Senior Content Designer . Methods in Manchester

Methods helps modernise UK public sector services by delivering citizen-centred digital transformation for central government departments and agencies, improving efficiency and public service delivery.

Methods is a £100M+ IT services consultancy, UK-based and part of the Alten Group, that has partnered with central government departments and agencies for over 30 years. It delivers end-to-end business and technical solutions focused on transformation, collaboration and people-centred design. Predominantly public-sector focused, Methods is also building a private-sector client portfolio.

This is a permanent senior content designer position sitting within the Capabilities and IT Digital Advisory practice. The role is primarily remote but requires some UK travel and occasional stays away from home. You would support the lead content designer and be an active member of the Content Design Community of Practice.

What you would do:

• Plan, write and manage usable, accessible content in line with GDS/GOV.UK Content Design guidelines and standards.
• Produce content that is accurate, timely, relevant, easy to understand, search-engine optimised and meets style guidelines.
• Manage stakeholder relationships, explain content decisions clearly, and negotiate and influence where needed.
• Use analytical and problem-solving skills to help the team address design problems and challenge assumptions.
• Champion user-centred and accessible design practices across digital products and services.
• Contribute actively to the Content Design Community of Practice, sharing ideas and best practice.
• Take responsibility for content quality, including coaching and mentoring other content designers.
• Support the lead content designer with training and development plans, project planning, recruitment and sales and marketing activities.
• Help create a welcoming, inclusive team environment and encourage peer-to-peer support.

What they are looking for:

• Experience of evidence-based content design that meets GDS/GOV.UK standards, with a deep understanding of end-to-end user journeys and where improvements are needed.
• Experience working as a content designer in an agile environment, with the ability to advocate for content design in multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain digital products and the GDS Service Standard to non-specialist stakeholders.
• Proven stakeholder relationship management: negotiating, influencing, removing blockers and keeping focus on user needs.
• Strategic thinking: able to help lead the design and implementation of content strategies and evaluate their impact.
• Experience working closely with user researchers to inform content decisions.
• A commitment to putting accessibility at the heart of content design.
• A track record of ensuring content quality through regular review and continuous improvement.
• Useful but not essential: experience creating or updating prototypes (including coded prototypes using the GOV.UK Prototype Kit), and a proactive approach to diversity, equality and inclusion.

Working arrangements:

The role is remote-first with some UK travel required, including occasional overnight stays. Locations listed include Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Pay and benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy 5 additional days.
• Salary Exchange pension scheme with 4% employer and 5% employee contribution.
• Life assurance of 4 times base salary.
• Non-contributory private medical insurance (spouse and dependants included).
• Non-contributory worldwide travel insurance (spouse and dependants included).
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• 24/7 confidential employee assistance programme.
• Management development programme and training budget.
• 2 paid volunteering days per year.
• Season ticket loan and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Flexible working, including home working and part-time options.