Job summaryThis is a leadership role within Optometry in the Head and Neck clinical service unit, at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. As Deputy Head of Optometry, you will assist in leading the operational delivery, professional standards and strategic direction of a Leeds wide Optometry service in acute and community pathways, while also maintaining an expert clinical role within a highly specialised service. The post is primarily based at St Jamess University Hospital and works across multiple sites and partner settings.
Main duties of the jobWe are looking for an experienced hospital optometrist with the clinical authority and management capability to help lead service improvement, manage and develop staff, and work effectively with senior clinical and operational colleagues. This role will suit someone who wants to combine expert practice with strong team leadership skills, values high standards, and is motivated to assist in expanding and shaping services for patients across a large teaching Trust.
About usThe Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to delivering the highest quality and safest treatment and care to every patient, every time.
Our vision is to provide the highest quality specialist and integrated care.
We will do this through delivery of our multi-year goals and strategic priorities, which you can read about on this page.
Central to it all is The Leeds Way our values and behaviours that are at the heart of everything we do.
DetailsDate posted: 02 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8b
Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 001794
Job locations: St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesShortlisting Date: 16.09.26
Interview Date: 01.10.26
Why you should join our TeamThe Optometry service is part of a major Ophthalmology Department within one of the largest teaching hospital trusts in the NHS. The team delivers highly specialised core and enhanced Optometry patient services across paediatric and adult pathways, supports tertiary work, contributes to teaching and clinical research, and plays an important part in wider service development across Ophthalmology. This is a large enthusiastic team of 18 optometrists, a dispensing optician manager and optometry administration staff, with a strong professional identity, a broad clinical scope in core and enhanced services, and a clear commitment to evidence-based practice, education and continuous improvement and development.
You will work alongside experienced optometry, ophthalmology, orthoptic and operational colleagues, contribute to business planning and strategic decision making, and help shape how services develop for the future. It is an excellent opportunity for a highly experienced hospital optometrist who aspires to combine an expert clinical role with optometry leadership and management.
What you will bring to the role- BSc (Hons) in Optometry and GOC registration
- Minimal of six years experience within Hospital Optometry
- Post-graduate higher clinical optometry qualifications, preferably including Independent Prescribing
- Expert knowledge and experience in core and enhanced services within Hospital Optometry and Ophthalmology
- Leadership experience in Hospital Optometry with the ability to manage staff and be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of optometric services
- Experience of clinical teaching and supervision of pre-registration and newly qualified optometrists
- Experience of research, audit and evidence-based practice
- Excellent communication skills
- The ability to work autonomously while providing visible professional leadership to others
Please see the attached job description for further information about this vacancy.
About Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS TrustOur Trust valuesThe Leeds Way is working together to support each other and deliver the best possible care to patients.
We are.Responsible Open and Honest One Team Kind
Our Trust prioritiesOur purpose: Excellent, safe and sustainable care for every patient every time
Our priorities: People Improvement and Innovation Partnerships Outcomes
Sponsorship Eligibility
To comply with UK Government regulations on Skilled Worker sponsorship, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold concessions set out under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please take this into consideration before submitting your application. Full guidance on these concessions, including details of who may qualify, can be found here.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- Please click apply to view applicant criteria
Desirable- Please click apply to view applicant criteria
ExperienceEssential- Please click apply to view applicant criteria
Desirable- Please click apply to view applicant criteria
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer detailsEmployer name: Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Address: St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact:Head of Optometry
Alison Weston
alison.weston3@nhs.net
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. 
