At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and creation of engaging web content for UKRI's website.
- Company: Join UK Research and Innovation, a leader in advancing knowledge and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 30 days annual leave, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving user experiences on a vital public platform.
- Qualifications: Experience in web content design and a passion for user-centred solutions.
The predicted salary is between 38250 - 46750 £ per year.
Salary: 46,743. Band: UKRI Band E. Contract Type: Fixed Term until 31 March 2028. Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available). Location: Swindon - Hybrid working available including minimum of 2 days a week in office. Closing Date: Sunday 9 August 2026.
About the role
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a non-departmental public body that invests in research and innovation. Our mission is to advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth. The UKRI website is UKRI's primary owned external channel. It connects researchers, innovators, businesses and the public with authoritative, compelling content that demonstrates how publicly funded research and innovation improves lives, drives economic growth and supports national priorities.
The Web team provides strategic oversight of ukri.org, partnering with colleagues across UKRI to deliver the Lives and Livelihoods communications plan and support EAC's wider objectives. We help UKRI speak with one voice - through a website that is accurate, accessible and inspires confidence in all our audiences.
The Senior Web Content Designer reports to the Content Design Lead in the Web team, part of External Affairs, Communications and Public Engagement. The team is passionate about delivering a consistent, high-quality customer experience, building brand trust and harnessing digital innovation.
As a Senior Web Content Designer, your role is to lead on the design, creation, review and development of web page content on ukri.org in collaboration with subject experts from across the organisation.
Your responsibilities:
- Lead strategic content improvement projects, focusing effort on the highest priority areas, ensuring objectives are met and influencing senior partners to secure the right resources to support their strategic vision.
- Create, evaluate, update and review content strategies and solutions for ukri.org, using professional expertise, user understanding and evidence to drive continuous improvement.
- Ensure all web content meets high quality standards and accessibility requirements, and review other content designers' work to maintain consistency and quality across the site.
- Champion and participate in user research, playing an active role in journey mapping to better understand user needs and how the website and its content fits into the wider experience.
- Deliver workshops and training to colleagues across the organisation, acting as an advocate for content design, the website and Government Digital Standards.
- Build and maintain a network of internal and external stakeholders, fostering proactive collaborative working and establishing productive relationships with subject matter experts.
- Help colleagues and stakeholders understand what web content design is, why it's valuable and how to work effectively with content designers.
- Actively stay abreast of UKRI objectives and priorities, and proactively keep up to date with the latest content design best practice and thinking.
Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential
- Significant experience in a web content design role, making strategic decisions about content creation on a large, complex, information-rich website, ideally within a public sector or similarly regulated environment. (S&I)
- Robust experience writing, editing and publishing accessible digital content, applying Government Digital Standards, and working with content management systems, data analytics tools and workflow management systems. (S&I)
- Up-to-date knowledge of accessibility, including the needs of different users and assistive technologies, combined with exemplary editorial skills in writing plain, accessible language. (S&I)
- A deep understanding of end-to-end user journeys, including content structure and user experience, and experience applying user-centred design principles and clearly articulating decisions to stakeholders. (S&I)
- Experience using data, research and evidence to evaluate web content and drive improvements, including familiarity with prototyping tools and agile multidisciplinary team working. (S&I)
- Proven ability to negotiate with stakeholders, handle challenging situations and remove blockers, balancing business objectives with user needs — including putting forward the case for content design at a senior level. (S&I)
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain content decisions to non-experts, handle constructive criticism of your own work and provide constructive feedback on others. (S&I)
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A list of benefits below:
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
- Plus, many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org
Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
Senior Content Designer in Cheltenham employer: UKRI
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters professional growth and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee development, the LMB provides comprehensive training opportunities and encourages continuous learning, making it an ideal place for HR professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in the scientific community. Located in the vibrant Cambridge Biomedical Campus, employees benefit from a supportive culture that values innovation and teamwork, ensuring a rewarding career path in Human Resources.
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Show Off Your Passion for Learning:When applying for a role in digital learning and education at UKRI, make sure to sprinkle your application with examples of your enthusiasm for teaching and learning technologies. Share specific experiences where you've used, designed, or implemented digital learning solutions, as this shows us that you truly get the field.
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