Optical Practice Manager

Ladybrook Opticians is a small, independent practice in Bramhall, known for its calm pace, personal service, and high standards of care.

We deliberately work differently from high-volume corporate optics. Appointments are unrushed, relationships matter, and we focus on doing things properly rather than pushing numbers.

We are part of the Hakim Group, which means strong back-of-house support (HR, payroll, training, systems), while retaining the autonomy and feel of a genuinely independent practice.

• A genuinely supportive, independent practice environment
• Strong backing from the Hakim Group (HR, payroll, training, systems)
• Mentorship and support from the owner and an experienced Practice Manager across our sister practice
• Part-time hours (3–4 days per week)
• Competitive salary, pro rata, based on experience
• 28 days holiday pro rata (including bank holidays), plus your birthday off
• Professional fees covered (if applicable)
• Free staff eyewear and generous friends & family discounts
• Pension, Simply Health, and Hakim Group benefits
• Free parking

We are looking for an Optical Practice Manager to help run the practice day to day and provide stability, organisation, and leadership as we continue to grow steadily.

This is a hands-on role in a small team and will suit someone who is comfortable both supporting the team on the floor and being involved in dispensing as part of their day-to-day work.

In the short term, having solid dispensing experience will be important, and in the longer term we are looking for someone who can be a reliable and confident dispensing presence within the team, alongside their management responsibilities.

While there is scope to grow into broader responsibility over time, this is not a “fix everything overnight” role. It is a role for someone who wants to build confidence, consistency, and trust first — with support — rather than being dropped into full ownership immediately.

Day-to-day practice leadership

• Running the floor calmly and professionally
• Supporting a small team (currently 3 FTE)
• Creating a positive, organised working environment
• Handling rotas, holidays, and day-to-day people matters fairly and clearly

Dispensing & patient care (core part of the role)

• Being comfortable dispensing across frames and lenses as part of regular clinical days
• Supporting patients through clear, relaxed conversations about their options
• Helping maintain consistency in how dispensing is approached within the practice
• Acting as a steady point of reference for less experienced team members as they develop

Patient experience & standards

• Being a visible, welcoming presence in the practice
• Supporting patients through their journey with warmth and professionalism
• Handling questions or concerns calmly and appropriately

Operations & organisation

• Managing the diary to keep clinics flowing well
• Supporting specialist services such as dry eye and myopia management
• Ensuring systems and processes are followed consistently

Commercial confidence (with support)

• Being comfortable discussing value and options with patients in a natural, patient-first way
• Supporting good-quality dispensing outcomes that align with our ethos
• Being open to coaching and development in this area — perfection is not expected from day one

What Success Looks Like in the First 6 Months

 By around six months into the role, success would look like:

• You feel settled and confident running the practice day to day, with a good grasp of our pace, systems, and ways of working
• The team feels supported, organised, and clear on expectations, with a calm atmosphere on the floor
• Clinics run smoothly, with good diary flow and fewer last-minute pressures
• You are comfortable being involved in dispensing and patient conversations, contributing positively to consistency and quality
• You are starting to identify small, sensible improvements — without feeling the need to change everything at once
• There is trust on both sides, with open communication and regular check-ins rather than firefighting

This role is about building strong foundations first. Broader responsibility and development come naturally once that stability is in place.

Who this role is likely to sui

• Someone with good dispensing experience (qualified Dispensing Optician preferred, but not essential if experience is solid)
• A calm, grounded manager who values quality and consistency
• Someone comfortable balancing hands-on work with leadership in a small team
• A person who is organised, reliable, and happy taking responsibility
• Someone who wants to grow into a long-term role rather than move on quickly

This role is best suited to someone who lives locally or has reliable transport, as consistent presence is important in a small practic

If this sounds like a role where you could bring steady leadership, good dispensing experience, and a calm presence to a small independent practice, we’d love to hear from you.