Native Title Manager, Anthropology

Location: Darwin
Status: Full-time Ongoing

The Northern Land Council (NLC) is seeking an experienced and respected anthropologist to lead our Native Title Anthropology team. This is a senior leadership opportunity to shape high-quality anthropological research and practice across pre-determination post-determination and future act matters in one of Australias most significant Native Title jurisdictions.

About the Role:

As Manager Native Title Anthropology you will coordinate and oversee the NLCs anthropological work in support of Native Title Determination Applications (NTDAs) and related statutory processes. You will lead a team of anthropologists and consultants ensuring the delivery of rigorous evidence-based research that supports the recognition and protection of Aboriginal rights and interests.

You will oversee connection research review and author expert reports and work collaboratively with Legal Regional and Executive teams. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the NLC meets its obligations under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth) while upholding the integrity confidentiality and cultural sensitivity required in Native Title matters. This is a leadership role requiring sound judgement strategic oversight and the ability to manage complex sensitive anthropological and legal processes in remote and cross-cultural contexts.

What You Will Bring:

You are a highly experienced anthropologist with deep expertise in Native Title research and a strong understanding of the evidentiary standards required in connection reporting. You bring proven leadership capability strong project governance skills and the ability to guide teams and consultants to deliver work of the highest professional standard.

You are confident reviewing and authoring expert anthropological reports and working respectfully with Traditional Owners and claimant groups. You combine academic rigour with practical understanding of the cultural legal and political context of Native Title in Northern Australia.

You thrive in complex environments can manage competing priorities and bring a collaborative leadership style that builds capability within your team.

In addition you will have:

• Minimum Honours degree in Anthropology or related discipline
• Minimum five (5) years experience in anthropological research relating to Native Title
• Minimum two (2) years leadership experience
• Demonstrated experience researching preparing and authoring expert anthropological reports

Why Join the NLC

NLC offers the Opportunity to work in a values-driven organisation with national significance. Lead high-impact anthropological work that contributes directly to Native Title recognition. Shape best-practice standards in connection research and future act processes

We offer:

• Base salary $140K Per Annum negotiable depending on experience plus 15% Superannuation
• Salary Sacrificing of up to $15900 plus meal and entertainment card benefits.
  • 5 weeks annual leave 18 days personal leave;
  • Paid Christmas Closedown

How to apply:

Interested applicants should submit a current CV and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how your skills and experience align with the position

For further queries please contact Wendy Asche on

Applications close: Sunday 8 March 2026

About the Northern Land Council:

The Northern Land Council (NLC) is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. We serve Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities across the Top End supporting their aspirations for land sea and cultural knowledge and lived experience are central to all we do. We are committed to equity inclusion and cultural safety and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply.