The Optical Confederation speaks and acts as a powerful and co-ordinated voice for UK optical professionals, manufacturers, retailers, distributors and importers. The Head of Policy will lead on a wide range of policy areas through the Optical Confederation including for example health, taxation, consumer rights, employment law, and regulation of the optical labour market, supply and distribution.
You will:
- Horizon scan for legislative, regulatory and other changes that might affect the optical sector;
- Rapidly analyse the possibilities and threats of planned policy developments and legislation;
- Draft board papers as required and advise on positions and actions to take;
- Develop and provide briefings to membership on implications and guidance on implementation;
- Provide bespoke advice to FODO members on regulatory and other matters;
- Oversee FODO Ireland's operations and external affairs;
- Provide support and advice to the Chief Executives of FODO, the Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers (ACLM) and Federation of Manufacturing Opticians (FMO);
- Manage and support the member services and communications teams at FODO;
- Advise committees, secretariats and chairs on key Optical Confederation and sector policy developments;
- Manage and build relationships with key partners in the eye health sector (including in particular the third sector) and stakeholders across primary care, the third sector and government;
- Identify key positions in consultation responses for the Optical Confederation and other partnerships and represent these to government, third parties and occasionally in Europe.
As a minimum the Head of Policy will:
- Have a solid track record of policy achievements;
- Possess first rate analytical and problem solving skills;
- Have experience at building strong relationships with government, officials and regulators;
- Have excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Have an unremitting customer focus;
- Be comfortable with partnership working and achieving consensus through joint positions;
- Be comfortable with business, retail and health care thinking;
- Have experience of commenting on and editing surveys, reports, and press releases;
- Have a clinical or other professional (e.g. legal) background.
About FODO
The Federation of (Ophthalmic and Dispensing) Opticians (FODO) is one of the five representative bodies that make up the Optical Confederation. They represent the interests of opticians, optometrists, and other optical professionals in the UK and Ireland. The Head of Policy will work primarily for FODO (UK and Ireland) with a supporting role for two partner organisations, the Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers (ACLM) and Federation of Manufacturing Opticians (FMO).
The three bodies have diverse membership that includes manufacturers, distributors, individual practitioners, small and medium sized businesses, and all the major family, regional and national chains working to provide better eye health and services for all.
FODO provides membership services and top quality professional indemnity insurance, working to ensure effective and proportionate regulation, and aiming to protect eye health, patients and practitioners.