About the job

Summary

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is part of the Cabinet Office. We lead the digital transformation of the UK government so that it works better for everyone.

Following our Government Design Principles, we deliver platforms, standards and digital services to help departments transform how they work and meet the needs of their users.

Our work is user-focused, dynamic and forward-looking, making our organisation an exciting and innovative place to work.

Job description

As a content team lead (known as content product lead in GDS), you will direct and support teams to make government services and information as helpful as possible, working closely with content designers at all levels to make things easier for people to understand and use. You will work with senior stakeholders to solve problems, improve processes and advocate for best practice content design.

You will:

• lead and develop a team of content designers and/or content designers in multidisciplinary product teams

• work with other leads and management on your programme to coordinate priorities

• help to identify content design recruitment needs, supporting or leading recruitment campaigns, as required

• continuously raise content quality within the team and contribute to raising and maintaining quality across the GDS content community

• provide hands-on content design support and design content, as required

• work with departments and agencies across government to identify strategic priorities, making sure content on GOV.UK meets the needs of users and GDS content standards

• build and maintain effective and productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders

• collaborate with delivery managers on prioritisation and delivery of workload

• use data analytics, user feedback, user research and other sources of information to draw up proposals for content principles, improvements and patterns

• provide content design expertise and consultancy to your programme, to other GDS teams and across government

• collaborate with content leadership across GDS on cross-organisation and cross-government projects

Responsibilities

We’re interested in people who have skills and experience of the following:

• Team leadership / management: you have experience of leading and/or managing teams in a digital environment. You can deliver large-scale and complex content projects. You understand how to support teams to build and develop content design skills and capability.

• Stakeholder management: you are an expert at building effective relationships with stakeholders and know how to address their issues while maintaining content quality. You are really good at negotiating and influencing others to achieve objectives.

• Content strategy: you take a strategic approach to content development work. You have developed and delivered content strategies that inform digital planning and priorities. You can propose, improve and implement new processes effectively.

• Content design: you have significant experience in producing high-quality content, with experience of producing accessible content that meets user needs. You know how to use data, analytics, user feedback and user research to direct teams to create, improve and iterate content.

• Communication skills: you have excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate decisions and priorities effectively to your team, as well as report upwards to ensure that senior managers are kept informed.

• Prioritisation: you can work to tight deadlines under pressure and understand how to prioritise work. You have significant experience of project management, including being able to coordinate several projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities.

Please note this role can be based in London, Manchester, Bristol, York, Birmingham and Glasgow.

GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home/remote working and also spends some time in their local office. You will agree your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business need.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates that do not pass the interview, however have demonstrated an acceptable standard will be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

The selection process consists of:

• an application screening process

• a task

• an interview and short presentation, which will be required at interview stage

You’ll need to send us a CV and cover letter. Your application will not be considered if you do not provide a cover letter.

Your CV should show us your work history and previous experience. It should be well structured, succinct and written in clear language.

Your cover letter should give examples of how your skills and experience match those needed for this role.

Benefits

• learning and development tailored to your role

• an environment with flexible working options

• a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

• a Civil Service pension

• 25 days annual leave + an extra day off for the Queen's birthday

• flexible working options to enable you to achieve the work life balance that right for you including part-time, flexi time and job sharing

• civil service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

• training and development opportunities

• interest free season ticket, tenancy deposits and holiday advances

• an in-year bonus scheme

• bike loans

• eye care vouchers

• on site showers

• mothers room

• multi-faith room

• secure bike parking (subject to availability)

• quiet spaces and cafe/wine bar

• free networks and clubs

Any move to Government Digital Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk