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- Tasks: Co-own and lead your own IOLLA showroom, managing a retail team and community presence.
- Company: IOLLA, an independent optical brand with a focus on design and customer experience.
- Benefits: Proven business model, founder-led support, and access to product design and manufacturing.
- Why this job: Transform your career from employee to owner with structured support and community impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in optics, strong leadership skills, and a passion for customer service.
- Other info: Join a growing brand in a vibrant Newcastle location with excellent commercial potential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Own and lead your own IOLLA showroom in Jesmond, Newcastle. This is an opportunity to co-own and operate your own IOLLA showroom in a priority UK location, creating a commercially strong independent alternative in one of the North East's most affluent suburbs.
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:
- 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 Newcastle (Jesmond): Jesmond is professional, affluent and socially active. Young professionals, medics, business owners and families. There’s appetite for smart design that doesn’t feel corporate. IOLLA's personality and independence would stand out. This location suits a commercially minded partner who can build community presence quickly.
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 Newcastle employer: IOLLA
Contact Detail:
IOLLA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Joint Venture Partner at IOLLA in Newcastle
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other optical professionals in your area. Attend industry events, join local business groups, and don’t be shy about sharing your ambitions. The more people know you’re looking to co-own an IOLLA showroom, the better your chances of finding the right support and opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for optics! When you meet potential partners or mentors, let your enthusiasm shine through. Share your vision for the IOLLA showroom and how you plan to embed the brand in the community. People love working with those who are genuinely excited about what they do!
✨Tip Number 3
Do your homework on Jesmond! Understand the local market, customer preferences, and competition. This knowledge will not only help you in conversations but also show that you’re serious about making the IOLLA showroom a success. Plus, it’ll give you a leg up when discussing your plans with us.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to kickstart your journey with IOLLA. We’re eager to chat with driven individuals like you who are ready to take the leap into ownership. Don’t wait too long; these opportunities won’t last forever!
We think you need these skills to ace Joint Venture Partner at IOLLA in Newcastle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Optics: When you're writing your application, let your love for the optics industry shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm and how your experience aligns with our vision at IOLLA. Make it personal and relatable!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Joint Venture Partner, you'll be leading your own showroom. So, don’t forget to showcase your leadership experience in your application. Share examples of how you've motivated teams or driven performance in previous roles.
Be Community-Focused: We’re looking for someone who can embed the IOLLA brand in the local community. In your application, mention any community initiatives you've been part of or how you plan to engage with the Jesmond area. Show us you’re ready to make a difference!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do and how we can support 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. Being able to discuss the latest in eyewear technology or customer service strategies will show that you're not just experienced, but also passionate about the field.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or managed a project in the past. IOLLA is looking for someone who can build and manage a retail team, so demonstrating your leadership capability will be key.
✨Understand the Community
Research Jesmond and its demographics. Be ready to discuss how you would embed the IOLLA brand in the community and attract local customers. Showing that you understand the market will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Financials
Since this role involves a capital-backed partnership, be prepared to talk about financial planning and investment. Familiarise yourself with basic financial concepts and be ready to discuss how you would approach profitability in your showroom.