We’re looking for a senior GOV.UK content designer to join our team. You will work as part of the Digital Communications Team (DCT) on Department for Education (DfE) specialist content on GOV.UK.

• You will be a skilled editor with excellent attention to detail. You will also know how to write simply and clearly, with the user in mind, and you will have the confidence to champion high-quality content within the organisation. 
• You will work on high profile online content, making sure it supports other channels including customer contact, news and social media.
• You’ll have extensive web-based content expertise, putting user centred design at the heart of your work and championing simplicity, accessibility and ease of use.

The Department for Education (DfE) is one of the largest and highest profile departments in government. We oversee and deliver policy across all stages of education and children’s services, affecting and involving the public, parents, children, teachers and other professionals.  

DCT is made up of professional content designers and communication managers. We look after public consultations and over 10,000 DfE GOV.UK webpages that reach over 2 million people a month. We use our expertise to help the department provide people with trusted information. We pride ourselves on information being easy to find, understand and use.  

We create and improve content and ensure it meets a user need, is up to date, and complies with the latest standards. We deliver insight into how well the content we manage is performing and act on feedback. We use this to innovate, improve and provide a better service for our users. 

You will join a high-performing team who are committed to making a strong investment in the personal and professional development of our people, and you will be supported and encouraged to develop your talent and skills. 

You will:

• Review, write, edit and publish content that meets departmental needs as well as those of our users on GOV.UK to strict deadlines using content management systems.
• Make sure that GOV.UK content is user-centred and consistently meets publishing standards.  
• Use analytical skills (including Google Analytics) to evaluate the effectiveness of GOV.UK content and identify ways to improve it based on data and user feedback. 
• Evaluate customer journeys on GOV.UK and make sure they are the best they can be – identifying content gaps and overlaps.
• Provide advice to colleagues across the department on user centred content design.
• Collaborate and be part of a close-knit team, working to provide the best possible customer service for our users and contributing to the team’s strategic objectives.
• Coordinate programmes of content improvement across the team, planning and coordinating projects with clear evaluation and success measures.
• Work with colleagues to develop and use insight, interpreting research to better understand the needs of our users.
• Increase digital understanding across the department by acting as an advocate for the benefits of digital by default, running training and presenting to colleagues.

​You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to the work of our Ministerial and Public Communications Division (MPCD) which communicates directly with the public, parliament and professionals about all aspects of DfE business. 

Essential Criteria:  

• Web-based content design or editorial experience with proven ability to create online content that is accessible and user-centred, using a content management system (CMS) and a style guide.
• Ability to interpret complex content and convert into clear understandable messaging which helps users achieve their goals and supports wider communications.
• Ability to challenge constructively, using data to support your position, whilst being able to compromise where appropriate to create effective content which meets the interests of both internal and external customers.

Desirable Criteria: 

• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to work calmly even when faced with fast-paced, high-pressure situations.   
• Experience of working in government communications or a political environment.
• Strong analytical skills, converting data to insight with the ability to report in various formats.
• Experience of working on GOV.UK, adhering to Government Digital Service (GDS) design principles.
• Experience of working with wider government digital and communications teams, including service design, in order to create consistent user journeys across multiple channels.
• Understanding of social media and wider communications channels, integrating content into wider campaigns.
• Experience of working in an Agile environment.

Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision. 

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• GCS CORE Communications – Implementation
• GCS CORE Communications – Impact

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies. 
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK. 

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role. 

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered. 

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.