Return to Work Specialist
12-Month Fixed-Term | Melbourne Airport | Flexible Work Options | Attractive Salary Package
About the Organisation
Our client is a national, government-owned organisation delivering safe, secure, and efficient services to Australia’s aviation industry. Each year, they manage more than four million aircraft movements and provide critical air navigation and emergency services across 11% of the world’s airspace. From air traffic control to aviation firefighting and corporate services, they support a truly unique workforce operating across complex, safety-critical environments.
As the organisation continues to innovate and embed new ways of working, they are seeking a highly capable Return to Work Specialist to join their People & Culture team and support workforce health, readiness, and performance.
About the Role
This is no ordinary case management role. As the Return to Work Specialist, you’ll provide expert support in managing cases of non-work-related injury, illness, and Fitness for Duty (FFD)—with a focus on reducing unplanned leave and supporting operational readiness across the business.
You’ll partner with operational leaders nationally to resolve complex or prolonged absences, interpret medical evidence, manage external referrals, and provide guidance that balances enterprise obligations, employee wellbeing, and organisational performance. It’s a hands-on, people-centric role with influence and variety—supporting the people who keep Australia’s skies safe.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage complex cases of illness, injury, and fitness for duty, ensuring safe, timely outcomes for both the organisation and the employee.
- Partner with operational line leaders to navigate absenteeism, participate in case conferences, and provide strategic advice.
- Liaise with medical professionals and coordinate external referrals and assessments.
- Draft and manage professional medical correspondence and documentation.
- Develop resources and collateral that help leaders manage absence and RTW best practice.
- Maintain accurate case documentation in line with enterprise reporting and compliance standards.
- Build trusted relationships across key internal and external stakeholders.
About You
- Extensive case management experience in large, complex organisations (e.g. aviation, defence, healthcare, mining, or infrastructure).
- Sound understanding of Fitness for Duty and Return to Work practices, particularly in relation to non-work-related matters.
- Skilled in interpreting and advising on enterprise agreements and workplace legislation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort drafting medical correspondence and reports.
- A natural collaborator who builds trust quickly and can balance empathy with performance outcomes.
- Self-driven, organised, and able to manage a busy caseload independently.
Why Join?
- Influence outcomes across a nationally significant workforce.
- Work in a high-trust, high-impact role where people outcomes meet operational priorities.
- Enjoy genuine flexibility (WFH options available) and on-site parking at Melbourne Airport.
- 12-month fixed-term contract with meaningful scope and opportunity to make an impact.
- Highly attractive salary package
Please apply with current resume in Microsoft Word format only (.doc or .docx). If you would like to have a confidential discussion, please contact William Stock on william.stock@davidsonwp.com, quoting reference JN -042025-40086. Want to know more about Davidson? Visit us at www.davidsonwp.com
