Content Designer

Job summary

UK Research and Innovation
Salary: £37,841 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band D.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (23 Months).
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE)(flexible working available).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon- Hybrid working available (minimum of 2 days a week in the office).

Closing Date: Sunday 11th October 2026.

Interviews: Week Commencing Monday 2nd November 2026.

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, ukri.org, is a key external communications channel for the organisation. It is the front door to many other UKRI services, enabling the research and innovation community to find the right funding opportunities and support. The website raises awareness of UKRI strategy and policy and tells the story of our impact on society and the economy.

The Web Content Designer sits in the Web team, part of External Affairs, Communications and Public Engagement.

Job description

About the role

The Web team is a multidisciplinary team of content, product and delivery experts who drive forward the continuous improvement of the website, making it simpler and easier for people to understand and use.

As a Web Content Designer, your role is to ensure our web content is of a high standard, meets the needs of external audiences and is published in a timely way.

You will work on continuous improvement projects, coordinate content requests into the team, and help shape the standards and processes that underpin a usable, sustainable and accessible website.

Your responsibilities:

As a Web Content Designer, you will:

• Manage, edit and publish a range of content on ukri.org - including funding opportunities, impact stories, news and HTML publications - ensuring content is accurate, accessible and written in plain language for varied audiences.
• Scope and improve content based on user feedback, business need, research and data, finding opportunities to redesign existing content so it is easier to understand and presented in the right format.
• Ensure all content meets accessibility standards and Government Digital Standards, and that unneeded content is removed from the website in line with the content retention policy.
• Participate actively in user research and journey mapping to better understand user needs, staying up to date with how UKRI website users interact with and experience the site.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal partners and subject matter experts, influencing and negotiating to make decisions that work for external users and the organisation.
• Coordinate web content requests on a rota basis, working closely with the Delivery Manager to advise on content design needs and prioritise work as team or organisational priorities change.
• Shape content standards and guidance - including HTML, 2i processes, CMS use and accessibility - and support team training and upskilling.
• Take an active role in continuous improvement projects (EPICs), contribute to the improvement of web team workflows and participate in content design and team ceremonies as required.
• Participate in the out-of-hours web publishing rota (additional allowance given).

Person specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential

• Experience working as a content designer or web editor, with a track record of drafting, editing and publishing accessible digital content to GDS standards using content management systems on a large, information-rich website (S&I).
• Strong editorial, copywriting and proofreading skills, with the ability to simplify complex content and write in plain, accessible language for varied external audiences (S&I).
• A sound understanding of user-centred content design - including how to identify and apply user needs based on evidence - and a commitment to developing your practice in this area (S&I).
• Experience using data and analytics tools to evaluate content performance and implement evidence-based improvements, alongside a working knowledge of SEO principles and how they apply to content development (S&I).
• Experience working with stakeholders to collaborate on content, with a proven ability to build positive working relationships, understand other perspectives and navigate feedback constructively (S&I).
• Knowledge of accessibility requirements - including the needs of different users and assistive technologies - and experience applying Government Digital Standards in a content role (S&I).
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent pieces of work to different deadlines, adapting to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment (S&I).
• Experience improving content processes, guidelines and standards, and the ability to train colleagues either in groups or one-to-one (S&I).

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,841, UK Research and Innovation contributes £10,962 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. UKRI 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:

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : UKRI Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org