Senior Native Title & Cultural Heritage Leader

APA Group; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

APA Group is seeking a Lead Native Title & Cultural Heritage professional to join the Access & Approvals team in Melbourne, VIC or Brisbane, QLD. You will guide Native Title and heritage matters across projects, collaborating with Traditional Owners, government agencies and project teams to ensure compliant and respectful outcomes.

You will lead negotiations, coordinate cultural heritage surveys, and integrate approvals early in planning while managing specialists and budgeting considerations.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in anthropology, archaeology, environmental science, law, sustainability or similar.
• Extensive Indigenous engagement and relationship-management experience on infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to negotiate agreements with Traditional Owners and Native Title groups.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and project-management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-engagement capabilities.
• Willingness to travel to local and remote project sites.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice on project approvals, Native Title and First Nations agreements to support project development and business growth.
• Lead negotiations and build strong relationships with Traditional Owners and Native Title groups.
• Coordinate APA's participation in cultural heritage surveys and consultation activities, ensuring engagement aligns with cultural protocols and community expectations.
• Ensure Native Title, heritage and statutory approval requirements are identified early and integrated into project planning.
• Manage Native Title and heritage workstreams, oversee specialist consultants, and provide advice on project feasibility, schedules and costs.
• Ensure approvals activities comply with legislative requirements, internal policies and governance obligations, including tracking, reporting and assurance.

Skills

Indigenous engagement

Relationship management

Negotiation

Project approvals

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Willingness to travel

Education

Tertiary qualification in Anthropology/Archaeology/Environmental Science/Law/Sustainability or similar

Job description

APA Group is seeking a Lead Native Title & Cultural Heritage professional to join the Access & Approvals team in Melbourne, VIC or Brisbane, QLD. You will guide Native Title and heritage matters across projects, collaborating with Traditional Owners, government agencies and project teams to ensure compliant and respectful outcomes.

You will lead negotiations, coordinate cultural heritage surveys, and integrate approvals early in planning while managing specialists and budgeting considerations.