Senior Accessibility Specialist

Join to apply for the Senior Accessibility Specialist role at Manchester Digital.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government, responsible for setting, leading and delivering a modern digital vision. Our priorities include joining up public sector services, harnessing AI for the public good, strengthening digital infrastructure, elevating leadership, funding outcomes and committing to transparency. GDS operates across the UK with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol, providing a platform for highly-skilled digital professionals to drive national impact.

Responsibilities

• Help set strategy and standards for inclusive and accessible digital services.
• Deliver the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and Blueprint for Modern Digital Government commitments.
• Manage cross‑government and public sector accessibility and digital inclusion communities and associated events.
• Evolve and grow capability to deliver commitments and manage regulatory risks.
• Be a credible subject matter expert, applying and developing expertise in digital service transformation.
• Define and measure success in accessibility and inclusion.
• Collaborate with Service Transformation, GDS, and the broader public sector.
• Continuously improve performance, seek feedback and adopt best practice.

Qualifications

• Experience collaborating with teams to identify and fix accessibility barriers and raise capability.
• Ability to write accessibility guidance, documentation, training, and presentations.
• Experience evaluating digital websites and providing actionable feedback.
• Knowledge of WCAG 2.2 and emerging guidelines and standards.
• Familiarity with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and WAI‑ARIA front‑end technologies.
• Experience testing with assistive technologies, customised browser settings, screen readers, speech recognition and literacy software.

Benefits

• Flexible hybrid working, flexi‑time, part‑time or condensed hours.
• Civil Service Pension with 28.97% employer contribution.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by one day each year up to 30 days.
• Extra day off for the King’s birthday.
• In‑year bonus scheme recognising high performance.
• Career progression, coaching and a personal development training budget.
• Paid volunteering leave.
• Wellbeing support via an employee assistance programme.
• Job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and inclusive.
• Advances on pay, including travel season ticket subsidies.
• Death in service benefits.
• Cycle to work scheme and facilities.
• Access to employee discounts and learning days.
• Volunteering opportunities with special leave days.
• Access to Civil Service learning activities.

Office Attendance

Staff are expected to attend the office or a non‑home location for 40–60% of time over an accounting period, with flexible options for occasional home working.

Selection Process

The process includes:

• A screening stage requiring a CV and a cover letter (≤750 words) outlining how you meet the person specification.
• A 60‑minute video interview.
• Optional additional stage – phone interview or technical exercise, depending on applicant volume.

Recruitment Timeline

• Sift completion: Week commencing Monday 27th October 2025.
• Panel interviews: Starting Friday 7th November 2025.
• Reserve list held for 12 months for future appointments.

Sponsorship

DSIT cannot offer visa sponsorship for this campaign. DSIT holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not qualify.