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Manager - Business Strategy and Performance

Manager ‑ Business Strategy and Performance

Location: Darwin, NT (relocating to new office premises in Berrimah in early 2026)

Total Remuneration Package: $172,500 - $178,000 depending on experience and inclusive of 15% superannuation.

Lead strategic impact across land and sea management

If you’re a strategic leader who thrives on driving organisational performance and meaningful impact, the Northern Land Council (NLC) offers an opportunity to apply your expertise within one of Australia’s leading Aboriginal organisations. In this role, you’ll help shape strategies that strengthen governance, foster sustainable growth, and uphold cultural integrity, contributing to positive outcomes for Aboriginal communities across the Northern Territory.

Join us as we transition into our brand-new, purpose-built office in Berrimah - a modern facility with enhanced collaboration spaces, free onsite parking, and an improved collaborative working environment that supports both people and performance.

About the role

Reporting to the General Manager Land and Sea Management, you will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for business systems, governance, and strategic operations for the Caring for Country (CFC) and Learning on Country (LoC) Programs. Working closely with the CFC Operations Manager you will drive program planning, compliance, performance, and workforce capability to ensure effective, sustainable delivery across remote and dispersed locations.

Your leadership will ensure the alignment of operational delivery with long‑term strategic goals- embedding sound planning, contract and funding compliance, and evidence‑based decision‑making. You’ll guide reforms that improve accountability, workforce capability, and program sustainability while ensuring Traditional Owner priorities remain central to every decision.

Refer to the full position description (link)

About you

You’re a proven senior manager with a record of leading people and systems that deliver real impact. You bring business acumen, cultural awareness, and the ability to balance strategic direction with operational excellence.

You will have:

- At least three years in a senior leadership or program management role within a complex organisation;

- Expertise in business planning, contract management, financial oversight, and performance reporting;

- Experience managing large‑scale funding agreements and compliance frameworks;

- Strong relationship‑building skills across internal teams, Traditional Owners, and external partners;

- Sound understanding of Aboriginal peoples’ interests in land and sea management; and

- A current NT C Class driver’s licence and willingness to travel remotely (4WD and light aircraft)

Postgraduate qualifications in business, management, or a related discipline will be highly regarded.

Why Join the NLC?

As Manager - Business Strategy and Performance, you’ll influence how two nationally significant programs are governed, funded, and delivered. You’ll lead reforms that build stronger systems, enable local decision‑making, and ensure the NLC’s land and sea work remains sustainable for the future.

You’ll work alongside Traditional Owners, community leaders, and dedicated teams who share a common purpose — caring for Country and supporting the next generation of Aboriginal land and sea managers.

This is an opportunity to shape strategy where it matters most — in an organisation that blends cultural knowledge with modern management to achieve real, lasting impact.

We offer:

- A total remuneration package value of $172,500 - $178,000 depending on experience and inclusive of 15% superannuation.

- Salary packaging benefits (up to $15,900 + $2,500 for meals/holiday accommodation).

- Generous leave provisions; 5 weeks annual leave, 18 days personal leave,

- The opportunity to work across diverse regions, communities and cultures, supporting country, culture and people in ways that few leadership roles can offer.

How to apply

All applications must be lodged via the NLC Jobs Website jobs.nlc.org.au and include:

- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the selection criteria.

- A current CV.

- Copies of relevant qualifications.

Applications close: Monday 17 Nov 2025

This position is designated for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants under section 57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1992 (NT). Applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration.

Please note: New employees will commence from 20 January 2026, following the NLC’s annual close‑down period from 22 December 2025 to 4 January 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 management.

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.

Be part of our next chapter

This is an exciting time to join the NLC as we move into a new modern workplace and strengthen our capacity to deliver meaningful outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities across the Northern Territory.

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