Overview
We've got an exciting new opportunity for a Lead Optometrist to guide and inspire our teams across South Warwickshire University Foundation Trust (SWFT) and George Eliot Hospital (GEH). This role has been created to strengthen leadership and redesign services so we can keep delivering the very best care for our patients.
Ideal Candidate
* Passionate about eye care and ready to lead from the front.
* Innovative and proactive, with a knack for solving problems and improving services.
* Supportive and approachable, helping our team feel valued and empowered.
What you'll be doing
* Leading the Optometry department and shaping services for patients in South Warwickshire and Nuneaton.
* Using your clinical expertise to provide specialist care for adults and children.
* Working closely with colleagues and partners to plan and develop services for the future.
* Representing Optometry and Ophthalmology at key meetings across the Trust and the wider Coventry & Warwickshire community.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will display a high profile, be accessible and responsive as a clinical leader with management responsibility for the Optometrists and optometry service delivery in George Eliot, Warwick and Stratford Hospitals. Responsibilities include delivering high‑quality patient experience, care and outcomes, making informed decisions within the scope of practice, involving patients and the public to ensure agreed standards, targets and objectives, and collaborating with Ophthalmology and operational teams to align the service with the ophthalmology strategy.
About us
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust has been rated outstanding by the CQC and is 4th nationally for recommended place to work. We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond, for hospitals in Warwick, Stratford‑upon‑Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston‑on‑Stour, and community services across the county. Our values are: trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care. We encourage all applicants to complete a short equity, diversity and inclusion survey.
Responsibilities
* Lead the Optometry department, ensuring high‑quality patient experience and timely delivery of services.
* Provide specialist clinical care for adults and children with sight‑threatening acute and chronic conditions.
* Make clinical decisions informed by evidence and patient needs, involving patients and the public in care planning.
* Collaborate with other trusts, ophthalmology, medical and nursing teams to shape service strategy.
* Represent the department at clinical and governance meetings across the Trust and the wider community.
* Support the development of audit, research and teaching activities within the department.
Qualifications
Essential
* Registered Optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC).
* BSc in Optometry or equivalent qualification.
* Master’s degree or equivalent advanced training in a relevant subject.
* Independent/non‑medical prescriber qualification.
* Management qualification or completion of a management programme.
Desirable
* and assessing qualification.
Experience
Essential
* Significant experience at Band 7 or above.
* Highly developed specialist experience across a wide range of ophthalmic case mix.
* Evidence of organisational and leadership skills.
* Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
* Experience in change management and problem solving.
* Experience working across organisational boundaries.
* Team building and staff development.
* Experience of clinical leadership and operational management.
* Experience of budget management.
* Portfolio of evidence covering specialist practice, research & audit, team leadership, financial awareness, mental capacity assessment, and service development.
Desirable
* Evidence of lecturing, presenting and clinical teaching experience.
* Lead in audit or research projects.
Skills
* Detailed knowledge of current best practice in relevant clinical areas.
* Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application.
* Ability to influence and build effective relationships among staff, leaders and the team.
* Highly developed analytical and judgement skills.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills.
* Negotiation and diplomacy skills.
* Ability to work autonomously, plan, organise, prioritise and delegate.
* Ability to work under pressure and cope in a stressful environment and with emotional/aggressive patients and carers.
* Ability to understand and analyse professional and ethical issues and apply them to service development.
Personal Qualities
* Ability to work autonomously.
* Practical and calm under pressure.
* Motivated and enthusiastic.
* Adaptable and flexible.
* Innovate and intuitive.
* Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* Ability to manage and lead a team.
* Excellent role model.
* Able to express self clearly and confidently in verbal and written form.
* Demonstrates commitment and ability to teach others.
* Able to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances.
* Able to achieve personal objectives.
Other Job Requirements
* Excellent communication skills – written and verbal.
* Ability to influence and negotiate at all levels.
* Independent means of transport.
* Non‑smoker in work hours.
* Flexible to meet the needs of the service.
* Aware of current NHS issues and priorities.
Contract and Benefits
Band: 8a
Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working
Location: Warwick Hospital, Warwick CV34 5BW
Reference number: 203-EL1024
Date posted: 05 January 2026
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