GOC Council Associate - DO/CLO
Posted on December 16, 2025 by GOC
Part-time
Job title
GOC Council Associate - DO/CLO
Job description
The General Optical Council is looking to appoint two new Council Associates – one dispensing optician/contact lens optician and one optometrist. The Associate role is aimed at early years professionals.
Launched in 2021, the GOC’s Council Associate scheme has proven a success for both the individuals participating and the GOC’s decision-making. Council Associates have gained first-hand experience of board and committee governance, while providing broader opinions and perspectives around the Council table that help the GOC better represent the diverse needs of its registrants, staff, and other stakeholder groups.
Council Associates will attend all Council meetings, where they are encouraged to engage with the dialogue and share their thoughts. They will also attend the GOC’s Audit, Risk, and Finance Committee to maximise their transferable experience of governance. Throughout their term, Associates will be supported with development workshops, regular check-ins with their dedicated mentor, and ongoing assistance from the Governance Team.
The Council meets in public and private a minimum of eight times a year (a two-day meeting in March, June, September, and December each year, plus occasional strategy days). In the interest of transparency, the Council conducts most of its business in public, and most Council meetings are held online via MS Teams.
Council Associate roles are unpaid. Associates can claim reasonable expenses for
travel and accommodation as set out in our expenses policy.
The appointed Associates will be expected to commit approximately 1.5 days per
month to the scheme. The appointment will be for a maximum of two years (1 April 2026 – 31 March 2028)
The GOC is committed to diversifying the membership of its panels and committees to bring them further in line with its registrant base. Applications from those who identify as disabled or are from ethnic minority backgrounds are particularly welcomed, as these groups are currently under-represented.
See the candidate pack for more information on the role and how to apply. The deadline for applications is Sunday 18 January 2026.
Please contact appointment@optical.org with any questions, quoting reference GOC06/25 on all correspondence.