Creating opportunities to support the transition to civilian life

Each year, an estimated 6000 military personnel transition to civilian life, bringing with them a unique skillset developed through the structured training and diverse experiences from their time in Defence. At JLL, recognising the value of these skills has become a cornerstone of recruitment efforts targeting veterans.

These initiatives have resulted in veterans making up 4.10% of all new hires nationally in 2024, more than double the year prior.

While the quantitative data is impressive, it’s the qualitative insights that highlight the success of JLL’s Veteran Engagement Program (VEP) for both veterans and hiring managers alike.

Mathew Bennett, who served in the Australian Defence Force for 20 years before joining JLL in 2021 as a Project Manager, demonstrates the program’s targeted support for veterans. He was looking for civilian employment when he found his JLL role on LinkedIn.

Bennett’s experience speaks to the program’s support of veterans, spouses and families from all ranks and services, “JLL made me feel welcome and understood my Defence background, making the transition very smooth,” he said.

Bennett highlights, “The similarities between the two fields were very apparent to me within the first six months.

“Soldiers learn project management skills in Defence without formal training. We demonstrate all the soft skills in action, which are directly transferable to roles like project management. This is why veterans often find transitioning into such roles a natural progression after leaving the service,” Bennett said.

Launched in 2022, the VEP was a natural extension of JLL’s work with the Department of Defence. As with all account-based roles, having a specialist understanding of the client is critical and the perspective of veterans in this context is no exception. This pathway offers a streamlined transition for JLL’s veteran hires, with the opportunity to work on projects or facilities tailored to their unique service experiences which enables them to truly excel.

There is also allowance for individual desires, such as Mr Bennett’s continued role as an ADF Reservist.

“We want candidates to know they're going to feel supported,” said JLL Defence Lead Geoff Camp.

Since its inception, the program has evolved into a comprehensive framework. Beginning with recruitment, it includes training for HR and hiring managers to ensure they’re fully equipped to align military experience with JLL’s requirements.

Camp said, “We've tried to make the program broad and flexible with the understanding that no two veterans or partners or family members are going to have the same set of circumstances. We've got processes, systems, frameworks and playbooks in place, as well as people that are able to help with the interpretation and application of those to set people up for success.”

With teams working across all areas of commercial real estate, JLL’s requirements have expanded. So too, has the representation of veterans in roles outside the Defence estate. This shift has been an important part of JLL’s evolving workforce, ensuring the team can have a diverse career trajectory. Of the new hires, representation has increased across leasing, capital markets and corporate functions, including finance and marketing.

In 2025, Andrew Ballantyne has been appointed Executive Sponsor of the VEP, alongside his role as Head of Research for Australasia and Managing Director - NSW.

“Our research shows that fostering a sense of community is key to attracting and retaining top talent. Former military personnel especially resonate with strong camaraderie amongst teams, and at JLL, a cohesive and diverse workplace culture is integral.

“The VEP team’s efforts are commendable. They’ve invested significant time in listening to ex-personnel, understanding the barriers to entering the civilian workforce, and using these insights to inform JLL’s strategies for recruitment and creating fulfilling career pathways,” Ballantyne said.

While veteran recruitment continues to grow year-on-year, JLL’s focus extends beyond mere numbers. The company is committed to creating a supportive company culture and ecosystem that includes mentoring, networking opportunities, and recognition of veterans and their families for the sacrifices made during the time in and around Defence.

Ultimately, it’s about giving back.

Veterans interested in a career in property can learn more about opportunities at JLL here.