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

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. A FIFO arrangement may be considered for an exceptional candidate; however, it is preferable that the successful candidate be willing to relocate to South Hedland. The position directs the Heritage and Ranger teams, and ensures PJAC is able to meet legal, legislative, agreement, heritage, and cultural responsibilities.

The Heritage Manager will liaise with internal and external stakeholders including other PJAC management team and staff members, elders & seniors, members and various commercial, government, and industry stakeholders to ensure timely and compliant outcomes for the Corporation.

Responsibilities

• Manage compliance of various grants and programs.
• Lead, build and maintain positive strategic working relationships with all levels of State & Federal Government and industry stakeholders, including high level negotiations.
• Lead funding negotiations to secure new programs and enhance existing programs.
• Liaise and appoint external consultants, where necessary.
• Oversee funding and budget requirements and all reporting required for the grants/agreements.
• Lead discussions with all external stakeholders such as State & Federal Government, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain electronic and manual files and keeping records up to date, secure and accessible, as appropriate.
• Adhere to compliance procedures.
• Attend Board and other key meetings, as required.
• Coordinate all PJAC heritage and land management related work.
• Day-to-day management of Heritage team and activities.
• Provide leadership and supervision to the Native Title, heritage, and environment team, managing budgets, performance, systems and processes to achieve high-quality outcomes.
• Coordinate Native Title, heritage and environment engagement activities, ensuring consultation processes are well planned, culturally appropriate and support informed decision‑making.
• Ensure safe working practices are followed for all heritage field activities.
• Work with consultants to collect and register cultural heritage data for integration with mapping and record keeping systems.
• Provide advice regarding s18 and other applications under the Native Title Act.
• Co‑ordinate timely responses to activity notices.
• Support the development of a Heritage Information Management System (ArcGIS).
• Work to repatriate cultural materials, including heritage data.
• Refine heritage incident investigation procedures and processes.
• Review all systems, policy and procedures annually for compliance.
• Lead the preparation of operational reports, engagement updates and communications that support transparency, accountability and informed governance.
• Provide strategic advice and guidance on Native Title and cultural matters.
• Other duties as directed by the CEO.

Behavioural Expectations

• 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.
• 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

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Environmental Science, Heritage Management, Archaeology; Anthropology, Native Title, Law, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing Aboriginal land and cultural heritage and leading a team of Heritage officers to conduct heritage surveys.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively, collaboratively and respectfully with Traditional Owners.
• Experience (5 years minimum) in stakeholder engagement, negotiations, and leadership within environmental and heritage contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and oversee heritage and environmental consultations, compliance activities, and strategic projects.
• Highly developed interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders.
• Managing information systems to maintain records and generate reports.
• Ability to successfully work remotely and autonomously.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Adobe Suite.
• Ability to lead and negotiate at a strategic level.
• Demonstrated adherence to a high standard of professional principles to ensure honesty, integrity and ethical decision‑making in all situations.
• A high level of confidentiality, discretion and judgment.
• Strong verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Cross cultural competency.

Licences and Accreditations

• Cleared National Police Check.
• Working with Children Check.
• First Aid accreditation (or willingness to obtain).

Location and Salary

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

A competitive salary package will be negotiated with the successful applicant based on qualifications and experience.

How to apply

Required application documents: Resume and cover letter.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Applications close 14th August 2026.

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