About Queensland South Native Title Services

Queensland South Native Title Services (QSNTS) is a Native Title Service Provider funded by the Australian Government to assist Traditional Owners in pursuing and exercising their native title rights and interests through the provision of statutory services under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

We are passionate about the work we do and the values by which we operate. We are committed to building trusted partnerships and walking alongside Traditional Owners, ensuring they have the information, time and support needed to make strong and informed decisions throughout the native title journey.

Our team of professionals is committed to the QSNTS Way: right people, right country, right path.

About the role

As the Negotiation Specialist with QSNTS, you will provide expert leadership in the negotiation of agreements on behalf of our clients, ensuring negotiated outcomes advance the aspirations, rights and long-term interests of Traditional Owners, Native Title Holders, applicants and Prescribed Bodies Corporate.

Reporting to the Principal Lawyer, you will lead complex agreement-making across QSNTS, including Future Act negotiations, Cultural Heritage Management Plans, Indigenous Land Use Agreements, carbon and environmental market agreements and other commercial agreements affecting native title rights and interests. Working collaboratively with the Legal Division and the Development & Engagement Division, you will ensure negotiations are informed by each client's aspirations, cultural governance and economic development objectives, and capable of practical implementation and long-term benefit.



As QSNTS' technical lead in agreement-making, you will also mentor legal practitioners and develop best practice negotiation frameworks.

This is a full-time, fixed-term position based in Brisbane. Travel within Queensland and weekend work are required.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will:

- Lead complex negotiations for clients across Future Act matters, Cultural Heritage Management Plans, Indigenous Land Use Agreements, carbon and renewable energy projects and commercial partnerships.
- Develop negotiation strategies and represent QSNTS and its clients with governments, local authorities, industry proponents and other stakeholders.
- Provide specialist advice to Lead Solicitors and legal teams, and support the drafting and review of agreements and settlement documentation.
- Work with anthropologists, Development Officers and other specialists to ensure agreements are culturally informed and capable of practical implementation.
- Mentor legal practitioners and deliver training to build negotiation capability across the Legal Division.
- Oversee fee-for-service and cost recovery negotiation matters, including scoping, costing and budget management.
- Report to the Principal Lawyer and contribute to Executive reporting, precedents and practice resources.

About you

To be successful,



you will bring:

- Admission as a legal practitioner with a current Queensland Practising Certificate and enrolment on the High Court Roll of Practitioners.
- A minimum of 5 years post-admission experience in negotiations, litigation and/or native title law.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder negotiations, including Future Act agreements, Cultural Heritage Management Plans, ILUAs or comparable commercial or statutory agreements.
- Strong knowledge of native title, cultural heritage, corporations, contract, trust and property law, and Indigenous land rights legislation.
- High-level legal drafting, strategic thinking and influencing skills, with the ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Experience mentoring legal practitioners and working collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
- Knowledge of the cultural, political, economic, environmental and social issues affecting First Nations people.
- Willingness to travel within Queensland, undertake weekend work, and hold a current open driver's licence.

What we offer

We offer a range of employee benefits and programs designed to promote work-life balance, career development, and personal growth. Some of the employee benefits that we offer include:

- Competitive salary packages
- Salary Sacrifice
- Adaptable working arrangements
- Generous leave entitlements
- Employee assistance program
- Cultural awareness training
- Health and well-being initiatives
- Additional 7-Day paid shutdown during the Christmas / New Year period

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📌 Negotiation Specialist (Queensland)
🏢 Exant Advisory
📍 Queensland