See how to become an optical practice manager with our career guide

What is an Optical Practice Manager?

Can you combine a passion for healthcare with a head for business? Have you got the people skills to support customers and a team? An Optical Practice Manager is responsible for a team of people in an optical practice and for business growth.

You will need to be passionate about optics and clinically minded. Your focus will be on customer service as well as commercial aspects. Commercially minded, you will be familiar with key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets.

What does an optical practice manager do?

You will take responsibility to drive forward sales whilst maintaining customer satisfaction.

You will manage/coach a team of people and train and mentor them. Your fantastic communication skills will help you motivate the team to meet objectives.

You are responsible for making sure the team remain safe and legal in their roles.

You will work closely with the owners/directors to drive the business forward through target setting and monitoring outcomes. You will input into business decisions.

You may be involved in buying decisions for items like frames and lenses.

You may also carry out some administrative duties, like planning eye tests and contact lens clinics and staff rotas.

What do you get from this role?

The job can offer a range of different working patterns. It gives you a chance to interact with people and know that you are making a difference to their lives by providing eyewear, eyecare and advice.

You can influence the success of people in your team through their training, development, coaching and mentoring.

You can play an important part in the success of the business through planning and the achievement of KPIs.

What do you need to apply?

Whilst there may not be any educational requirements, it is likely that you will have some previous management or supervisory experience.

What skills do you need?

You will be commercially, people and quality focused.

You will have a strong passion for eyecare and development of your team.

You will have excellent communication skills.

Great customer service will be one of your goals.

What does your working day look like?

You will likely have responsibilities from opening and closing the practice, managing teams, training employees, dealing with finances and ordering stock.

You will deal with more complex and contentious customer service issues.

You will monitor business and individual performance.

You will plan and ensure the correct staffing for daily requirements.

How may a training programme work?

There may be many in-house training and development opportunities for you.

In addition, ABDO offer Management & Leadership training courses accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and leading to a recognised qualification.