• Newman, Western Australia
• Full-time, permanent

Career-defining senior leadership role supporting Martu-led Country work across the Western Desert.

Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa, known as KJ, is seeking a grounded, capable and experienced senior leader to guide KJ’s Country Program and support four Martu Ranger Teams caring for Country across remote communities and on Country.

This is not a standard desk-based leadership role. It is an opportunity to lead work that matters across one of Australia’s most significant desert landscapes.

The role offers a base salary of $120,000–$150,000, depending on experience, plus 12% superannuation, generous salary packaging options, housing in Newman, 8 weeks annual leave, personal travel support, professional development and relocation support.

About KJ

Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa is a Martu organisation working with Martu to keep culture strong, care for Country and build strong, sustainable communities across the Western Desert.

KJ works across a large and remote region, supporting Martu priorities through programs connected to Country, culture, communities, families, young people, livelihoods and leadership.

KJ’s work is grounded in Martu knowledge, cultural authority, strong relationships and practical action. We work alongside Martu to support strong culture, healthy Country, strong families and sustainable communities.

Why this role matters

Martu are the Traditional Owners of the Martu Native Title Determination and Karlamilyi National Park, covering approximately 15 million hectares across three desert bioregions.

KJ’s Country Program supports Martu to care for Country, pass on cultural knowledge, strengthen livelihoods and maintain strong connections between people, Country and community.

The work is practical, cultural, environmental and deeply relational. It includes on-Country trips, Ranger work, cultural knowledge transfer, threatened species work, fire management, waterhole and cultural site work, partnerships, planning, reporting and long-term support for Martu priorities.

As Area Lead – Country Program, you will help turn Martu priorities into strong land management strategies, practical work plans and well-supported on-Country outcomes.

The opportunity

As Area Lead – Country Program, you will provide steady, visible and practical leadership to KJ’s Country Program and the people delivering it.

You will work closely with the General Manager Culture and Country Programs, Ranger Coordinators, Martu Rangers, Cultural Advisors, specialist staff and external partners.

Your role will be to help turn Martu priorities into strong land management strategies, practical work plans and well-supported on-Country outcomes.

You will lead people, support Ranger Teams, work with Cultural Advisors and community members, manage program delivery, strengthen partnerships and help ensure Martu ways of working are embedded across KJ.

This role requires regular presence in remote communities, time on Country, and the ability to stay calm and constructive when plans change because of weather, cultural obligations, community priorities or operational realities.

It is suited to someone who can hold both the big picture and the practical detail: people leadership, community relationships, cultural respect, strategy, budgets, reporting, safety, partnerships and day-to-day delivery.

What you will lead

In this role, you will:

• Lead, manage and mentor the Country Program team.
• Provide leadership and coordination across four Martu Ranger Teams.
• Support and guide staff working across remote communities.
• Work with Martu Rangers, Cultural Advisors and the General Manager to set annual priorities and work plans.
• Oversee the planning, delivery and reporting of on-Country land management activities.
• Ensure work is guided by Martu priorities, cultural authority and KJ’s Country, Culture and Communities Framework.
• Support staff wellbeing, performance and development in complex operating environments.
• Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with Martu individuals, families, communities and partners.
• Manage program budgets, reporting, acquittals and funding accountability.
• Identify funding opportunities and contribute to grant applications and funder relationships.
• Build productive relationships with environmental NGOs, technical partners, government agencies and other stakeholders.
• Work across KJ to help ensure Country, culture and Martu ways of working inform the broader organisation.

The kind of person who will thrive here

We are looking for someone with maturity, humility, resilience and care.

• You may have led Indigenous Ranger programs, land management teams, conservation programs, NRM initiatives, community development work, remote operations, environmental programs or complex place-based initiatives.
• You do not need to have done this exact role before. But you do need to understand remote work, cross-cultural leadership and the importance of showing up consistently.
• You will be a strong fit if you are someone who:
• Builds trust through presence, listening and follow-through.
• Can lead people through complexity without becoming reactive or rigid.
• Understands that cultural authority, community priorities and relationships matter.
• Can move between field realities, team leadership, strategy, budgets, reporting and partnerships.
• Is confident making decisions, but humble enough to listen and learn.
• Can support staff while also holding clear expectations.
• Is organised, calm and practical.
• Wants work with purpose, not just a senior title.
• Is willing to spend meaningful time in remote communities and on Country.

What you will bring

We are looking for someone with:

• Substantial experience working in remote, cross-cultural settings with Indigenous Ranger teams or communities.
• Qualifications and/or substantial experience in natural resource management, land management, environmental management, conservation, community development or a related field.
• Strong people leadership capability, including mentoring, staff support and performance management.
• Sound judgement and practical problem-solving skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, community expectations and stakeholder relationships.
• Confidence working across day-to-day logistics, reporting, budgets, funding and partnerships.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to remote communities and spend time on Country.
• Current manual C Class driver’s licence, or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain a satisfactory National Police Check and Working with Children Check.
• Experience in community development, grant management, funding acquittals, partnership management or Indigenous Protected Area/Ranger Program delivery would be highly regarded.

What KJ offers

KJ offers a strong employment package that recognises the seniority of the role and the realities of living and working remotely.

The package includes:

• Base salary of $120,000–$150,000, depending on experience.
• 12% superannuation.
• Generous salary packaging options, including remote area benefits where eligible.
• Housing in Newman, subject to KJ policy.
• 8 weeks annual leave for Newman-based staff.
• Rostered days off.
• Personal flight/travel allowance.
• Mobile phone allowance.
• Professional development allowance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Relocation support, subject to conditions.
• Salary packaging benefits depend on individual circumstances.

Why join KJ?

KJ offers something different from a standard senior leadership role.

This is an opportunity to be part of a Martu-led organisation where the work is grounded in Country, culture, community and long-standing relationships.

As Area Lead – Country Program, you will not be leading from a distance. You will be close to the work, the people and the decisions that matter. You will support Martu Rangers, Cultural Advisors, community leaders and staff to deliver practical, culturally grounded work with real meaning and long-term impact.

This role will ask a lot of you: patience, humility, resilience, sound judgement and the ability to keep showing up when the work is complex. It will also give a lot back.

At KJ, leadership is not just about managing programs. It is about building trust, backing people, respecting cultural authority, making good decisions and helping create the conditions for Martu to remain strong on Country.

This is more than a senior job. It is an opportunity to lead with purpose, learn deeply and be part of work that stays with you.

Before you apply

This role is not suited to someone seeking a predictable, office-based management position.

It is suited to a grounded, capable leader who is comfortable working in remote settings, can build strong relationships, and can hold direction even when conditions change.

The right person will understand that this work takes time, trust and consistency. They will be ready to work in ways shaped by Martu priorities, cultural authority, community realities and the practical demands of remote delivery.

If you are looking for senior leadership work with purpose, complexity and genuine impact, we would welcome your application.

To submit your application, please click ‘Apply Now’ by the closing date.

For a confidential discussion, please contact: [email protected] using the subject line: Area Lead - Martu Country Program - Newman enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.