At a Glance
- Tasks: Co-own and lead your own IOLLA showroom, managing a retail team and local performance.
- Company: IOLLA, an independent, design-led optical brand with a people-first approach.
- Benefits: Proven business model, founder-led support, and potential for long-term equity.
- Why this job: Step into true business ownership with structured support and community impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in optics, strong leadership skills, and a drive for ownership.
- Other info: Opportunity to thrive in Bath's affluent, design-conscious market.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Own and Lead Your Own IOLLA Showroom Bath is ready. The question is, are you? You’re experienced in optics. You understand the industry. Now you’re ready for more than employment. We are looking for a Joint Venture Partner in Bath to open a new IOLLA showroom in the near future, establishing a refined, design-led optical destination in this affluent heritage city.
IOLLA is offering a limited number of Joint Venture Partnerships to ambitious optical professionals who want to step into true business ownership with the backing of an independent, founder-led brand. This is an opportunity to co-own and operate your own IOLLA showroom in a priority UK location. Unlike many franchise or independent start-up opportunities, IOLLA's Joint Venture model is designed to be more accessible. With structured support and external funding options, personal capital investment can start from as little as £20,000, depending on location and funding structure.
About IOLLA: Founded in Scotland, IOLLA designs and manufactures its own frames and lenses, selling directly to customers at transparent, honest prices. We operate seven award-winning showrooms and have served hundreds of thousands of customers. We are independent, design-led and people-first - not corporate, not volume-driven, and not built like traditional multiples. We also run our own manufacturing facility, dispatching every single pair ourselves from our Scottish workshop. We are now expanding across the UK with carefully selected Joint Venture Partners.
The Opportunity: As a Joint Venture Partner, you will:
- Co-own and lead your own IOLLA showroom
- Build and manage your own retail team
- Take responsibility for local performance and profitability
- Embed the brand in your community
- Deliver exceptional customer experience, the IOLLA way
You bring the leadership, optical knowledge and ambition. We bring the product, supply chain, systems, brand, marketing and operational support. This is ownership with infrastructure. Not a cold start independent, and not a corporate franchise model.
What’s On Offer:
- A proven, vertically integrated business model
- Founder-led support and partnership
- Full retail, operational and marketing playbook
- Access to our product design and manufacturing advantage
- Ongoing strategic and commercial support
- The opportunity to build long-term equity in your region
Optical retail remains one of the most stable, repeat-purchase categories in UK retail, with predictable demand and strong gross margins. This is a genuine entrepreneurial opportunity for professionals ready to move from employed to owner.
Who We’re Looking For:
- Experienced optical professionals (Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians, Retail Managers, Optical Assistants ready to step up)
- Individuals with strong leadership capability
- Commercially minded and motivated by ownership
- Community-focused and customer-first
- Ready to take accountability for performance, people and growth
You do not need previous business ownership experience but you do need drive, resilience and ambition.
Why Bath: Bath is affluent, design-conscious and beautifully curated. Residents value heritage, craft and aesthetics. Think independent boutiques, galleries, architecture; everything feels considered. An IOLLA showroom here would lean into refinement and quality. Customers would appreciate the balance of modern design and understated luxury. This isn’t a high-volume, discount-driven market = it’s relationship-led, service-first. For an entrepreneurial optician, Bath offers strong local loyalty and customers who invest in pieces that last.
Investment & Commitment: This is a capital-backed partnership opportunity requiring personal investment and external funding. We are looking for serious candidates who are ready to explore ownership properly review financials, sign an NDA and enter structured discussions. We have selected specific priority locations with strong commercial potential. When they are filled, they are filled.
Why IOLLA? Because optics can be better. Better for customers. Better for teams. Better for the professionals who actually run the business. If you’re ready to stop building someone else’s brand and start building your own, with the right support behind you, we’d love to speak. Apply to arrange a no-obligation conversation and explore whether Joint Venture Partnership with IOLLA is right for you.
Joint Venture Partner at IOLLA in Bath employer: IOLLA
Contact Detail:
IOLLA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Joint Venture Partner at IOLLA in Bath
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the IOLLA brand inside out! Familiarise yourself with their products, values, and what makes them stand out in the optical industry. This will not only help you during conversations but also show your genuine interest in becoming a Joint Venture Partner.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with other optical professionals and potential customers in Bath. Attend local events or join community groups to build relationships. The more people know about you and your vision for the IOLLA showroom, the better!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare a solid business plan. Think about how you’ll manage your showroom, your team, and how to embed the IOLLA brand in the community. Having a clear strategy will impress the IOLLA team and show you’re serious about this opportunity.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to reach out through our website! We’re here to support you in exploring this partnership. A no-obligation chat could be the first step towards owning your own IOLLA showroom, so why not take that leap?
We think you need these skills to ace Joint Venture Partner at IOLLA in Bath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for optics and the IOLLA brand shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re genuinely excited about the opportunity to co-own and lead your own showroom.
Highlight Your Experience: Make sure to showcase your relevant experience in the optics industry. Whether you're an optometrist or a retail manager, we want to know how your background has prepared you for this entrepreneurial journey with us.
Be Community-Focused: Since this role is all about embedding the IOLLA brand in Bath, share any past experiences where you've engaged with your community. We love candidates who understand the importance of building relationships and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get the ball rolling on this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at IOLLA
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your optical knowledge and industry trends. IOLLA is looking for someone who understands the optics world inside out, so be ready to discuss your experience and insights in detail.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Joint Venture Partner, you'll need to lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed people or projects in the past. Highlight your leadership style and how it aligns with IOLLA's community-focused approach.
✨Understand the Brand
Familiarise yourself with IOLLA’s values and mission. They pride themselves on being independent and design-led, so think about how you can embody these principles in your showroom and connect with the local community.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the partnership model, support structures, and expectations. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if this opportunity is the right fit for you.