At a Glance
- Tasks: Create user-friendly content that transforms public sector operations and enhances user experiences.
- Company: Join a leading IT Services Consultancy with over 30 years of experience in government partnerships.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, wellness support, and generous annual leave plus volunteering days.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant team culture with exciting social events and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in society while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in content design and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Methods is a £100M+ IT Services Consultancy that partners with central government departments and agencies to transform public sector operations. Established over 30 years ago, we apply our skills in transformation, delivery, and collaboration from across the Methods Group to create end‑to‑end business and technical solutions that are people‑centred, safe, and designed for the future.
Location: Remote and client site.
Your role
We are recruiting for a Senior Content Designer on a permanent basis. You will have a passion for making things easier for people to understand to help users complete their goal. You will have experience of working in a public sector environment, with a working knowledge of standards and principles such as the Service Standard.
Responsibilities
- Planning, writing and managing usable and accessible content in line with GDS/GOV.UK Content Design guidelines and standards
- Producing content that is accurate, timely, relevant, easy to understand, search engine optimised and meets style guidelines
- Managing stakeholders and building successful relationships with them, including explaining content decisions
- Using analytical and problem‑solving skills to help the team solve design problems and challenge assumptions
- Championing user‑centred design practices for digital products and services
- Advocating for accessible digital products and services
- Being an active part of the Content Design Community of Practice, including sharing ideas, best practice and proactively offering help and support
- Taking responsibility for content quality, including coaching and mentoring content designers
- Supporting team members’ learning, skills growth and career progression
- Line managing members of the content design team – offering project support, holding 1:1s, conducting probation reviews and appraisals, approving timecards, expenses and leave
- Supporting the Head of Content, including training and development plans, project planning, recruitment activities, and sales and marketing activities
- Helping create a welcoming, safe and inclusive team environment – encouraging mutual peer‑to‑peer support, and helping individuals achieve a good work‑life balance
Skills we are looking for
- Experience of evidence‑based content design that meets GDS/GOV.UK standards, including a deep understanding of end‑to‑end journeys and ability to identify journey fixes or content improvements
- Working as a content designer in an agile environment – advocating the role of content design in multidisciplinary teams and encouraging healthy working relationships with other disciplines
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills: conveying information to a variety of audiences, e.g. talking about digital products and the GDS Service Standard in a way that stakeholders understand
- Stakeholder relationship management: effectively negotiating and influencing stakeholders, building strategic relationships, communicating regularly and removing blockers while keeping the focus on user needs
- Strategic thinking: leading the design and implementation of strategies, evaluating their impact and progress to meet business objectives and user needs
- Understanding user needs: working closely with user researchers to gain insights and make decisions based on findings
- Accessibility: putting accessibility at the heart of content design approaches and encouraging others to do the same
- People management: ensuring the quality of junior colleagues, coaching and guiding them to improve
- Ensuring quality: regularly reviewing and evaluating content, contributing to continuous improvements and iterations
Additional skills and behaviours
- Proactive approach to environmental issues, embedding environmental responsibility in practices and encouraging clients to consider innovative solutions within the scope of work
- Proactive approach to diversity, equality and inclusion, internally and with clients
- Experience in creating and updating prototypes, from paper sketches to coded prototypes (e.g. using the GOV.UK Prototype Kit)
Benefits
- Autonomy to develop and grow your skills and experience
- Be part of exciting project work that is making a difference in society
- Strong, inspiring and thought‑provoking leadership
- A supportive and collaborative environment
- Development: access to LinkedIn Learning, a management development programme, and training
- Wellness: 24/7 confidential employee assistance programme
- Flexible Working: including home working and part time
- Social: office parties, breakfast Tuesdays, monthly pizza Thursdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and commitment to charitable causes
- Time Off: 25 days of annual leave a year, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy 5 extra days each year
- Volunteering: 2 paid days per year to volunteer in local communities or within a charity organisation
- Pension: Salary Exchange Scheme with 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution
- Discretionary Company Bonus: based on company and individual performance
- Life Assurance: of 4 times base salary
- Private Medical Insurance: non‑contributory (spouse and dependants included)
- Worldwide Travel Insurance: non‑contributory (spouse and dependants included)
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
- Travel: season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
Industries: IT Services and IT Consulting
Senior Content Designer in Manchester employer: Methods
Methods is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee development through access to training and wellness programmes, team members are empowered to grow their skills while contributing to meaningful projects that positively impact society. The hybrid working model and commitment to work-life balance further enhance the appeal of joining this forward-thinking consultancy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Content Designer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working at Methods. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on what they’re really looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best content design work, especially projects that align with GDS/GOV.UK standards. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by rehearsing answers to common questions about user-centred design and stakeholder management. We want you to feel confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Methods.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Content Designer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Content Designer role. Highlight your experience with GDS/GOV.UK standards and any public sector work you've done. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for user-centred design shine through in your application. Share examples of how you've made content easier to understand and how you've championed accessibility in your previous roles. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely passionate about what they do!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, so show us you can do that right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at Methods!
How to prepare for a job interview at Methods
✨Know Your Content Design Standards
Familiarise yourself with GDS/GOV.UK Content Design guidelines before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these standards in your previous roles, especially in public sector environments. This shows you understand the importance of user-centred design and can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed stakeholders in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate complex content decisions clearly and build strong relationships. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and interpersonal skills, which are crucial for this role.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Think of specific instances where you've used analytical skills to solve design problems. Be ready to explain your thought process and how you arrived at your solutions. This will show that you can tackle challenges effectively and contribute to continuous improvement.
✨Emphasise Your People Management Experience
If you've had experience coaching or mentoring junior colleagues, be sure to highlight this. Discuss how you've supported their growth and ensured quality in their work. This is key for the Senior Content Designer role, as you'll be responsible for guiding others in the team.
