Clinical Optical Services Manager

Description

New England Eye is New England College of Optometry’s (NECO) owned and operated clinical system. Our profession’s top ODs, opticians and dedicated staff work alongside optometric students to provide world-class eye care within a state-of-the-art environment located on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston and on Washington Street in Roslindale, MA.

The Clinical Optical Services Manager is a clinical leadership role responsible for the comprehensive management, strategic direction, and operational oversight of the optical departments at the New England College of Optometry (NECO). This position oversees the full spectrum of retail optical services at the Commonwealth Avenue and Roslindale locations, as well as any future NECO-owned sites. As the leader of the optical department, the manager is responsible for making buying and selling decisions, overseeing marketing initiatives, optimizing workflows to improve capture rates and sales, and driving both financial performance and clinical excellence. In addition, this individual will serve as a practicing optician, dedicating approximately 70% of their time to providing optical services to patients and customers. 

NECO offers a competitive starting salary of $95,000, depending on leadership experience, along with a performance-based bonus structure and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, generous paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities Include

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide direct optical services to patients, including frame selection, lens fitting, adjustments, and consultation on eyewear solutions.
• Serve as a service role model, ensuring exceptional service and reinforcing best practices in optical care and patient engagement.
• Stay current with industry developments to offer patients the most up-to-date technology and product recommendations.
• Collaborate with optometrists and clinical faculty to ensure seamless coordination of patient care across vision and optical services.
• Educate optometry students on the full range of optical services available within the optical department.

Manager Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of daily operations across optical locations, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and exceptional customer experience.
• Set and implement goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for opticians and optical services across both NCEC locations, aligning them with institutional priorities and operational goals.
• Understanding vision insurance plans and developing strategies to maximize optical revenue across a wide range of insurers, in collaboration with the Revenue Cycle Manager.
• Develop, document, and implement standard operating procedures to unify workflow, product presentation, and service delivery of optical services at both clinical locations.
• Assume full P&L responsibility for optical services, including budgeting, forecasting, margin improvement, and financial reporting and analysis.
• Analyze sales trends, capture rates, patient conversion, and optical productivity; implement action plans based on data.
• Collaborate with optical staff on all product line decisions, including frame and lens assortments, contact lenses, and accessories.
• Foster relationships with key manufacturers and industry partners to stay abreast of market trends and product innovations.
• Recruit, train and evaluate optical staff; promote a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Owned Clinics to support student training in optical services, including curriculum development and hands-on instruction.
• Design and implement marketing strategies for the Optical Center to increase capture rates, patient volume, and retail sales in conjunction with the Senior Director of Internal Clinics.
• Partner with NECO’s marketing and communications team to develop promotional campaigns and events.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and licensing requirements related to optical dispensing and billing.
• Ensure high standards in service, safety, and patient satisfaction.

Required Qualifications

• Current Massachusetts Optician License. 
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in optical operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role overseeing multi-location optical services.
• Demonstrated success managing retail optical performance, financial accountability, and staff development.
• Deep understanding of vision insurance, optical retail business practices, and EHR systems (Compulink preferred).
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to leadership and a commitment to excellence in optical care services.
• Must be able to travel between NCEC locations on Commonwealth Avenue and in Roslindale.

Preferred Qualifications

• ABO or NCLE Certification.
• Experience working in academic or healthcare-related optical environments.
• Background in training or educational program development within the optical field.

NECO is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.

New England College of Optometry offers a robust benefits program including:

• 3 plan options for BCBS medical coverage (employer subsidized at 75% or greater)
• Mental Health and Wellness benefits
• BCBS Dental
• Discounted vision services
• 13 paid holidays and generous paid time off for sick, vacation, and personal days
• Employer-paid life insurance, and short-term and long-term disability
• Voluntary Insurance: life, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident,
• Voluntary Benefits: employee discounts and pet insurance
• 9% employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan after 1 year of service with no vesting schedule or match requirement
• Qualified Public Service Loan Forgiveness Employer