Supporting a relocation for a Defence mum
We helped Anne Toh relocate her role from Melbourne to Canberra mid-pandemic so she could be closer to her son
| Spotlight | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sourcing and Procurement | 2020 | Canberra |
Challenge
Anne is one of JLL’s most valued employees, working with us since 2019 as the head of vendor and contracts management in Melbourne. As part of that role, Anne manages our supplier relationships and compliance, as well as sustainability and diversity procurement.
Anne’s only child Joe was accepted into the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra in 2020. As a single mum, she was eager to move to Canberra to be near him, but Australia had strict COVID-19 lockdowns in place at the time, making it difficult for her to relocate as her son embarked on his military career.
Approach
Anne, a career-driven manager, discussed her situation with her manager and it was agreed that her role could be relocated from Melbourne to Canberra. JLL would fully support her in the relocation process, including accessing government lockdown exemptions.
Anne has also been able to access flexible working arrangements, including taking time off when her son is on leave and working remotely when he is travelling for extended periods so they can spend time together.
On top of the challenges imposed by the pandemic, Anne also experiences health issues which require her to see a doctor frequently. She has the flexibility to work hours that best suit her medical schedule.
Result
JLL guided Anne through her whole relocation process, ensuring she was able to perform her role in quality workspaces, obtain the flexibility she needed, and be near her family. With the support of her manager, Anne received government consent to relocate to Canberra within two weeks of applying.
“I am overwhelmed at the opportunities to grow in a flexible environment and amazed at the incredible culture JLL fosters to promote a sense of belonging and acceptances for individuals from different backgrounds,” she says.
The change for Anne has actually allowed her to excel in her role. She has gained exposure to interstate stakeholders and continuous learning and development opportunities that she may not have received in Melbourne. As a result, Anne was recognised and promoted in May 2022 to regional transformation manager, APAC.
Anne’s son is also preparing to graduate as a navy officer.
Join our Talent Network
Let's stay connected. Our Talent Network is the ideal place to enhance your job search, speed up the application process or simply learn more about life at JLL.
