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- Tasks: Lead a supportive team and ensure exceptional patient care in a friendly optician practice.
- Company: Join Willetts & Doig, an award-winning independent opticians on the beautiful Isle of Wight.
- Benefits: Enjoy your birthday off, no Sunday shifts, and access to free CPD courses.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patient lives while growing your career in a community-focused environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Dispensing Optician with excellent communication skills and a patient-first approach.
- Other info: Experience a relaxed seaside lifestyle while working in a modern, well-equipped practice.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 38000 £ per year.
What’s in it for you? We’re a friendly, community focused, independent opticians where our people and our patients come first. As our new Dispensing Optician Practice Manager, you’ll be part of the leadership team supporting a close-knit group that values your skills, supports your growth, and encourages you to thrive. You’ll have the freedom to do what’s right for each patient and support our team to the highest standard, without the pressure of quick turnarounds or sales targets.
You will also receive:
- Your birthday off work
- No Sunday or bank holiday working
- Free & regular CPD courses
- Access to Simply Health (claim cashback on healthcare purchases)
- Retail discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
About the Role: Join Our Team as a Dispensing Optician Practice Manager and explore the opportunity to become a Joint Venture Partner with us. Willetts & Doig Opticians have been serving the Cowes community for over 40 years—an independent practice dedicated to exceptional patient care. In 2023/24, we were named Isle of Wight's Optometry Clinic of the Year in the South England Prestige Awards.
We invest in cutting-edge technology: we were the first practice on the Island to introduce Optomap ultra-widefield imaging, enabling us to view up to 80% of the retina safely and painlessly. Comprehensive, patient-focused eye exams last 40 minutes, giving us time to assess eye health deeply and recommend the right products. We offer dedicated services for children, with eye tests available from as young as 1 year old, helping detect issues early. Our retail side is strong – we stock a wide range of designer frames, premium lenses, and specialist sunglasses (including Maui Jim). We run an Eyeplan scheme, giving patients affordable, regular eye care with added benefits such as discounts and insurance.
Why Join Us?
- Clinical Excellence: Work in a supportive, high-quality optometric environment with modern diagnostics.
- Patient-First Culture: Our philosophy centers on building long-term relationships, not rushing through appointments.
- Community Impact: Based in Cowes, you’ll serve an engaged, loyal local community.
- Joint-Venture-Partnership: You will have the opportunity to join us as a partner, and become a key part of our journey as we continue to grow.
The Hakim Group Advantage: Willetts & Doig is part of the Hakim Group, a leading independent optician network reinventing the traditional model. When you join us, you benefit from:
- Back-office support in IT, procurement, HR, finance, and more — so you can focus on patient care.
- Stability and growth: Hakim Group supports its practices to thrive without sacrificing their unique identity.
- A winning, award-winning business: Hakim Group was named Healthcare Business of the Year.
- A hybrid model that balances independence with scale, giving you professional freedom + the benefits of being part of a larger group.
Role & Responsibilities: As a Dispensing Optician Practice Manager at Willetts & Doig, you will:
- Support and guide your team, helping everyone feel confident, valued and ready to deliver brilliant patient care.
- Keep the practice running smoothly, from managing the diary and organising the day-to-day flow, to making sure the space feels welcoming and well looked after.
- Dispense and fit glasses and contact lenses, advising patients on frame choice, lens options, coatings, and lens technologies.
- Work closely with optometrists during the eye exam and after-care process.
- Build lasting relationships with our patients, ensuring their vision needs are met with empathy and expertise.
- Offer expert guidance on eyewear repair, adjustments, and maintenance.
- Help uphold our high standard of patient care, clinical excellence, and use of advanced diagnostic technologies.
- Help your team grow, offering encouragement, training, and gentle guidance to create a happy, motivated working environment.
What You’ll Bring: Qualified as a Dispensing Optician (e.g., FBDO or equivalent), excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a patient-focused approach and strong attention to detail, ability to work well in a tight-knit, independent practice environment. Experience in management is desirable, but if you are looking for your next step in your career, we are open to speaking with you as well.
Location & Getting Here: Practice Address: 21-22 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RY. Cowes is well served by Southern Vectis buses, including Route 1 which connects Cowes to Newport. Visitors and commuters can arrive via Red Funnel ferries: the high-speed Red Jet from Southampton (under 30 minutes) docks right in Cowes. Alternatively, the vehicle ferry from Southampton to East Cowes takes around 60 minutes. Once on the Island, taxis, buses, and cycle hire make getting around easy. Cowes itself is a charming, historic sailing town – working here means enjoying a seaside community, strong local ties, and a relaxed but professional pace of life.
What We Offer: Competitive salary and benefits (to be discussed), investment in your professional development: access to training, CPD, and support via the Hakim Group, a friendly, patient-centric team environment, modern, well-equipped practice with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools.
What’s Next? Click apply now and a member of our recruitment team will be in touch.
Dispensing Optician Practice Manager in Cowes employer: Hakim Group
Contact Detail:
Hakim Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Dispensing Optician Practice Manager in Cowes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the optometry field and let them know you're on the lookout for a new role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings at places like Willetts & Doig.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the practice thoroughly. Understand their values, services, and community impact. This way, you can show them how your skills align perfectly with their patient-first culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to team management and patient care. We want you to feel confident and ready to showcase your experience as a Dispensing Optician Practice Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our friendly, community-focused team.
We think you need these skills to ace Dispensing Optician Practice Manager in Cowes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for optometry shine through! We want to see how much you care about patient care and community service. Share your experiences that highlight your dedication to the field.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Dispensing Optician Practice Manager role. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with our values and the responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We love seeing how you fit into our team!
Be Personable: We’re a friendly bunch, so don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. Use a conversational tone and share anecdotes that reflect your approach to teamwork and patient relationships. We want to know the real you!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity at Willetts & Doig. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hakim Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of dispensing optics and the latest technologies. Familiarise yourself with the specific services offered by Willetts & Doig, like their Optomap imaging and Eyeplan scheme. This will show that you're genuinely interested in the practice and ready to contribute.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Practice Manager, you'll be leading a team and interacting with patients daily. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams or built relationships with patients in the past. Highlight your communication skills and patient-focused approach during the interview.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Willetts & Doig values collaboration, so be ready to discuss how you can support and motivate your team. Share experiences where you've fostered a positive working environment or helped colleagues grow. This will demonstrate that you align with their community-focused ethos.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the practice's future, their approach to patient care, or opportunities for professional development. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the practice is the right fit for you.