Sanctuary Manager, Newhaven

Australian Wildlife Conservancy

Alice Springs, Alice Springs and Central Australia NT

Conservation, Parks and Wildlife (Farming, Animals and Conservation)

Full time

About AWC: AWC is a pragmatic global conservation leader, restoring landscapes and securing the future of Australia’s most endangered wildlife through science led, measurable impact at scale. Inspired by the richness of Australia’s biodiversity, we are united by a shared commitment to protect its unique animals and habitats.

Delivering this mission depends on One AWC: a cohesive, engaged and high performing organisation, guided by strong leadership and shared values. Every role at AWC contributes to our mission and works collaboratively towards shared conservation, safety and organisational outcomes

AWC’s work is guided by the following values. In pursuing our mission, we are:

Accountable to taking ownership of our actions and outcomes

Informed to working together to acquire and apply evidence, knowledge and experience

Respectful to demonstrating care, recognition and integrity

Dedicated to committed to delivering effective outcomes, with resilience and tenacity

Innovative to applying creative thinking for effective solutions

Sustainable to delivering long-term financial and ecological viability.

About the role:

Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary is currently recruiting for several positions, including Sanctuary Manager, Land Management Officer and Facilities Maintenance Officer.

AWC's Central region spans almost two million hectares across ten sanctuaries and partnership sites in the Northern Territory and South Australia, protecting a rich diversity of threatened species and habitats. Each property brings its own challenges, from fire and invasive species management to ecosystem restoration and visitor management, with more sites potentially to come as part of AWC's ambitious 10-year strategy.

As the Newhaven Sanctuary Manager, you will lead day-to-day operations and manage resources efficiently in line with an approved budget and operations plan, informed by science-based strategies. Working closely with the Regional Ecologist and the wider science team, you'll help design, deliver and measure effective land management, with success reflected in healthy populations of indicator species, reduced threats (unprescribed fire, feral animals and invasive weeds), and delivery of conservation outcomes.

You will lead and support a team that includes Land Management Officers, an Indigenous Ranger Group Coordinator and Indigenous Rangers, and work alongside regional staff, contractors and volunteers. Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager, Central,



you'll also partner with our Philanthropy and Communications team to deliver Supporter Events and promote AWC's work. As a strong advocate for our conservation model, you'll play a key role in showcasing what we achieve on the ground.

Critical competencies:

Getting things done: exceptional planning and organisational skills, including proven ability to coordinate, prioritise and execute a large number of tasks in an efficient manner.

Leadership: This is a key leadership position—you need excellent people management skills, including proven ability leading, recruiting, developing, managing and coordinating remote teams of staff, volunteers and contractors, as well as working effectively with Indigenous partners in a small community.

Collaboration: you need good relationship-building and collaborative skills, including the ability to develop and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including colleagues, Indigenous groups, the broader CLM and scientific community, and other conservation and land management organisations.

Conservation Land management: demonstrated knowledge and practical experience delivering land management programs including:

Planning and hands-on delivery of feral eradication programs both within fenced areas and across unfenced landscapes;

Planning and hands-on delivery of prescribed fire programs, including wildfire response; and

Planning and hands-on delivery of weed management programs.

Financial management: demonstrated ability to help deliver projects in a cost-effective manner and to assist in the management of financial resources including:

Developing and operating within an agreed budget and operational plan for the Sanctuary;

Coding and tracking expenditure and preparing written financial and operational reports; and

Preparing written financial and operational reports.

Infrastructure and asset management: demonstrated knowledge and practical skills in asset maintenance and infrastructure projects including:

Supervising and hands-on implementation of infrastructure projects such as fencing, buildings, services i.e. energy and water systems;

Supervising and implementation of an asset maintenance program; and

Ability to use a wide range of plant and equipment, including performing routine repairs and maintenance (including mechanical).

4WD experience in difficult conditions is essential

Paperwork/compliance: demonstrated ability to maintain records, manage data,



write letters and reports, manage permit/authorization processes and undertake contract management.

Resourcefulness: the ability to improvise and ‘problem-solve’, developing practical solutions with limited resources.

Living in the bush: You will need to have the ability to work in an isolated small team environment and have previous experience of working and living in a rural area, preferably remote.

Information technology: demonstrated competence in using standard business software packages, including Word, Excel and Outlook, as well as other systems and applications used for asset management, safety, human resources and finance.

A passion for conservation: a passion for, or strong interest in, conservation.

Willingness to travel.

Qualifications/Experience:

Formal qualifications in a relevant discipline would be an advantage, but is less important than robust, practical experience and a positive track record of delivering ‘on-ground’ results.

Demonstrated experience in delivering ‘on-ground’ results in land management.

Licenses, Certificates and/or Training:

A valid manual driver’s licence with 4WD experience in difficult conditions is essential. 4WD training can be provided to the successful candidate prior to commencement.

Senior first aid certificate (remote certification to highly desirable).

Valid agricultural machinery licences such as trucks, tractors and other machinery as relevant (desirable).

Valid firearms license (highly desirable).

Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, or willingness to obtain.

PLEASE NOTE: These roles are based at Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary, approximately 4.5 hours north-west of Alice Springs. Basic on-site accommodation is provided, and there are currently several opportunities available, including Sanctuary Manager, Land Management Officer and Facilities Maintenance Officer. The Sanctuary Manager role includes access to a three-bedroom house on site, making it an ideal opportunity for two people who know each other and are comfortable sharing accommodation.

To view the detailed position description for this role, click here: Sanctuary Manager | Newhaven

Join our Journey:

Take the leap and start your next adventure with the AWC! AWC reserves the right to start screening applicants and interviewing throughout the recruitment process.

Applications: To submit an application, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts to complete an online application form.

Your application must include CV and covering letter, briefly addressing the critical competencies listed in the detailed job description attachment.

Posted: 15-08-2026

Salary: Attractive package will be offered to right candidate

📌 Sanctuary Manager (Alice Springs)
🏢 Australian Wildlife Conservancy
📍 Alice Springs