Senior Native Title & Cultural Heritage Leader

C015 Apt Management Services Pty Limited; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

APA Group seeks a Lead Native Title & Cultural Heritage to support theAccess & Approvals team, based in Melbourne, VIC or Brisbane, QLD. You will provide expert guidance on Native Title and heritage matters, collaborating with Traditional Owners, government agencies and project teams to ensure compliance and strong First Nations relationships.

You will lead negotiations, oversee heritage surveys, and integrate approvals into project planning, while managing workstreams and consultants to support

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. Anthropology, Archaeology, Environmental Science, Law, Sustainability or similar).
• Extensive experience in Indigenous engagement, relationship management, agreement negotiations, and project approvals, ideally within renewables, infrastructure, civil construction or power projects.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
• 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

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

APA Group seeks a Lead Native Title & Cultural Heritage to support theAccess & Approvals team, based in Melbourne, VIC or Brisbane, QLD. You will provide expert guidance on Native Title and heritage matters, collaborating with Traditional Owners, government agencies and project teams to ensure compliance and strong First Nations relationships.

You will lead negotiations, oversee heritage surveys, and integrate approvals into project planning, while managing workstreams and consultants to support