_{23rd August, 2026}

Head of Education & Research

Executive leadership role reporting to the Chief Executive Officer
Part-time, 0.8 FTE, ongoing
Flexible hybrid / work from home or nearest Optometry Australia office
Peak professional body for Australian optometrists

Optometry Australia is the peak professional body for optometry in Australia, representing more than 6,000 members and committed to supporting them with essential services, resources and advocacy that enable them to thrive in the ever-evolving optometry sector.

The Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and leading a team of eight across continuing professional development, publications, and professional practice and standards, you will hold executive-level ownership of Optometry Australia's education, clinical guidance and research portfolio.

You will lead the design, delivery and evaluation of the continuing professional development program, oversee the quality assurance of education offerings, guide the development of evidence-based clinical resources, and help co-design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health leaders the implementation of Optometry Australia's commitment to culturally safe optometry care across the profession and the organisation. As a member of the Executive Team, you will contribute to organisation-wide strategy, planning and culture.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of the education portfolio, clinical guidance and priority research initiatives, aligned to Optometry Australia's strategic goals.
Oversee the continuing professional development program for members across face-to-face events, webinars and online learning, ensuring content aligns with members' learning needs, entry-level competency standards and evolving areas of clinical practice.
Oversee the quality assurance function that supports members to identify and access quality-assured content from external CPD providers.
Lead the implementation and ongoing evolution of the Advanced Practice Recognition program and other professional practice pathways.
Oversee the development of evidence-based clinical guidance resources, including Optometry Australia's clinical practice guidelines.
Co-design, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and eye health experts, Optometry Australia's commitment to a culturally safe optometry profession, embedding culturally safe and responsive practice across the profession and within the organisation, privileging First Nations perspectives and delivered in partnership with First Nations organisations.
Oversee the coordination required to support the ongoing delivery of Clinical and Experimental Optometry as a quality scientific journal.
Lead and manage strategic research projects, and oversee the analysis of research and data relevant to the changing context of the optometry sector.
Build and manage relationships with universities, schools of optometry, researchers and other education and research organisations.
Lead, support and develop a team of eight, setting clear priorities and maintaining quality, consistency and a collaborative team culture.
Contribute as an active member of the Executive Team to strategic planning, cross-departmental delivery and reporting to the Board and advisory bodies.

Key Selection Criteria
Success in this role requires not only strong skills and expertise but also alignment with the core values of Optometry Australia - integrity, respect and teamwork. You are a collaborative and considered leader who supports a high-performing, autonomous team through mentoring and clear direction rather than close oversight.

Essential

A relevant tertiary qualification in optometry, health, education or a related discipline, together with postgraduate qualifications in clinical or higher education, or a research higher degree.
Three to five years' experience designing and delivering clinical or health education within a university or other institute of higher education.
Demonstrated experience developing education programs end to end, including learning outcomes, assessments, competency standards, quality assurance and evaluation.
Proven ability to translate research into clinical practice and into practical, evidence-based resources for practitioners.
Completion of cultural safety education, and demonstrated cultural humility in building and maintaining relationships with First Nations organisations and communities.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex clinical and academic information into clear, audience-appropriate content.
Proven experience leading capable, autonomous teams, with the ability to set clear priorities, coach and provide constructive feedback.
Well-developed stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to work effectively with academics, universities and sector bodies.
Willingness to present at conferences and host online webinars, with flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Desirable

A background in optometry or eye health, or a sound working knowledge of the clinical eye health environment.
Experience within a peak body, membership organisation or not-for-profit.

Benefits of Working with Optometry Australia
At Optometry Australia, you will be joining a flexible and supportive team within an organisation that truly values its people. Optometry Australia offers a range of benefits designed to support your professional growth and personal well-being:

Salary Packaging: Access to not-for-profit salary packaging that can increase your take-home pay.
Flexible Working Environment: Enjoy the option of working remotely or from the Optometry Australia office, with the flexibility to manage your work-life balance.
Professional Development: Optometry Australia is committed to your growth. Access agreed and appropriate professional development annually, including on-the-job coaching, online webinars, training sessions and face-to-face workshops.
Extra Leave Benefits: Celebrate your birthday with an additional paid day off and enjoy extra paid leave between Christmas and New Year. Plus, you have the option to work on a public holiday and take another day off in lieu.
Supportive Team Culture: Be part of a team that values collaboration, innovation and mutual respect. We work together to achieve our goals while supporting each other's success.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the education, clinical guidance and research agenda for the national peak body for optometry in Australia.

How to Apply
If you are an experienced educator with a strong ability to translate research into curriculum and program design, please apply with an up-to-date resume and cover letter via the link below, or contact Gabrielle Patterson at Patterson Recruitment on 0416 170 100 for a confidential discussion.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected and valued. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ individuals, neurodivergent individuals, and people of all backgrounds. We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences enrich our workplace and drive our success. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know, and we will ensure your needs are met.

Patterson Recruitment

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