Deputy Principal Lawyer

About NTSG

As the Commonwealth-funded Native Title Service Provider for the Goldfields region, Native Title Services Goldfields (NTSG) is committed to supporting Traditional Owners to achieve recognition of their native title rights and meaningful outcomes for culture, country and community.

With a values-driven approach grounded in trust, ambition, impact, collaboration, courage and persistence, NTSG works with our constituents, government, industry and other stakeholders to advance native title determinations which positively contribute to thriving Aboriginal communities throughout the Goldfields.

The Role

As the Deputy Principal Lawyer, you will step into a key leadership position within our Legal Services Unit, reporting to the Principal Lawyer. This is a high-impact role requiring a strategic legal mind, strong leadership and management capabilities and the ability to deliver outcomes for Aboriginal clients with professionalism and cultural awareness.

In this role you will:

• Provide high-level legal advice and representation to native title claimants, Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs), NTSG leadership and staff on native title, land tenure, mining and related legal matters.
• Assist in developing detailed case-management plans, strategies for native title projects and prioritising those projects in consultation with the Principal Lawyer;
• Represent claimant and holding groups before the National Native Title Tribunal, the Federal Court, and in negotiations regarding land use, access agreements, compensation or impairment of native title.
• Coordinate the Legal Services Unit's activities across claims, compensation and agreement-making portfolios and liaise across NTSG's teams to ensure integrated service delivery.
• Manage, supervise, mentor and coach legal team members to build capability, foster a high-performance culture and ensure compliance with legal practice standards;
• Oversee quality assurance for the legal practice, including legal files/filing systems, Legal Practice Rules (LPR), legal forms and precedents, continuing professional development (CPD) compliance, legal library management and related operational support;
• Actively participate as a senior member of the NTSG team—sharing ideas, contributing to strategic planning, complying with policies and procedures, and exemplifying excellence in service to Traditional Owners.

About You

You will bring:

• Admission to practice as a legal practitioner in Western Australia and eligibility to hold an unrestricted practising certificate.
• Extensive experience in native title law, land access/mining law or related fields, ideally within a representative, community or non-profit legal environment;
• Demonstrated expertise in providing strategic legal advice, drafting court and tribunal documents (e.g., applications for determination of native title, witness statements, compensation claims) and advocacy in complex legal settings;
• Proven leadership and people-management skills, with experience supervising and mentoring legal staff and building effective teams;
• Exceptional organisational and project-management capability, with the capacity to coordinate multiple portfolios, set priorities and deliver outcomes under pressure within a multidisciplinary team;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with cultural awareness, respect for Aboriginal governance and the ability to work collaboratively with Traditional Owners, communities, industry and government;
• A commitment to NTSG's mission of empowering culture, people and country and the values that underpin the work: partnership, integrity, respect and service excellence.

What We Offer

• A meaningful opportunity to lead and make real impact in the native title domain—supporting Aboriginal people to achieve recognition and outcomes for their country.
• A values-driven workplace with a strong focus on of collaboration, respect and professional development;
• Competitive salary and benefits (commensurate with experience), including salary packaging and support for ongoing professional development;
• A chance to work on complex legal matters within a respected non-profit organisation committed to justice and community outcomes;
• Flexible working arrangements within a supportive and multidisciplinary team environment.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience, leadership approach and motivation for joining NTSG. For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact NTSG HR at Applications close 30 November 2025.