Business Development Associate - Optics

Specsavers; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Birthday off

Annual leave

Headspace access

We Care

Job summary

Specsavers Home Visits is seeking a Business Development Associate to drive opportunities within the community and care home sector across the region. You will identify prospects, secure new business, and build lasting relationships with GP practices, sheltered accommodation providers, and local community groups.

The role combines business development with optics, offering diary ownership, potential clinic support, and events like coffee mornings.

Qualifications

• Proven business development experience or strong interest in optics
• Experience in or willingness to learn optical side of the business
• Valid driving licence and willingness to travel across the region

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new business opportunities across the region, building relationships with GP practices, care homes, sheltered accommodation providers, and community groups
• Organise and run small events to raise brand awareness and support community engagement
• Support optometrist clinics when trained, including occasional clinic visits and aftercare
• Manage your own diary and travel across the region to deliver high-quality services to patients and clients

Skills

Business development

Optical experience

Relationship building

Job description

We are looking for a Business Development Associate to join our Optics team. In this role, you will be identifying, acting upon and securing new business opportunities across our region within the community and care home sector. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who either have proven business development experience and are keen to develop their knowledge and skills within optics, or experienced Optical Assistants who are looking for career progression and the opportunity to develop their career further within the optical sector. You will manage your own diary, whilst ensuring the delivery of a high-quality professional service to patients and clients that we support in their own homes and in some care home settings. You must be confident in building and maintaining relationships, as this role will involve generating new business and forging strong relationships with GP practices, sheltered accommodation/independent living providers, and local community organisations. You will help organise and run small events such as coffee mornings and presentations to external organisations and groups, helping to raise brand awareness across the region and support our wider community engagement. The Role Once you are trained in optics, you will travel across the region to support an Optometrist in carrying out eyecare clinics, as well as providing aftercare. This may include fitting glasses, carrying out minor repairs, pre-screening and dispensing glasses on testing days. Our region covers - Kings Lynn, Swaffham, March, Wisbech, Downham Market, Dereham, Sheringham, Haverhill, Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge. In short, you will play an important role in making sure every customer receives a professional service and a great experience with us. For the right candidate, this is a unique opportunity to combine business development with a career in optics. If you have a proven track record in generating and securing new business, we will support you in learning the optical side of the role. Equally, if you are an experienced Optical Assistant looking for your next career step, this role provides the opportunity to build on your existing optical knowledge whilst developing your business development, networking and relationship-building skills. The successful candidate will primarily focus on business development for 4 or 5 days a week, although, once trained, you may be required to assist with clinics and other optical duties depending on business needs.

About Specsavers Home Visits

Our passion is to deliver outstanding customer care, combined with sound dispensing advice and product recommendations that best suit individual customer needs. In addition to the highest quality equipment, we aim to provide both our customers and team with an excellent overall environment. At Specsavers, we treat people as we would wish to be treated. You will be supported by a well-trained and motivated team. Our expectation is that you will share our vision to provide our patients with the very best professional service, as well as exceptional customer care, on every Home Visit.

What We Offer

• Hours: 4 or 5 days per week, Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 5.30pm. A degree of flexibility is required when out on visits.
• Proven Business Development Experience: You will have a strong track record of identifying opportunities, securing new business and building long-term professional relationships. You will be keen to learn the optical side of the business and develop your knowledge within optics.
• Experienced Optical Assistant: You will already have experience working within optics and be looking for the next step in your career. You may be looking to move beyond a traditional Optical Assistant role and develop your skills in business development, networking and community engagement, whilst continuing to use and build upon your existing optical knowledge.
• Salary: £27,000-£29,000 per annum, depending on experience (pro rata if part-time).
• Fully expensed company car
• 20 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata)
• Birthday off
• Business accredited with Great Place to Work
• Additional benefits including free access to Headspace and We Care

You do not necessarily need to have experience in both areas. What is most important to us is that you have the right attitude, are confident building relationships, are commercially minded or keen to develop those skills, and have a genuine interest in delivering an excellent experience for our patients and clients. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to progress their career within optics whilst taking on a varied role that combines patient care, optical support, business development and community engagement. You must be a confident driver and have a full and clean driving licence.