Heritage Manager

• Lead with purpose—shape heritage outcomes and protect Country.
• Drive strategic impact while preserving culture and tradition.
• Full-time leadership role connecting people, place, and heritage

About Us

The Palyku-Jartayi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC ('PJAC') was incorporated in January 2020 under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.

As the prescribed body corporate of the Palyku Native Title Holders, PJAC holds the Palyku people's native title rights and interests in trust to:

• Promote the management of the language, culture, and traditional practice of the Palyku people;
• Ensure that the Palyku people's culture and heritage is recorded, protected, and shared within the Palyku community;
• Ensure compliance with the obligations of the Palyku people detailed within Native Title and Aboriginal Heritage Agreements;
• Develop and implement a Strategic Plan for PJAC;
• Promote Palyku community development programmes.
• Foster business and employment opportunities and promote sustainability;
• Promote in all Corporation endeavours the common good of Palyku people through equitable action and enterprise.

The Role

PJAC is a growing Corporation requiring employees to be flexible and use initiative to support the business where needed. The below is a list of duties and responsibilities however you will be required to assist in other areas when required. Your Position Description will change and grow over time to fit the needs of the role and the business.

Reporting to the CEO of the corporation, the Heritage Manager has responsibility for delivering heritage and land management activities in line with PJAC's strategic and operational plans. The position directs the heritage team, and ensures it has the capacity to meet legal, legislative and agreement responsibilities. The Heritage Manager will liaise with internal and external stakeholders including other PJAC management team and staff members, elders, members and various commercial, government and non-government stakeholders to ensure timely and compliant outcomes for the corporation.

Frequent travel is essential, and the successful candidate must reside in either Perth or Port Hedland.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop policies and procedures that support the efficient management of the PJAC Heritage business unit and supportive working environment
• Oversee the delivery of surveys in accordance with industry best practice and associated native title and heritage agreements and relevant legislation
• Monitor the heritage survey schedule, and roster of personnel availability to understand when PJAC may be at risk of under-delivery
• Review and provide feedback on reports for field work involving heritage protection including monitoring and traditional ecological knowledge trips
• Ensure that information provided to other PJAC staff for purposes of payroll, logistics and other functions is as full and accurate as practicable
• Prepare correspondence and documents relating to heritage surveys, monitoring, traditional ecological knowledge and social surroundings consultation
• Liaise with mining companies, government and consultants as necessary
• Ensure that draft heritage survey reports are provided in a timely manner
• Undertake effective, culturally sensitive and timely communications on heritage matters with PJAC staff and survey participants, including escalation of concerns or incidents as soon as practicable
• Develop strategies and initiatives to assist PJAC people to identify and protect areas of cultural significance
• Co-ordinate key cultural and heritage projects, as required
• Assist with the preparation of in-house mapping or data display to assist other employees' understanding or to assist with briefing external mapping providers
• Liaise with and assist native title and heritage advisors, other relevant service providers as required
• Manage the development of systems to enable the long-term management and storage of heritage information
• Management of other environmental, heritage or cultural matters as required.

Exhibit the expected behaviours of a PJAC employee:

• Exhibit a professional and respectful attitude towards others in the workplace
• Participate constructively with team planning, tracking and review processes
• Share knowledge, to upskill other team members and ensure wide awareness of the heritage issues relevant to the Corporation
• Escalate concerns or complaints through via the CEO
• Continually seek improvement opportunities and ways in which the Corporation can lift its efficiency or effectiveness
• Build constructive commercial relationships with mining companies, government agencies and departments and third-party service providers.
• Adhere to PJAC policies and procedures, the Rule Book, Code of Conduct and all other legislative requirements as directed and amended by PJAC.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Previous fieldwork experience – working on heritage, environment or ranger surveys and activities.
• Sound knowledge of Aboriginal cultural heritage management issues relevant to the Pilbara including current legislation
• An understanding of contemporary factors influencing Aboriginal people and communities
• Managing information systems to maintain records and generate reports
• Experience in working with small teams
• Ability to build partnerships and manage a wide diversity of people
• Sound financial acumen
• Working knowledge of the WA Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972
• Proven track record of project management and delivery
• Well-developed interpersonal skills
• Ability to successfully work remotely and autonomously.

Desirable

• A current Australian Driver's license (manual)
• An understanding of and previous experience working with indigenous communities, preferably within the Pilbara region.
• Experience in undertaking a range of administrative duties with intermediate level MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint and GIS software.
• Strong self-management skills/well organised.
• Strong verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Project Management experience.

Licences and Accreditations

• Cleared National Police Check
• Drivers' License (C Class)

How to apply

Please forward your application including:

• Resume
• Cover letter stating your experience for the role.

Send your application or any queries to Samantha -

Applications will be assessed as received and interviews may be scheduled prior to the closing date.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Applications close 1st November 2025