Accessibility Lead

Rakuten Kobo; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking an Accessibility Lead to champion accessibility initiatives and enhance user experiences. This role involves strategic oversight of accessibility programs, ensuring compliance with standards, and fostering collaboration across teams. You'll provide guidance on technical solutions and lead audits to improve accessibility practices. Join a company that values creativity and growth while making a significant impact on the reading experiences of millions. If you're passionate about inclusivity and technology, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment

Subsidized in-office lunches

Full benefits starting from your first day

Paid Volunteer days

Unlimited sick days

3% RRSP matching

Monthly commuting allowance

Lifestyle spending account

Talent and development training budget

Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook

Qualifications

• Experience in leading accessibility programs and teams.
• Strong communication skills with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to develop and implement accessibility strategies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the accessibility program and team.
• Communicate accessibility requirements and compliance status.
• Provide technical oversight on accessibility implementation.

Skills

Communication

Business Strategy and Planning

Leadership and Guidance

Technical Ability

Testing

User Focus

Job description

Job Description:

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc. we offer a casual working start-up environment and a group of friendly and talented individuals. Our employees rank us highly in terms of commitment to work/life balance. We realize that for our people to be innovative, creative and passionate they need to feel valued and supported. We believe in rewarding all our employees with competitive salaries, performance based annual bonuses, stock options and training opportunities.
If you’re looking for a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth – join Kobo and come help us on our mission of making reading lives better.

The Role:

The Accessibility Lead is responsible for overseeing the accessibility program and team. Responsibilities include communicating cross-functionally with teams and leadership about accessibility requirements, upcoming compliance deadlines, compliance status, opportunities for accessibility improvements, and developing an accessibility strategy that fits with overall company goals.

The Accessibility Lead will also be responsible for overseeing the accessibility team's work with other teams to implement accessibility into design, development, and delivery processes. This role will provide technical oversight and guidance on accessibility implementation and priorities for the organization.

Skills:

Communication:

• Mediate between people, communicating with stakeholders at all levels
• Manage stakeholder expectations and host or moderate discussions about high risk and complexity, even within constrained timescales
• Provide specific project and program requirements to allow teams to succeed
• Communicating program progress during its lifecycle to the relevant stakeholders

Business Strategy and Planning:

• Uunderstand the business' short and long term goals and initiatives and aligning actions with goals
• Foreseeing possible risks and challenges that teams may encounter during the program's execution
• Participate in developing a roadmap for the program

Leadership and Guidance:

• Change organizational structures to fixable and sustainable designs
• Contribute to the strategy for the whole organization, marrying business needs with innovative analysis
• Make and justify decisions characterized by high levels of risk, impact and complexity
• Build consensus between teams or highly independent and diverse stakeholders
• Solve and unblock issues between teams or departments
• Ensure that the program teams have the proper training and resources needed to meet their respective objectives

Technical Ability:

• Demonstrate knowledge and communicate the requirements of accessibility standards and legislation
• Develop and communicate appropriate technical solutions to a range of accessibility issues
• Perform detailed audits of websites, services and documents, and document findings clearly for others to work from
• Lead accessibility subject matter experts in performing audits and improving audit processes
• Be an advocate for the people affected by accessibility barriers
• Develop and provide introductory awareness and training about accessibility
• Demonstrate confidence using one or more assistive technologies, and knowledge of others

Testing:

• Coordinate the planning of system and acceptance tests, combining both functional and non-functional specifications
• Provide authoritative advice and guidance on test planning
• Identify and implement process improvements and contribute to the definition of best practice

User Focus:

• Give direction on which tools or methods to use
• Demonstrate experience in meeting the needs of users across a variety of channels
• Bring insight and expertise in how user needs have changed over time to ensure they're met by the business
• Apply strategic thinking to provide the best service for the end user

The Perks:

• Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment
• Subsidized in-office lunches
• Full benefits starting from your first day
• Paid Volunteer days, unlimited sick days, and 3% RRSP matching
• Monthly commuting allowance for those who are hybrid
• Lifestyle spending account
• Talent and development training budget
• Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook
• Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
• Maternity/paternity leave top up
• Dog friendly office

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.
Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the most advanced global ecommerce companies, with the world’s most innovative e-reading services offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million + customers in 190 countries. Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps. Kobo is a part of the Rakuten group of companies.

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

Rakuten Kobo would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role however only qualified candidates will be shortlisted.

Beware of fraudulent job offers claiming to be from Rakuten. Rakuten does not send unsolicited job offers or request money during the recruitment process. Learn more: https://rakutenemploymentalert.com/

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