Head of Recovery at Work & Return-to-Work Programs

Eastern Health; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Monthly day off

Work at other Eastern Health sites

Job summary

Eastern Health is seeking an Associate Director Recovery at Work to lead the Recovery at Work team within the WHS, Emergency Management and Wellbeing Unit. The role guides staff, coordinates key initiatives and ensures compliance with Work Injury, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act to deliver timely return to work programs.

You will establish strong cross-site relationships, oversee claims processes and drive early intervention and trauma-informed practices while supporting the Director WHS,

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and guidance for Recovery at Work teams.
• Ability to analyze WorkCover and Return to Work issues for planning.
• Strong stakeholder relationship-building with internal/external partners.
• Experience building and managing WorkCover/Return to Work systems and processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership, direction and guidance to the Recovery at Work Team.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships across Eastern Health.
• Analyse WorkCover/Return to Work risks and compliance for planning.
• Coordinate claims management processes including Common Law requests and investigations.
• Lead projects and initiatives including Early Intervention and Trauma-Informed practices.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Recovery at Work

Education

Allied health or safety discipline

Job description

• Permanent Full Time | 5 weeks annual leave plus monthly day off
• Box Hill Hospital | Work at other Eastern Health sites as required
• The Associate Director Recovery at Work is a pivotal leadership role within in the WHS, Emergency Management and Wellbeing Unit.

Eastern Health is one of Victoria's largest public health services. As a values-led, integrated service united by our Healthier Together promise, we deliver high-quality care, support and service to a broad and diverse community across Melbourne’s east and beyond.

About the role

The purpose of the role is to provide professional direction, instruction and guidance to team members and support Eastern Health to create a working environment that promotes excellence in Recovery at Work outcomes. The Associate Director will manage, support, co-ordinate and implement key initiatives and provide support to the Director WHS, Emergency Management & Wellbeing to ensure compliance with the Work Injury, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act. The role will lead the Recovery at Work team to enable timely and appropriate return to work programs are developed to support staff who have been injured or become ill at work to return to the workplace as quickly and as safely as possible.

This position involves:

• Provide professional leadership, direction and guidance to the Recovery at Work Team.
• Establish and maintain effective, supportive and collaborative relationships across Eastern Health.
• Critically analyse current and emerging issues and developments in WorkCover and Return to Work management to ensure these matters are incorporated into departmental and organisational planning.
• Coordinate key claims management processes, including Common Law requests and investigations relating to claim liability.
• Lead, manage and oversee projects, programs and initiatives as assigned by the Director WHS, Emergency Management and Wellbeing, including the development of Early Intervention and Trauma Informed practices.

What you’ll bring

• Extensive technical skill and knowledge in WorkCover and Return to Work with an ability to leverage expert knowledge to accomplish results
• Expertise in building WorkCover and Return to Work management systems and processes, and in identifying and mitigating current and emerging risks relating to compliance and performance
• Demonstrated ability to establish, develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Qualifications in an appropriate discipline; allied health or safety.
• The ability to work as part of a diverse team
• Excellent communication and organisational skills

What we offer

Being part of Eastern Health means belonging to a welcoming team of healthcare experts. We offer a range of benefits including:

• Investment in your career through continuous learning, mentoring, professional development, and opportunities to progress into specialist, leadership or advanced practice pathways.
• Work-life balance with flexible working arrangements, study and professional development leave, and leave purchasing options.
• Wellbeing support through fitness programs, confidential employee assistance services for you and your family, and 24/7 access to a range of support resources.
• Financial incentives to help you make the most of your earnings, including salary packaging through Maxxia, novated leasing options, and employee discounts on health insurance, banking and more.

Interested in joining us?

If this opportunity feels like the right fit for you, we'd encourage you to apply and share what you can bring to the role.

You must be eligible to work in Australia. Applications are reviewed as they are received, so we encourage early applications as the advertisement may close prior to the closing date.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to arrange an interview, and all applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application. Appointment to this position is subject to a satisfactory National Police Check, compliance with mandatory vaccination requirements, including annual influenza vaccination, and evidence of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases where required.

Our commitments

• We are an equal opportunity employer and actively promote equality for people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and for people living with disability across the communities we serve and within our Eastern Health team.
• We provide a culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.
• As a child-safe organisation, we ensure child safety and wellbeing is embedded in our everyday culture.
• We are shaping a culture that delivers exceptional care for our community, and an exceptional experience for all the people who make it possible.

Please click here for the position description link

Contact Email: *************@easternhealth.org.au

Job Posting End Date: 30 October 2026

Contact the person listed in the advertisement above for any queries related to the role or for any adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.

Or contact our Talent Acquisition team for support on (03) 9955 7*** (option 1) or ***************@easternhealth.org.au for any assistance with your application.

Our Values in ActionRespect for all | Safe and welcoming | Partnering in care | Innovate, learn and lead

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