Principal Lawyer / Special Counsel

Join Us: Make a Difference in the Native Title Sector 

Location: Hybrid WFH & Office in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney or Canberra 

Salary: $ 166,588 to $ 185,198 per annum + 12% superannuation + salary packaging 

Position type: Full-time Permanent

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

An exceptional opportunity exists for an accomplished Principal Lawyer or Special Counsel to bring their expertise and leadership to a highly influential role, providing strategic legal advice at a senior executive level across native title law, land rights and First Nations legal practice and policy.

About us

The National Native Title Council (NNTC) is the peak body for native title organisations across Australia. As a not-for-profit organisation, we provide a united national voice on matters of significance to the native title sector and advocate for the rights and interests of Traditional Owners.

About the role

We are seeking Principal Lawyer / Special Counsel to be a key member of the Senior Executive team at the National Native Title Council (NNTC), providing strategic leadership and advice on legal matters. The role is responsible for shaping and delivering legal strategy, leading legislative and policy reform, and working directly with NNTC members and stakeholders to coordinate effective legal strategies.

The Principal Lawyer / Special Counsel has extensive legal experience in related field and can provide leadership and authoritative advice to and represent the NNTC at senior-level meetings, forums, conferences and other key engagements.

The role builds on strategic partnerships with sector stakeholders and will maintain trusted relationships with the NNTC’s Board and members to ensure the NNTC’s strategic objectives are implemented into organisational decision-making and projects.  

Some of our duties & responsibilities will include:

• Provide strategic leadership of NNTC’s legal function, including team development, governance, policies and professional standards.
• Deliver authoritative legal and policy advice on complex native title matters, leading submissions, briefings and position statements on legislative reform.
• Act as trusted legal adviser to the Board, CEO and Senior Executive Leadership Team on legal risk, governance and strategic matters.
• Provide strategic oversight of NNTC’s litigation involvement and manage external legal service providers to ensure value and alignment with organisational objectives.
• Working with the Executive Team to forward plan the NNTC’s legal and policy programs, setting clear and project objectives, and developing a program of work.
• Build and maintain influential relationships across the native title sector, including members, government agencies and professional bodies.
• Represent NNTC at external forums and national policy discussions, advocating for members on native title law and reform.
• As a member of the Senior Executive Leadership Team, contribute legal and policy perspective to organisational strategy, culture and performance.
• Oversee legal function budgets and identify strategic funding opportunities to strengthen NNTC’s legal, policy and advocacy capability

 Qualifications

• Admission as a legal practitioner in Australia (current practising certificate), typically 10+ years post-admission experience

Experience & Skills

• Substantial experience in native title law, land rights, or a closely related area of First Nations legal practice.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic legal advice at a senior or executive level.
• Track record advising on legal strategy in significant matters where outcomes affect a group or collective.
• Experience coordinating legal work or legal policy matters across jurisdictions, membership groups or network.
• Demonstrated high level partnerships with a range of stakeholders including Government
• Extensive native title knowledge, including legislation, agreement-making, policy and procedures.
• Strong knowledge of relevant Federal and State government laws and processes.
• Excellent written communication and verbal communication across a range of audiences.
• Demonstrated project and case management skills, including balancing priorities, time management and a proactive approach to project design and implementation.
• Strong legal analytical skills, including sound judgement in fast-moving environments.

Benefits

• We offer a competitive salary package
• Hybrid – WFH and Office at flexible work locations: the role can be based in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney or Canberra.
• Purpose driven organisation.

How to apply

If this role sounds like you, please click on the apply button and follow the prompts. Candidates should provide a current resume and cover letter that addresses the key selection criteria from the position description. 

A copy of the position description is available from our website https://nntc.com.au/work-for-us/.  We will be touch if you are shortlisted for this opportunity.  Applications close on Friday 11th September 2026.

If you would like further information or a confidential discussion, please contact Melita Virginie, Human Resources Manager on 0481 367 774.