Total Salary Package: $207,000 Inclusive of 15% superannuation
Lead legal strategy where it matters most.
This is a rare opportunity to operate at the intersection of law, leadership and purpose—shaping outcomes that directly impact Aboriginal land, sea and resource rights across the Northern Territory.
About the Role:
The Chief Legal Officer is the senior legal authority within the Northern Land Council, providing strategic legal leadership and enterprise‐level advice to the CEO, Chair and Executive Council.
This is not a traditional in‐house counsel role. You will operate as a trusted executive advisor and people leader, accountable for the quality, integrity and direction of legal services across multiple practice areas.
You will lead a high‐performing legal function, oversee complex and sensitive matters, guide strategic litigation, and ensure legally robust, culturally legitimate decision‐making in support of Traditional Owners.
What You Will Bring:
You are a strategic legal leader with the judgement, presence and credibility to influence at executive level. You are comfortable operating in complex, high‐stakes environments and leading multidisciplinary teams through ambiguity and competing priorities.
You bring a strong foundation in statutory, governance or regulated environments, combined with the ability to translate legal complexity into clear, actionable advice. Importantly, you understand that success in this role requires more than technical excellence — it requires leadership, cultural capability and sound judgement.
* Extensive senior leadership experience within a legal practice or complex organisation, including leading high‐performing teams.
* Proven experience advising executive or board‐level stakeholders on complex, high‐risk legal and governance matters.
* Strong capability in statutory interpretation, regulatory frameworks and managing enterprise‐level legal risk.
* Demonstrated ability to work effectively in culturally diverse environments, including respectful engagement with Aboriginal stakeholders.
What's in it for you?
At the NLC, you will step into a role with genuine influence and purpose.
You will shape legal strategy at an enterprise level while working on nationally significant land, native title and resource matters. This is an opportunity to lead a multidisciplinary legal function and contribute to outcomes that support self‐determination and long‐term community impact.
We offer:
* A competitive executive salary package negotiable dependent on experience.
* Salary sacrificing up to $15,900 plus additional Meal Entertainment benefits
* 5 weeks annual leave and 18 days personal leave.
* Paid Christmas shutdown
* A values‐driven, high‐impact leadership environment
Applications will close: Sunday 31 May 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.
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