- Location: Darwin
- Status: Full-time Ongoing
- Total Salary Package: $178,250 Inclusive of Superannuation (negotiable)
This role is about leadership, accountability, and relationship-building—ensuring that ranger programs are professionally managed, culturally grounded, and achieving long-term impact.
About the Role
As Operations Manager – Caring for Country (CFC), you’ll play a central role in protecting country and supporting Traditional Owner-led land and sea management across the NLC regions. This senior position leads the operational delivery of our flagship Caring for Country program, which supports NLC Ranger groups in our regions. You’ll ensure ranger activities align with the NLC’s Caring for Country Strategic Plan, and that they reflect the priorities, aspirations and cultural responsibilities of the Traditional Owners. The role is hands-on, dynamic, and grounded in both community and Country. You’ll work closely with Ranger Coordinators, Traditional Owners, and partner agencies to deliver high-impact outcomes in environmental protection, cultural site management, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainable livelihoods
What you will Bring
A deep understanding of Aboriginal cultural knowledge, protocols and governance structures. You have the experience and the high-level people skills to support ranger groups, manage logistics and risk, build community trust, and ensure that project and funding obligations are met. You will bring strong leadership and team management skills, with a track record of supporting staff and building collaborative teams, managing budgets, projects and partnerships, ideally in remote or cross-cultural settings. You will have a calm, solutions-focused approach to complex challenges and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
You will also have the following
- Minimum of five (5) years’ relevant practical business and leadership experience in managing field-based programs in natural resource management or conservation
- Minimum of three (3) year’s senior operational management experience in remote settings
- Experience in delivering training, capacity building and mentoring staff in remote settings
- Previous experience managing logistical challenges in remote or regional areas and a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental and Conservation Science or relevant equivalent qualifications
For a full copy of the Position Description refer to the link provided below.
What’s in it for you?
This is a unique opportunity to take a leadership role in a nationally recognised Indigenous land and sea management program and contribute to long-term, on-Country outcomes that matter.
Be part of something bigger—working alongside the oldest continuous culture on Earth, supporting Aboriginal-led conservation and cultural governance across one of the most ecologically and culturally rich landscapes in Australia.
We offer:
- Annual Salary: $178,250 Inclusive of 15% Superannuation (negotiable)
- Salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900 and additional Meal Entertainment
- Generous leave entitlements such as 5 weeks annual leave, 18 days personal leave per annum, and paid Christmas shut down.
Interested applicants should send a copy of their CV along with a cover letter outlining why you are interested in this position and what relevant skills and experience you will bring to the role.
Previous applicants need not apply
If you have any further queries please contact: Paul Donohoe 0456 811 868
This vacancy is an Aboriginal prioritised position. Eligible Aboriginal applicants will be given priority consideration as per the special measures provision of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1992 (NT). All other applicants will only be assessed for selection if there is no suitable Aboriginal special measures applicants.
Applications Close: Sunday 10th August 2025
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.