The Next Step Recruitment Company – Newcastle NSW

We are seeking an experienced Injury Management Lead to take ownership of a mature self insurance workers compensation program within a major industrial operation. This is a senior leadership role requiring a proven self insurance professional who understands the commercial, operational and regulatory complexities of managing workers compensation liabilities, complex claims portfolios and return to work performance. Importantly, this role is not suited to candidates with only scheme based workers compensation experience. Reporting to the Health, Safety and Environment Manager, you will lead the organisation's injury management function, oversee a team of injury management professionals and specialist providers, and drive improved claims outcomes, recovery at work performance and workers compensation cost management. This position has been created as part of a strategic insourcing initiative, providing a rare opportunity to build internal capability, strengthen governance and deliver long term improvements in performance, accountability and employee outcomes.

The Opportunity You will provide strategic oversight of injury management, return to work and workers compensation performance across a large and complex industrial environment.

Leading the organisation's self insurance injury management and return to work framework

Managing complex, litigated and high cost workers compensation claims

Driving reductions in claim duration, claim costs and long term claim exposure

Leading rehabilitation, recovery at work and early intervention strategies

Managing relationships with regulators, claims administrators, legal providers, medical specialists and rehabilitation partners

Supporting self insurance licence compliance, audits and performance reviews





Developing injury management reporting, analytics and executive level insights

Partnering with operational leaders to improve injury prevention and workforce health outcomes

Coaching leaders and building organisational capability in injury management and recovery at work practices

About You To be considered for this position, you must have:

Essential

Minimum 5 years' experience working within a self insured workers compensation environment

Extensive experience managing complex workers compensation claims and injury management programs

Strong understanding of self insurance governance, regulatory obligations and licence requirements

Demonstrated experience improving return to work outcomes and reducing claim liabilities

Experience managing external claims administrators and specialist service providers

Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills

Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands on claims oversight

Highly Regarded

Allied health, rehabilitation, injury management or related tertiary qualifications

Return to Work Coordinator accreditation

Experience within heavy industry, manufacturing, mining, resources, logistics, transport, utilities or other operational environments

Why Apply? This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a critical business function and influence the future performance of a sophisticated self insurance program. You will join a highly visible leadership team, work closely with senior operational stakeholders and have the autonomy to drive meaningful improvements in injury management, workers compensation performance and workforce outcomes.

Additional information

Lead a High Performing Self Insurance Program

Drive business improvements, implement new programs

Permanent full time; market-competitive salary on offer | Newcastle location

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📌 Health and Injury Management Lead (Cooks Hill)
🏢 The Next Step Recruitment
📍 Cooks Hill