Group, now part of Stantec, is seeking an experienced Senior Heritage Consultant for its Victorian Heritage team in Melbourne. The role focuses on Aboriginal cultural heritage, leading projects from start to finish and managing client relationships.

You will mentor junior staff, engage with Traditional Owners, and contribute to policy and knowledge sharing. A strong Bureau of Aboriginal heritage knowledge and governance experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Honours degree in Archaeology or related field.
• Experience in Aboriginal cultural heritage consulting.
• Experience managing projects end-to-end.
• Strong knowledge of Victorian heritage legislation and approvals.
• Experience conducting fieldwork and stakeholder consultation.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently within a collaborative team.
• Australian working rights and a current driver’s licence.
• Experience in historical heritage management is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead Aboriginal and historical heritage assessments with field surveys and reporting.
• Prepare Cultural Heritage Management Plans and impact assessments.
• Manage heritage projects from initiation to completion, including scope and budgets.
• Engage Traditional Owners, First Peoples organisations, government agencies and clients.
• Provide strategic advice on Victorian heritage legislation and approvals.
• Mentor junior team members in investigations and reporting.
• Contribute to proposals, client relationships and business development.
• Share industry knowledge through presentations and events.

Skills

Aboriginal heritage

Project management

Stakeholder consultation

Technical writing

Verbal communication

Independent worker

Education

Honours degree in Archaeology

Job description

Niche is a specialist biodiversity, heritage and natural capital consultancy, now part of Stantec. Since 2009, we have been driven by a determination to find better ways to create a sustainable future for people and nature.

We work with clients across diverse industries to navigate complex environmental and social challenges, including projects supporting Australia’s transition to renewable energy and delivering nature-positive outcomes at a landscape scale.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Senior Heritage Consultant to join our Victorian Heritage team, with a strong background in Aboriginal cultural heritage.

You will take a leading role in the delivery of heritage projects, combining technical expertise with project management, First Peoples engagement and client relationships. You will manage projects from proposal through to completion, ensuring high-quality technical outcomes, effective stakeholder engagement and delivery against scope, budget and timelines.

You will also have the opportunity to mentor developing consultants, contribute to client relationships and help grow Niche’s heritage capability in Victoria.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Aboriginal and historical heritage assessments, including field surveys, consultation and reporting.Prepare high-quality Cultural Heritage Management Plans, impact assessments, due diligence assessments and other technical reports.Manage heritage projects from initiation through to completion, including scope, budgets, timelines and technical quality.Engage and build respectful relationships with Traditional Owners, First Peoples organisations, government agencies, clients and other stakeholders.Provide strategic advice on Victorian heritage legislation, compliance and approvals.Undertake technical review and quality assurance of heritage reports and proposals.Contribute to proposals, client relationships and business development activities.Mentor and support junior team members in heritage investigations, fieldwork and reporting.Contribute to industry knowledge through presentations, papers and professional events.

About You

You will bring:

• An Honours degree or equivalent in Archaeology, Heritage Management or a related discipline.
• Experience in Aboriginal cultural heritage consulting, ideally across renewable energy, infrastructure or other major development projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing consulting projects from end to end.
• Strong knowledge of Victorian heritage legislation and approvals processes.
• Demonstrated experience conducting fieldwork and stakeholder consultation.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.
• Australian working rights and a current driver’s licence.
• Experience in historical heritage management will also be highly regarded.

Our people tell us they value being part of a supportive team where they feel connected, trusted and able to do their best work. When you join Niche, you can expect:

• Flexibility and balance: Flexible working arrangements to support your health, wellbeing, development and personal fulfilment.
• Great people to learn from: Access to experienced specialists, advisors and mentors.
• Meaningful career development: A collaborative environment where you can continue building your technical, consulting and leadership capability.
• Interesting and impactful projects: Work that contributes to positive outcomes for communities, culture and the environment.
• Connection and community: Team activities, professional networks and social events.
• Competitive remuneration: A salary based on your skills and experience.